Advocacy
What’s Happening Now
The role of the Asheville Area Arts Council is to work with local community leaders and key strategic partners to form strong partnerships that support and advance the efforts of the local creative sector for the benefit of Buncombe County.
See our COVID-19 for pandemic news and resources.
Local Candidates
Asheville City Council Candidates
Buncombe County Commissioner Candidates
Chairman
Brownie Newman (DEM)
Robert Pressley (REP)
District 1
Terri Wells (DEM)
Glenda P. Weinert (REP)
District 2
Jasmine Beach-Ferrara (DEM)
Anthony Penland (REP)
District 3
Parker Sloan (DEM)
Joe Blecher (REP)
Election Information
North Carolina ArtsVote Pledge
As an arts advocate, I want to join the ArtsVote movement to educate and encourage all artists and arts advocates to make their vote count by taking action early. State election rules and deadlines have completely changed this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I will not allow my vote to be suppres…
Buncombe County Candidate Arts Survey
Arts Council staff sent all six Buncombe County Commissioner candidates a five-question survey, asking their positions on Buncombe County’s creative sector. Sadly, Comissioner Mike Fryar passed away suddenly last week. All of the five remaining candidates – Terri Wells (D), Nancy Nelson (D), Anthony Penland (R), Parker Sloan (D), and Donna Ensley (D) – responded. See their full responses below.
Asheville City Council Candidate Arts Survey
Arts council staff sent all nine Asheville City Council candidates a four-question survey, asking their positions on Asheville’s creative sector. Seven of the nine candidates – Kristen Goldsmith, Rich Lee, Shane McCarthy, Kim Roney, Nicole Townsend, Sage Turner, and Keith Young – responded. See their full responses below.
Community Initiatives
Coronavirus Relief Legislation includes Unprecedented $9.4M in Aid for Arts
Coronavirus Relief Legislation includes Unprecedented $9.4M in Aid for Arts Today, the NC General Assembly passed coronavirus relief legislation (H1105) that provided $9.4 MILLION in emergency aid to the arts, the largest arts allocation in the State’s history. It is
Vance Monument Taskforce
On June 26 2020 the Board and Commission Committee voted on the formation of a joint task force with Buncombe County for the removal or repurposing of the Vance Monument. The Vance Monument Task Force will be composed of 12 people six (6) appointments from both the City and County respectively. In a…
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African American Heritage Project | Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau
In 2018, the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA) awarded funding to two projects that will contribute to establishing an African American Heritage District that honors the rich heritage of the African American community in Asheville.
Haywood/Page Master Plan and Conceptual Design | The City of Asheville
Happening Now
The City of Asheville is moving forward with the creation of a master concept plan for City-owned properties on Haywood Street and Page Avenue. The creation of this plan is the next step to implement the community vision for the properties outlined in the Haywood and Page Vision Rep…
The City of Asheville is moving forward with the creation of a master concept plan for City-owned properties on Haywood Street and Page Avenue. The creation of this plan is the next step to implement the community vision for the properties outlined in the Haywood and Page Vision Rep…
Arts Market Study Reflects Significant Demand for Affordable Housing
The Arts Market Study recommends an initial housing project that includes 168 units of affordable housing for artists/ creatives and 81 additional units of affordable studio space located at the City’s “Ice House” site at 81-91 Riverside Drive.
Hotel Development Study | The City of Asheville
Happening Now
In September, Asheville City Council approved a temporary moratorium on the approval of new hotels, which means that no hotel development applications will be approved for a year. The purpose of the moratorium is to allow the City time to further study the issues surrounding tourism…
In September, Asheville City Council approved a temporary moratorium on the approval of new hotels, which means that no hotel development applications will be approved for a year. The purpose of the moratorium is to allow the City time to further study the issues surrounding tourism…
Funding Discussions
Tourism Management & Investment Plan (TMIP) | Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA) approved funding for a yearlong community engagement process to better manage tourism and plan investments for the next decade, while maintaining the character and integrity of the region.
Strategic Partnership Funds | The City of Asheville
The Community Development is pleased to announce the upcoming opening of the 2020-21 Strategic Partnership Fund (SPF) grant application. The SPF grant application will open on Friday, January 17, 2020 and will close on Friday, March 6, 2020 at 5 p.m. Please note that the timeline for SPF grants ha…
Additional Resources
Americans for the Arts Advocacy Hub
Anyone can Advocate for the Arts and have impact. Americans for the Arts provides tools, research, and training that help arts professionals and regular citizens alike become seasoned arts advocates. This Advocate Hub highlights ways you can get involved and start advocating for the arts today.