The creative economy in Asheville and Buncombe County depends on the engagement and advocacy of community members.

On Monday, October 30, join ArtsAVL at The Orange Peel for the annual State of the Arts Brunch. The brunch will feature the annual State of the Arts Address from ArtsAVL’s Executive Director, Katie Cornell, as well as remarks from City of Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer (who will share an update on Thomas Wolfe Auditorium) and Buncombe County Commissioner Terri Wells. Michael Manes (Blue Spiral 1) will also present the John Cram Arts Leadership Award (the “Crammy”) to Brian and Gail McCarthy.

The brunch offers not only the opportunity to connect with area artists and arts organizations, but also to learn and share resources and information at a critical time for Asheville and Buncombe County. ArtsAVL’s Executive Director Katie Cornell will share the State of the Arts Address – a report on the present and future of the arts in Asheville and Buncombe County. The update will highlight topics including the 2023 Creative Economy Report and the just-released Arts and Economic Prosperity Report, an impact study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry in the U.S. conducted approximately every five years. This report gauges the economic impact of spending by nonprofit arts and cultural organizations and the event-related spending by their audiences.

Join ArtsAVL to show your support and see other members of our creative community with food from 67 Biltmore and coffee from Cooperative Coffee.