ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — ArtsAVL has released a draft recovery framework aimed at helping rebuild and strengthen the arts and culture sector in western North Carolina after Helene.
ArtsAVL, an advisory group of art leaders who represent the creative economy, released this draft recovery framework after nearly a year of research and collaboration involving local government, tourism and business leaders, cultural organizations and hundreds of artists. It focuses on making arts and culture a larger part of the region’s long-term economic recovery and development strategy.
The framework includes 26 recommendations centered on improving cultural infrastructure, supporting arts businesses, expanding creative spaces and better coordinating the systems that support artists and art organizations.
ASHEVILLE'S RIVER ARTS DISTRICT RANKED NO. 1 ON USA TODAY'S BEST ARTS DISTRICTS LIST
Jeffrey Burroughs, president of the River Arts District Artists (RADA), said that there has never been a plan like this before.
“It’s more than just making things better than they were before. We want to do more than just recover from Helene,” they said.
A takeaway from the plan is that arts and culture are deeply connected to the region’s economy. Burroughs said that success will depend on all sectors working together.
Carol Spagnuola, an artist and RADA board member, said this draft is about helping artists thrive.
“Our local economy thrives on supporting the artists, but so does the tourism, and so if we don’t continue to support our artists’ community and that goes away, then I think a lot of what Asheville is also kind of starts to dissipate,” she said.
NEW RIVER ARTS DISTRICT HOTEL TO PARTNER WITH ARTISTS, BUSINESSES IN HELENE RECOVERY
Explore Asheville explained that tourism supports more than 9,200 jobs and fuels a $1.64 billion creative economy in Buncombe County. A 2025 creative economy snapshot also found that the arts and entertainment sector generated 38.1% of all business revenue.
Burroughs said this plan gives opportunity, but now they have to put it into action.
“We’ve got to work together to make it real. Maybe we can not just heal this community, but build something that you and I can be super proud of,” they said.
The draft is available to the public at this link. A survey is available for the next two weeks to provide input. The final draft will be released in July.
