The AAAC vision is a collaborative and thriving arts ecology recognized for its critical role in the economic and social health of Buncombe County, NC. The AAAC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit institution whose mission is to strengthen the vitality and visibility of the creative community through advocacy, support and exposure.

The AAAC fulfills its mission through:

• Leveraging relationships with the creative community as well as public and private partnerships

• Direct funding

• Access to resources

• Professional development initiatives • Audience development

• Diverse programming Greater Asheville is widely recognized as one of the nation's premier arts destinations.

Those of us who are fo... more

The AAAC vision is a collaborative and thriving arts ecology recognized for its critical role in the economic and social health of Buncombe County, NC. The AAAC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit institution whose mission is to strengthen the vitality and visibility of the creative community through advocacy, support and exposure.

The AAAC fulfills its mission through:

• Leveraging relationships with the creative community as well as public and private partnerships

• Direct funding

• Access to resources

• Professional development initiatives • Audience development

• Diverse programming Greater Asheville is widely recognized as one of the nation's premier arts destinations.

Those of us who are fortunate to live here as artists, audience members, venue operators, educators and financial supporters recognize, however, that our creative community needs a stronger infrastructure if is to continue giving Asheville/Buncombe County an edge as a dynamic place to visit, live and work. That's where the AAAC comes in. Our job is to do the heavy lifting required to strengthen the vitality and visibility of the creative community through advocacy and research, capacity building of our artists, marketing and audience development, and grant making.

Our programs and services have been chosen to be affordable, strategic, and supporting the relationship of arts and culture to community building, and to strengthen the economy of the creative sector. T

he AAAC is working on three major initiatives to guide visitors and county residents to the arts, artists and related resources in Buncombe County:

• Individualized Concierge Service to the Region's Culture

• Cultural Resource Registry

• Community Arts Calendar

Services also include the Resource Center for the Arts, a one-on-one continuing education opportunity where essential business management skills can be acquired, and software and other tools accessed.

The AAAC hosts the region's only networking and informational arts conference, the Creative Sector Summit. Each month, AAAC sponsors Creative Forums whose purpose is to elevate the networking, professional development, mentoring and advocacy opportunities for the Asheville area's creative professionals.

AAAC offers a number of benefits to arts organizations that are members. The ARTery is AAAC's headquarters in Asheville's vibrant River District, now home to more than 165 artists with studios located in late 19th century industrial buildings. Our multi-purpose "big room," The ARTery Gallery, is available to members and is a great space for exhibits, rehearsals, workshops and fundraising events.

The AAAC offers financial assistance to artists through the Regional Artist Project Grant (RAPG) and the Asheville Art in the Park Grants.

Our events include City of 1000 Easels, a self-guided walking tour of visual artists at work in outdoor locations in downtown Asheville; the Color Ball, where over 500 art supporters dressed in their finest monochromatic regalia come together annually for Asheville's most talked-about party of the year; and a calendar full of music and art and the ARTery.