
Local artists and arts advocates can now reserve tickets ($45) for the inaugural 2022 State of the Arts Brunch, taking place Wednesday, November 2 from 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at The Orange Peel in downtown Asheville. Organized by the Asheville Area Arts Council, the brunch provides a critical snapshot of the current state of our creative sector. It also connects all members of the arts community, no matter their medium or method of participation, through celebration, education, and activation.
The brunch offers not only the opportunity to connect with area artists, but also to learn and share information essential to sustaining a thriving arts community. Asheville Area Arts Council Executive Director Katie Cornell will share the State of the Arts update – a report on the present and future of the arts in Asheville and Buncombe County. The update will highlight topics including overall creative jobs and industry sales for 2022, the Buncombe County Creative Jobs pandemic report, a creative manufacturing study co-developed by the Arts Council with Land of Sky and Riverbird Research, and more.
The Arts Council will also share a not-to-be-missed announcement that will shape the future of the arts in Asheville, including several exciting new contributions the organization will make to the local arts community.
Additionally, featured speakers Mayor Esther Manheimer and Buncombe County Board of Commissioners Chair Brownie Newman will share remarks about how the City and County support arts and culture.
John Ellis, longtime arts advocate and former Executive Director of the Diana Wortham Theatre, now the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, will be presented with the John Cram Arts Leadership Award (the “Crammy”), honoring his contribution to the arts in Asheville. Ellis will also announce his choice of local arts-based nonprofit organization or community project to receive an arts council grant of $1,000.
Attendees will enjoy a hearty, family-style brunch spread courtesy of 67 Biltmore, hosted in the spacious, lively Orange Peel (101 Biltmore Ave.), one of the premier performance venues in downtown Asheville.
“If you care about the arts in our area, this is the event for you,” said Katie Cornell, Executive Director of the Arts Council. “This is Asheville’s creative pulse check with exciting announcements, a delicious meal, and great conversation – you won’t want to miss it!”
Ticket sales will support the Arts Council’s mission to keep the arts at the heart of our community. Table sponsorship is available beginning at $1,000. Other opportunities to support the Arts Council and, by extension, the local arts community, are available as well.
The State of the Arts Brunch is part of the Asheville Area Arts Council’s ongoing Creative Sector Series. The Series has also included moderated town hall meet-and-greet events where artists and advocates have met candidates for state and local offices. The next ArtsAVL Town Hall event will take place on October 12, 2023 with city candidates. Visit https://ashevillearts.com/town-hall/ to learn more.
Learn more and reserve your seat for the State of the Arts Brunch at: ashevillearts.com/brunch. For table sponsorship, seating requests, dietary restrictions, and any other questions, contact Caroline Crupi, Assistant Director, at [email protected].