STATE OF THE ARTS BRUNCH
Location: Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Date: Monday, June 1
Doors Open: 9:30 AM (light refreshments provided)
Tickets: Free, registration required
ArtsAVL’s State of the Arts Brunch brings together community members, artists, and local leaders for a morning focused on the presentation of the draft Asheville–Buncombe Arts Recovery Framework.
The program will feature a structured walkthrough of the framework, including key insights, strategic direction, and recommendations across seven focus areas addressing cultural infrastructure, creative industries, and access to arts and culture. Developed through research, stakeholder engagement, and alignment with existing plans, the framework outlines a system-level approach to recovery and long-term growth.
Attendees will have the opportunity to provide real-time feedback on all recommendations during the presentation, helping to ensure the framework reflects current conditions and community needs as it moves toward finalization.
The event will also include the presentation of the John Cram Arts Leadership Award, recognizing an individual whose work has made a lasting impact on Buncombe County’s cultural landscape.
Images from the May 2025 Brunch
“The Crammy”
John Cram Arts Leadership Award
This year, ArtsAVL will present the John Cram Arts Leadership Award to the late Andrea Clark in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to preserving and documenting Asheville’s Black history and cultural legacy. Through decades of photography, storytelling, research, and community advocacy, Andrea created an invaluable record of Black life, neighborhoods, institutions, and cultural traditions across Asheville and Buncombe County.
Andrea’s work helped ensure that stories too often overlooked or erased would remain visible and accessible for future generations. Her impact extended far beyond photography — she served as a cultural historian, educator, archivist, and advocate whose work strengthened the community’s understanding of Asheville’s history and identity. ArtsAVL is honored to recognize her lasting legacy as part of the 2026 State of the Arts Brunch.
Andrea Clark
Thanks to Our Sponsors!
Interested in becoming an event sponsor? Email Rebecca Lynch at rebecca@artsavl.org for more details.
