Asheville Area Arts Council begins annual fund drive on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 4

From a press release:

Asheville Area Arts Council begins annual fund drive on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 4

The Asheville Area Arts Council (AAAC) will begin its Annual Campaign on Giving Tuesday, December 4th, with a fundraising goal of $200,000 for the fiscal year.

“We are excited to share that we are 75% of the way to our goal this early in the fiscal year, but the AAAC is still very much in need of personal donations to sustain its core operations” said Kitty Love, AAAC Director.

Most of the revenue received up to this point has been obtained through grants, donations, board support and other fundraising efforts and covers some, but not all of the program costs, and none of the operations expenses.

When you donate to the AAAC, you’re supporting local creative industry jobs, educational programming, resources, and tools for emerging and existing artists, and helping to give young people greater access and opportunities in the arts,” said Love.

“We are grateful to everyone in our amazing community who is stepping up to support the arts,” Love added. “It’s a crucial part of what makes Asheville truly authentic.”

The AAAC annual fundraiser kicks off on Giving Tuesday, which is the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, falling on December 4th this year. Giving Tuesday is a global day dedicated to giving back, following the consumer-focused retail holidays Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Donations to the Arts Council are tax-deductible and can be made at any dollar amount through a quick, easy, and secure donation on the AAAC website. Membership options start at $25, and at the $50 level includes full access to the AAAC Artist Resource Center in the Grove Arcade, an invitation to the annual member party, discounted Creative Sector Summit tickets, discounts on Artist’s Curriculum classes, and AAAC Gallery rental for special events at a discounted, members-only rate.

“A contribution to the Asheville Area Arts Council is a gift that multiplies,”said AAAC Board President, Denise Drury-Homewood.

In reference to the AAAC Strategic Plan, which was just released for the fiscal years 2014 to 2018, Drury-Homewood added that a donation to the annual fund “will make an impact on not just one organization, but dozens; not just one artist, but many; not just one child, but an entire neighborhood.”

A condensed version of the Strategic Plan can be read on the AAAC blog. The plan outlines strategic objectives for program goals in the following areas:

For Artists / Emerging Artists

For Arts Organizations / Emerging Arts Organizations

For Community-Driven Creative Placemaking

For Teachers, School Administrators & Youth

Programs and projects include The Buncombe Cultural Alliance, fiscal sponsorship, the Creative Sector Summit, exhibitions curated by artists, re-granting programs including Asheville Art in the Park, Regional Artist Project Grant, Grassroots Art Program; the Artist Resource Center, special events, arts education and advocacy, and more.

Creative Asset Mapping and a Cultural Resources Asset Inventory is included on the Strategic Plan list, as part of a National Endowment for the Arts grant that the AAAC plans to apply for. Asset mapping and inventory is a project that demonstrates the impact area artists have on the local economy, and in order to qualify for the NEA grant, the AAAC needs to match $75,000 in funding.

Earlier this month, the City of Asheville agreed to contribute $25,000 towards the NEA grant, with forthcoming support sought from additional partners. The Economic Development Coalition of the Chamber will also partner on the project, with all parties collaborating through the Buncombe Cultural Alliance.

“Our community invests generously in the arts, “ said Love, ”but without cultural planning, we have no way to assure that we are stewarding our unique assets in the right direction for growth. Support for the AAAC helps create the assurance that the arts are vital and supported far into our county’s future. Please join us in our mission by supporting us on Giving Tuesday at AshevilleArts.com.”