New Public-Private Partnership Announced To Develop Arts and Entertainment Facility In Asheville
Last week, the City of Asheville signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ATG Entertainment for predevelopment work to create a public-private facility for the arts and entertainment. ATG is headquartered in the United Kingdom and operates or programs 72 venues throughout the world, including 23 spread across eight markets in the United States with seven venues on Broadway.
The MOU allows the project to move forward as the City of Asheville, ATG, and their partners at the Buncombe County Tourism Authority (BCTDA), ArtsAvL, and the Asheville Symphony to develop a venue that works for the community. This MOU allows the City and ATG to collaborate on planning and design of major capital projects, this planning includes studies on economic development, cultural impact, and business models. The initial phase will study various forms of financing including Economic Development Adminsitration (EDA) grants under the disaster recovery program, which is a federal program offering grants to support the restoration of economic activity and long-term economic growth in disaster-impacted communities and regions.
This exploratory partnership of the predevelopment phase is being funded by both ATG and the City, with the City’s maximum contribution set at $60,000. ArtsAVL, the designated nonprofit arts agency for Buncombe County, will help evaluate the potential community and cultural benefits of such a facility as part of the ongoing Arts Recovery Plan, a project conducted by Lord Cultural Resources for ArtsAVL.
What They Are Saying:
“Large events that bring together both visitors and residents have become an important part of Asheville’s recovery, not just economically, but as a way to reconnect our community,” said Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer. “A new performing arts and entertainment space has the potential to support our vibrant creative culture, uplift local businesses, and create good jobs for people across the region. This partnership gives the City an opportunity to thoughtfully explore a public-private project that could honor Asheville’s unique character while helping shape a more inclusive and resilient future for all.”
“We are delighted for the opportunity to better explore the Asheville market in conjunction with the City of Asheville, ArtsAVL, and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority to determine if Asheville will be added to our growing portfolio,” said Lori Hotz, CEO of ATG Entertainment North America.
“Recently, the Tourism Development Authority identified several types of projects to be prioritized in future grant cycles based on both community benefit and return on investment, including a new large entertainment and arts facility, indoor and outdoor sports facilities, and family-friendly experiences,“ said Vic Isley, President and CEO of Explore Asheville and the BCTDA. “Our commitment is to invest in projects that serve residents and visitors alike, strengthening Buncombe County’s quality of life while supporting the long-term vitality of our local economy.”
“As Asheville considers the future of its arts and entertainment infrastructure, ArtsAVL is committed to ensuring that decisions are informed by the needs of our creative community and the lessons we are gathering through the Arts Recovery Plan. We look forward to engaging stakeholders in these important conversations,” said Katie Cornell, Executive Director of ArtsAVL.
“The Asheville Symphony is thrilled to support the City’s exploration of a new, large-scale arts and entertainment facility,” said Daniel Crupi, Executive Director of the Asheville Symphony. “A privately managed venue of this kind would be a transformative asset for our entire community, welcoming residents and visitors alike, and providing a stage for a wide range of artistic voices and cultural experiences.”