Our Commitment to Being an Anti-Racist Institution

Asheville Creative Arts was founded to challenge young people to imagine new ways of being, and to practice seeing the humanity in one another. We believe that as artists and cultural workers, we have a responsibility to help build a world where Black lives matter.

We commit to continuing to make space and uplift the voices of the artists and arts administrators from communities of culture already part of the ACA Family, and those who will join in the future. Our artistic and administrative work must model for the next generation how to build a better world.

Mission and History

With work called “Excellent!” by the Mountain Xpress, and “Dazzling!” by the Citizen Times, ACA is Asheville’s professional children’s theatre providing ground-breaking work to audiences of all ages. Recognizing its contributions to the cultural landscape, Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer declared July 18, 2014 "Asheville Creative Arts Day," and work has been supported with awards from The National Endowment for the Arts, NC Arts Council, NC Council on the Humanities, Asheville Area Arts Council, Henson Foundation, Community Foundation of WNC, Puffin Foundation, the company is a not-for-profit theatre with following mission-based programs:

• Performance and Art​ - immersive and innovative live theatre productions oriented to young people 0-18 years old and their families that explore contemporary themes, such as migration, humanity, the power of personal narrative. We serve multigenerational, multiethnic and multidimensional audiences.

• Developing a Future Generation of Artists, Audiences and Administrators​ - classes and apprenticeships in various artistic disciplines, curation and program management; on-site residencies in schools and community centers affiliated with partner organizations offering culturally-appropriate pedagogy enacted by artists of the community served.

•  Creative Placemaking​ - public art in partnership with local community-based organizations that activates community spaces and helps Asheville address questions being asked, including those focused on revitalization, gentrification and reparations.

• Technical Assistance​ - fiscal sponsorship and shared administrative templates, bookkeeping and budget development support, zero-to-low interest micro-loans for artists’ professional development and capital investments such as equipment purchases.

We use theater to reflect and elevate the communities we represent and serve, and as such we are committed to presenting the stories of all its participants.  Led by Daniele Martin, ACA's Resident Community Outreach Director, we are thrilled to partner with Hood Huggers and other community based organizations to build partnerships and pipelines to ensure that all are welcome.