Asheville features hundreds of art galleries, studios, performing art venues, art festivals, and a myriad of other art based events. The Asheville arts scene is so expansive that it’s impossible to list all the best places to visit, but if you’re looking to explore this eclectic city, here are some good places to start:
- River Arts District
Asheville is home to one of the largest art establishments in North Carolina. The River Arts District consists of 22 historic buildings that serve as studios for over 200 artists. Visitors can shop from open galleries, talk to the artists working in their studios, and eat at a plethora of local restaurants as they explore the districts one-mile stretch. Visitors can come and go as they please or schedule a guided walking tour here.
- Asheville Art Museum
The Asheville Art Museum, located in the center of downtown Asheville, hosts a plethora of exhibits and public programs. The museum focuses on art specific to Western North Carolina including Studio Craft, Black Mountain College, and Cherokee artists.
- Folk Art Center
Located along the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Folk Art Center showcases the traditional artwork of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Center houses three galleries, a library, a craft shop, daily live craft demonstrations, and access to multiple nearby hiking trails. Admission and parking are free.
- Black Mountain College Art Museum + Art Center
The Black Mountain College Art Museum + Art Center is located in the heart of downtown Asheville. Its focus is on the showcasing the legacy of North Carolina’s Black Mountain College, a progressive art school established in the 1930’s that taught many of the well-known artists of the 20th century including Willem de Kooning and Robert Rauschenberg. The BMCAM+AC carries on the legacy of this now closed college though a wide range of artwork including both modern and contemporary art exhibitions, dance, theater, music, publications, lectures, films, and more.
- The Refinery Creator Space
The Refinery Creator Space provides space for artists to work, collaborate, and grow their creative businesses. It is overseen by the Asheville Area Arts Council.
- RAMP Studios
"At RAMP, artists come together to work, experiment and exhibit, actively enriching the community through new ideas, innovative projects and the creative spirit."
Interested in knowing more? Learn more about Asheville’s top craft festivals and art events here.
Asheville's River Arts District 
Folk Art Center
