From Staff Reports

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Asheville’s River Arts District “has landed in the No. 1 spot on USA Today’s list of best arts districts in America for a creative escape,” Asheville television station WLOS (News 13) reported on Feb. 25.

“The list is based on readers’ votes,” News 13 noted. “Other cities making the cut include Dallas, Cleveland and Denver.

“Local artists say the recognition represents more than just a ranking; it reflects months of rebuilding and resilience following heavy damage from Helene.”

Regarding the credibility of USA Today’s rankings, AI Overview stated on Feb. 28: 

“‘Best city’ rankings, including those sometimes featured by USA Today or similar publications, are generally considered biased because they rely on specific, curated criteria — such as cost of living, job growth, or climate — that prioritize certain demographics or lifestyle preferences over others. These lists often reflect real estate, corporate,or tourism interests rather than objective, universal quality of life.”

USA Today recognized the RAD for several key factors that, it said, distinguishes it as a premier creative destination as follows:

• Working studio experience — The district is home to more than 500 working artists across various disciplines, including painting, ceramics, glassblowing and metalworking. Visitors have the unique opportunity to watch real people create real work and meet the makers in person.

• Immersive Activities — Beyond galleries, the district offers hands-on experiences such as glassblowing classes at the North Carolina Glass Center, bike tours and art strolls.

• Resilience and recovery — The win is viewed as a “love letter” to a community that has spent over a year rebuilding after sustaining massive flood damage from Hurricane Helene in late 2024.

• Unique infrastructure — The district repurposes former industrial buildings, such as a tannery and a cotton mill, into vibrant creative hubs. 

News 13’s “Comment Bubble” appearing after its story included the following assertions:

• jbbost — “The article doesn’t really tell you why the RAD is important, and honestly, I couldn’t tell you either outside of the Homer/Bender. Is there anything to do there if you don’t have money and don’t drink?” 

• TheOracle — “If you don’t have money and don’t drink — then RAD may not be for you.”  

 JMiller64 — “The whole area has always looked rundown. I especially like all the wanna-be gang tags everywhere. I would never take visiting family to the area.”

• Ang513 — “Oh, absolutely. It’s so trashy down there, I would never take anyone to that area.”

• johnbarleycorn — “Is it still in the exact same flood plain as it was before and during Helene??? Isn’t it a sign of insanity to keep doing the same thing and expect a different result???”

• JoePubliq — “That’s EXACTLY what Asheville has done for decades — continue to vote for Democrats... expecting a complete 180 of the flow of the city down the toilet (that) those same elected leaders have caused.” 

• OlTimer828 — “Who did the TDA (Tourist Development Authority) pay for this?”

• Normal — “I always thought the river was rank... but #1? >smells more like #2<”

• johnbarleycorn — “It helps enable us to create more of what we have a passion for, to be a group and to be a solid group,” said (artist)Dee Santorini. Lots of gibberish in the article, with not one fact about why it is supposedly number 1.”