Artéria Collective Joins City, County to Tell the Story of Reparations in Buncombe County

Artéria Collective, formerly Asheville Writers in the Schools and Community, has joined the City of Asheville and Buncombe County Government to tell the story of the Community Reparations Commission. Founded in 2011, the group originally focused on writer residencies in public schools, but has since expanded to grow its mission of igniting social change through the power of arts, culture, and restorative self-expression.

For the Community Reparations Commission, the Artéria Collective will convene a team of youth media makers, and that group will use written features, podcasts, videos, photo galleries, and more to document the Commission’s work over the next two years.

“We seek to become the premiere source for supporting arts activities from and for the BIPOC community in Buncombe County and Western NC,” says Sekou Coleman, Artéria Collective Executive Director, “creating an ecosystem of BIPOC artists and art spaces that fuel a more sustainable and vibrant arts community for all.”

“We know that this is a key moment in our community’s history that needs to be documented authentically and wholly, so what better way to do that than by working with our local youth to accomplish that?” said Buncombe County Director of Communications and Public Engagement Lillian Govus. “Through the lenses of these young artists of color, we’ll see this pivotal moment in new, unique, and lasting ways, and it’s a privilege to be able to work with the Artéria Collective.”

To follow the current work of the Community Reparations Commission, visit the City of Asheville Engagement Hub project page.