Arts and Events Last updated or reviewed on December 21, 2020 Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville is known as a quality venue that hosts a diverse variety of events that reflects the creativity, uniqueness, and artistry that Asheville is known for. With over 200 days of events and drawing well over 200,000 people annually, the venue continues to support the vitality of the region as a whole and the vibrant downtown of Asheville in particular. Outdoor Special Events and Festivals The Community and Economic Development Department manages outdoor special event consultations, permitting, partnerships, lease agreements, and city service coordination for all event and festival productions on city-owned property, sidewalks, streets, and parks. The Outdoor Special Events office at Community and Economic Development serves as the City’s one-stop shop for outdoor special event applicants. Commercial Filming and Photography The Community & Economic Development Department manages permitting, location agreements, and city service coordination for all commercial filming and photography work involving city-owned property, sidewalks, streets, and parks. Commercial filming and photography is permitted under the same conditions as other special event uses of public property in Asheville. A permit may not be required for small scale projects that do not require the reservation of public space, closure of streets/sidewalks/parking, use of generators, structures or unusual scenes. Public Art Public Art improves our experience in public spaces, provides an opportunity to support regional artists and creative commerce, and helps us and others learn about and experience the richness of Western North Carolina’s culture. As you go about your day in Asheville you’ll see murals (most of which are not owned or managed by the City-our local businesses and not for profits invest heavily in creative public expression!), a number of sculptures and other pieces of art. Well known examples include the Energy Loop on College Street; the Deco Gecko in Pritchard Park; the murals in the City Hall chambers; the bronze life-size sculpture of Martin Luther King, Jr. at MLK Park; and the more than 30 sculptures and plaques along the Urban Trail. Find out more about Asheville’s public art program. Sports Commission Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission works to identify and attract sports events and related meetings to enhance the health, wellness and quality of life for area residents and sports enthusiasts and will generate a positive economic impact by promoting our region as a recognized sporting destination. Contact Information Community and Economic Development Department Asheville City Hall, Fifth Floor, 70 Court Plaza Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. 828-232-4505 P. O. Box 7148 Asheville, NC 28802 Updated 11/07/2019