Impact Highlight:

• 100,000+ readers reached across print and digital for “The Cost of Creativity” series

• 7 original articles published, including investigative features, profiles, and Q&As

• 3-part investigative series spotlighting artist burnout and financial precarity

• Amplified voices of local artists, nonprofits, and changemakers

• Strengthened community understanding of the creative economy’s COVID-era challenges

Publishing Partner Overview

Mountain Xpress is a regional weekly publication known for its sharp cultural reporting, progressive perspective, and deep ties to Western North Carolina’s creative communities. Johanna Patrice Hagarty contributed multiple feature stories, Q&As, and longform investigative articles that brought greater visibility to the personal and economic realities facing artists, nonprofits, and local entrepreneurs.

The Challenge

In the wake of COVID-19 and an increasingly strained arts economy, many of Western North Carolina’s creatives were grappling with burnout, financial instability, and isolation — but their stories weren’t being fully told. Mountain Xpress aimed to dig deeper into these realities through thoughtful, human-centered journalism. The goal: elevate voices that often go unheard, and explore the costs and rewards of choosing a creative path in a rapidly shifting world.

Key Challenges:

• Illuminate the financial, mental, and emotional toll of creative work

• Build trust with sources across varied backgrounds and disciplines

• Balance emotional nuance with editorial rigor

• Translate complex social issues into engaging public storytelling

The Solution

Johanna wrote a range of impactful articles, including:

• "The Cost of Creativity" — a deeply reported 3-part series unpacking the unseen labor, burnout, and financial precarity experienced by local artists

• Q&A with Katherine de Vos Devine, a lawyer supporting artists navigating the legal system with empathy

• Profiles of changemakers, including Ruth Pittard and Jazmin Whitmore, exploring how art and entrepreneurship intersect with justice, joy, and community care

• Nonprofit coverage that spotlighted intergenerational resilience and how organizations adapted during the pandemic

Through rich interviews, narrative storytelling, and strategic editorial framing, Johanna brought light to the systems shaping creative life in the region.

Key Deliverables

• 7 published articles for Mountain Xpress 

• Original reporting with direct interviews and community engagement

• 3-part investigative feature series

• Cultural profiles and Q&As

• COVID-era nonprofit sector storytelling

Results

• “The Cost of Creativity” series read by over 100,000 people across print and digital

• Amplified the lived experiences of underrepresented artists, activists, and entrepreneurs

• Strengthened public understanding of the creative economy’s real-world impact

• Positioned Biz Hero Founder Johanna as a trusted regional voice on arts, equity, and economic justice

Why Does This Matter?

In a region where the creative economy fuels both cultural identity and economic resilience, telling the nuanced stories of artists, activists, and nonprofits is essential. These narratives build empathy, inspire community support, and influence public policy—helping to ensure that creatives not only survive but thrive in challenging times. By elevating these voices with care and integrity, this work contributes to a more equitable and vibrant arts ecosystem in Western North Carolina, and models how mission-driven storytelling can drive lasting social change.

Explore the Work

Ready to explore the stories behind the curtain of Western North Carolina’s creative scene? Click here to read Johanna's reporting for Mountain Xpress.