Overview
Arts and culture create the lives, the work and the reflection of who we have been and who we are becoming. At the same time, the arts keep us connected to our community and to each other. They inspire us to act. They bring us together and then leave us seeing our world in a new light. In a time when we are globally connected with other people, cultures and economies at an unprecedented level, the arts help us understand and make sense of our world in the most authentic way.
In Atlanta, our arts community continues to grow and expand along with our region. Our artists—and the small and midsized arts organizations that are the closest to them—are a regional asset. On any given day, you can see a play or improv, view exhibitions of fine art or film, hear spoken word or attend a ballet in different communities in the region. While the creativity and discovery is what we experience as an audience, behind each event is a team of individuals driving the production, development, marketing, financials and more.
The Arts Fund provides strategic funding for general unrestricted operations. The goal is to strengthen arts organizations in the Atlanta region. A recent extensive evaluation revealed that Arts Fund grantees have experienced transformative impacts beyond the immediate goal of a grant, including: strengthened artist product; strengthened overall organizational unity and effectiveness; increased, diversified and leveraged revenue; improved communications systems; improved organizational profile in the community; increased staff efficiency; and more, resulting in more stable, survivable financial positions.
The Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund is a community initiative of The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, founded in partnership with the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and established with substantial support from The Coca-Cola Company.
Grantmaking
In 2012, the Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund will focus on providing strategic General Operating Support to eligible nonprofits guided by a current strategic plan. The local and national economic crisis steers us toward these priorities as both logical and necessary.
Grant guidelines are published annually to help grant applicants understand the eligibility criteria and application process. Orientation sessions are held prior to each grant deadline to assist applicants to develop strong applications.
Deadlines
In 2012 there will be one deadline for Arts Fund grants.
- May 09, 2012: Deadline for Letter of Intent to Apply for Grant Funding
- June 29, 2012: Final Applications due (invitation only)
- August 6-23: Site Visits
- Early October: Grants awarded
Documents
Application materials will be available in February, 2012.
Orientation Session
The Arts Fund will conduct an online orientation session to discuss the Arts Fund grant process, guidelines and application on
Wednesday, April 18, 2012 from 2:30-4:00 pm. Before participating, please read the guidelines and instructions and review the application materials.
Registration is required:
https://cc.readytalk.com/r/92lw5exzxa1y
Leadership
The Arts Fund’s Advisory Committee oversees all activities of the initiative. Its grant and policy recommendations are reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors of The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. The Advisory Committee includes arts, community and business leaders:
- Bahnson Stanley, Chair, Ellis, McQuary & Stanley
- Elizabeth Adams, Community Volunteer
- Kenny Blank, Atlanta Jewish Film Festival
- Ron Brill, The Home Depot, retired
- John Burd, Brenau University, retired
- Susana Chavez, Parking Company of America
- Lynda Courts, Community Volunteer
- Mark Goldman, Goldman Consulting
- Mira Hirsch, Artist and Educator
- Carrie Kurlander, Southern Company
- Max Leventhal, Alliance Theatre Company
- Camille Love, City of Atlanta, Office of Cultural Affairs
- Shirley Mitchell, Bank of America
- Karen Webster Parks, Community Volunteer
- Della Patteson, The Coca-Cola Company
- Lesley Grady (ex officio), The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta
- Rob Hollis (ex officio), The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
Recent support
2011 Grant Recipients:
Arts Clayton: $21,000
Atlanta Celebrates Photography: $25,000
Atlanta Chamber Players: $20,000
Atlanta Contemporary Art Center: $60,000
Atlanta Printmakers Studio: $7,500
Atlanta Sacred Chorale: $7,500
Atlanta Shakespeare Company: $25,000
Aurora Theatre: $75,000
Callanwolde Foundation, Inc.: $65,000
Dad's Garage Theatre Company: $75,000
Dance Canvas: $6,500
The Georgia Ballet: $50,000
Georgia Shakespeare: $75,000
Gwinnett Ballet Theatre: $30,000
Joel Chandler Harris Association.: $20,000
Madison Morgan Cultural Center: $60,000
MOCA GA: $50,000
Monroe Art Guild: $5,000
Out of Hand Theater: $15,000
CORE Performance: $20,000
Synchronicity Theatre: $35,000
Theatre du Reve: $7,500
Theatre in the Square: $75,000
Theatrical Outfit: $70,000
True Colors Theatre Company: $50,000
Youth Ensemble of Atlanta: $15,000
Total: $965,000