about the athens area arts council

MISSION/PURPOSE

Athens Area Arts Council is a non-profit arts organization.  It's staffed entirely by volunteers whose goal is to integrate the artistic resources of the Athens area into our educational system, local economy, and the culture of our community. AAAC is an active advocate for public art and sponsors unique performances and events that broaden the community exposure to the arts-visual art, film, music, dance and literature. AAAC serves as a clearinghouse for information about the arts and provides support services to working artists.

AAAC PROJECTS

• Art Decko: Annual mural project with the public schools. The murals are hung in the stairwell of the College Avenue parking deck.
• Professional/ educational seminars for artists: We host seminars with organizations like the Georgia Lawyers for the Arts who have presented “Copyright Basics for artists.” We have also held seminars with the Georgia Council for the Arts and the Terry College of Business.
• Art Calendar: AAAC Website provides an art calendar on which artists can post art events and pertinent information on the arts in our community.
• Art Crawl: an tour of art galleries and artists' studios.
• AthFest Artist Market:An annual music and art event in which AAAC organizes the artist market, demonstrations, children’s activities, and exhibitions in surrounding venues.
• Umbrella Sponsorship: Artists whose projects meet our mission statement may apply for grants through us using our non-profit status.
• Celebrate the Arts: An annual meeting held in a local business that supports the arts. During this event we showcase local artists, musicians, and dancers for the enjoyment of all.
• You Me and the Bus: A competition in liaison with the Athens Transit System seeking artistically designed bus shelters that will be functional pieces of public art. Please visit our You Me and the Bus page to see the winning designs.

BOARD OFFICERS

President: Valerie Aldridge
Vice-president: Laura Nehf
Secretary: Elsa Jones
Treasurer: Irene Dodge

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Membership: Valerie Aldridge
You Me and the Bus: Chris Evans
Art Decko: Mary Lazzari
Public Art in the Park: Jennifer Perissi
Public Relations: Ashley Nickrenze

BOARDMEMBERS

Pamela Ramey Atkins
O.C. Carlisle
Susanna Drennen
Jonathan Evans
Jennifer Perissi
Julie Rothchild
Janet Ryland
Remy Shaber
Lois Thomas-Ewings
Sandi Turner