Arts & Culture
Learn more about the City of South Fulton's groundbreaking arts and culture experience.
READ the news release explaining how the transition benefits arts and culture education in the City of South Fulton.
SEE the editorial featured in the Atlanta Journal Constitution where Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Director Tony Phillips voices the city's vision for cultural arts programming, including how you can help shape that vision.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why is the City of South Fulton (COSF) taking over the SW Arts Center (SWAC) and S. Fulton Arts Center?
The two landmark facilities have been supported by the citizens of South Fulton for many years. The transition will allow for local control of each facility and give voice to the citizens of South Fulton as we build the future of arts programming in the City of South Fulton.
Will it raise our taxes?
No. There are no tax increases in the FY20 budget.
Does the COSF have money in the budget to pay for them?
Yes, the transitions were anticipated in the FY20 budget
How much will they cost annually in operating funds?
The ongoing transition process will include an assessment of each facility and staffing to develop the operating budget.
What is going to happen to current programs and services?
Various arts programming and services will continue to be available for citizens. The City will continually assess areas for improvement and enhancements to are programs and services.
Will we have to pay more for classes?
Arts classes and other programs will be assessed through the transition. There are no current plans to increase fees.
Will any programs and/or services be cut?
There are no current plans to reduce or cut services or programs.
What happens to True Colors?
The city will be in dialogue with True Colors and other organizations currently offering programming at the SW Arts center. The goal is to maintain all of the successful partnerships that are currently in place.
With Kenny Leon no longer the director and COSF as the new owner, how will scheduled upcoming performances be impacted?
True Colors is operating as they always have, and they have existing performance commitments in place. Through the transition the City will work with True Colors with the goal of continuing their productions at SW Arts Center, while engaging with other organizations to offer additional performances.
What kind of renovations will be made at both facilities?
The City’s General Services department is conducting assessments of both facilities to determine what renovations are needed and in what priority.
South Fulton is going to focus on STEAM. What will that programming consist of, specifically?
The South Fulton Arts/Cliftondale Multipurpose Center will have a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, ARTS, Math) focus. The STEAM model provides programming and support in academic disciplines while maintaining a vibrant Arts component.
Did anyone ask the community if they wanted STEAM instead of performances and exhibits?
There has been consistent feedback from our communities that indicates a desire for more academic support programs for our youth/students, while also maintaining arts programming. STEAM provides the best of both worlds by providing both academic and arts programming opportunities.
Why not do both? What’s the benefit of STEAM?
STEAM includes both academic and arts programming.
What happens to staff at both facilities?
Staffing assessments will be a part of the transition process to ensure that there is adequate staffing at both facilities. Opportunities for employment will be handled through the City’s Human Resources department.
Why use contractors to teach classes instead of part-timers like you have been?
Using instructor services for various arts classes and programs is a common model that provides flexibility.
When will that take place?
The transition timeline and programming schedule will be assessed and finalized through the transition process.
Will that make the cost increase? If not, how much will be saved?
There are currently no planned cost increases. Part of the transition process will seek to identify opportunists to increase efficiency and identify cost savings.
Will the facilities have to close at any time for renovations?
There are no current plans to close facilities. As the assessments of each facility are completed, a detailed plan for renovations will be identified.
Will the transition be seamless?
Our goal through the transition process is to maintain quality of programs and services as we assess the best way to create more efficiency and enhance arts programming.
How will the public be impacted short and long term?
In both the short- and long-term citizens will continue to have access to world class arts programming, classes, events, exhibits, and theatrical productions.
Who is going to operate the facilities?
Staff from the City’s Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department will operate the facilities utilizing strategic arts partnerships.
Are you hiring new directors for the facilities?
Staffing assessments will be a part of the transition process to ensure that there is adequate staffing at both facilities. Opportunities for employment will be handled through the City’s Human Resources department.
Will there be a national search for Arts/Culture and STEAM?
We will actively seek positive partnerships to help further our goal of providing world class arts and STEAM programming.
How will things be “better” with the COSF?
These two landmark facilities have been supported by the citizens of South Fulton for many years. The transition will allow for local control of each facility and give voice to the citizens South Fulton as we build the future of Arts programming in the City of South Fulton. Working with our communities we will put both facilities on a path to build on their previous successes to create a new and dynamic arts legacy for the City of South Fulton.