create
arts & culture
We envision a creative athens
Arts and culture thrive in Athens, Georgia. Music, visual arts, dance, and theatre are at the heart of the arts and culture in our community. The individuals who produce art and artistic products and the venues that host events are a cornerstone of the local economy. During the pandemic, long term (throughout 2020 and much of 2021) shut down of these venues and cessation of concerts and other arts-related events affected the musicians, artists, and all the stakeholders that produce them (including performance spaces, lighting, sound and other technical professionals). The arts community is a vibrant part of our local identity and we have a critical opportunity to work together to make sure these individuals are valued and supported and able to move forward with creating in a post-pandemic landscape.
Valuing Artists and Their Work
An issue that is worth addressing in the Athens creative space is the lack of value for the work artists put into their art. Much of the public does not understand the effort it takes to make professional creative products. Not only does an artist spend much of their effort to finish an art piece, but they also spend their time, money, and resources. There is a need for awareness and education for the public to place more value on an artist’s work in order to challenge the expectation for artists, especially performance artists, to provide creative work with little to no compensation.
Youth and the Arts
Athens’ youth have a significant need for more exposure to the arts. Artists and creatives in Athens feel that students in Clarke County School District will benefit from more performance and art exposure. There is a willing, art-rich community right here in the city that is ready to partner with the Clarke County School District. There is also a need for more youth-centric arts events that are accessible to the whole community.
Art-Centric Policies
The arts community of Athens needs to be seen as an important part of the local economy. This should lead to local policymakers understanding the effects of policies, from parking zones to housing, on the creatives and artists of Athens. When keeping the effects of policy in the creative community in mind, critical growth across the creative industry is able to be achieved. Workforce development conversations need to include how to grow and foster the local arts economy, especially because of the unique place that creatives hold in the Athens community.
Impact of Costs
The rapid rise of cost of living in Athens, especially in the area of housing has hurt the creative community and pushed many artists outside the city. Much of the creative community cannot afford to maintain their creative work due to the cost of living. In addition to the cost of living, local ordinances that prevent cohabitation with non-family members makes it much more difficult for creatives to afford housing.
Valuing Artists and Their Work
An issue that is worth addressing in the Athens creative space is the lack of value for the work artists put into their art. Much of the public does not understand the effort it takes to make professional creative products. Not only does an artist spend much of their effort to finish an art piece, but they also spend their time, money, and resources. There is a need for awareness and education for the public to place more value on an artist’s work in order to challenge the expectation for artists, especially performance artists, to provide creative work with little to no compensation.
Youth & the Arts
Athens’ youth have a significant need for more exposure to the arts. Artists and creatives in Athens feel that students in Clarke County School District will benefit from more performance and art exposure. There is a willing, art-rich community right here in the city that is ready to partner with the Clarke County School District. There is also a need for more youth-centric arts events that are accessible to the whole community.
Art-Centric Policies
The arts community of Athens needs to be seen as an important part of the local economy. This should lead to local policymakers understanding the effects of policies, from parking zones to housing, on the creatives and artists of Athens. When keeping the effects of policy in the creative community in mind, critical growth across the creative industry is able to be achieved. Workforce development conversations need to include how to grow and foster the local arts economy, especially because of the unique place that creatives hold in the Athens community.
Impact of Costs
The rapid rise of cost of living in Athens, especially in the area of housing has hurt the creative community and pushed many artists outside the city. Much of the creative community cannot afford to maintain their creative work due to the cost of living. In addition to the cost of living, local ordinances that prevent cohabitation with non-family members makes it much more difficult for creatives to afford housing.
