Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund

Overview | Eligibility & Process | Grant Recipients | FAQs | External Resources

2004 Recipients:

ART Station, Inc.
Atlanta Contemporary Art Center
Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus
Callanwolde Foundation
Dad's Garage
Full Radius Dance
Georgia Ensemble Theatre
Michael O'Neal Singers
7 Stages
Theatrical Outfit
Youth Ensemble of Atlanta

Click here for a listing of recipients from other years.

ART Station, Inc. (Link)
ART Station is a not-for-profit, professional arts organization dedicated to the production, presentation and celebration of the visual, literary and performing arts, as well as arts education and community arts outreach. It serves as a corner-stone cultural attraction in the historic village of Stone Mountain. ART Station's greatest challenge has been decreased funding due to 9/11, a sputtering economy and cut-backs by established corporate and foundation contributors. The organization has done an admirable job in maintaining its programs but has had to reduce its staff from nine to six employees. To raise awareness and attendance and boost its earned income, ART Station must hire a marketing director to actively seek new patrons and build a more stable source of funding. The Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund grant of $60,000 will allow ART Station to hire a marketing director for two years.

^ Back To Listing ^

Atlanta Contemporary Art Center (Link)
The Atlanta Contemporary Art Center promotes education, experimentation and excellence in all forms of contemporary art. It seeks to develop audiences for local and regional artists and to give them national and international exposure. Decreasing funding has inhibited the organization's continuing ability to bring in the more costly nationally or internationally recognized works that are an important part of their exhibitions, alongside local artists' work. To diversify its funding and raise awareness of this exciting in-town visual arts center, The Contemporary seeks to expand its membership base and convert those members to donors. The Contemporary will use its Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund grant of $57,700 over two years to hire a membership manager and increase this critical source of support.

^ Back To Listing ^

Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus (Link)
The acclaimed Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus (AGMC) is a professional male choral group dedicated to affirming the contributions of the gay and lesbian community and to advancing a positive image of that community. One of its chief challenges now is to increase the diversity of its audiences and venues in order to deliver its art and its messages, to a broader range of Atlanta communities. AGMC employs only one full-time employee, the Executive Director. An additional employee would allow AGMC toexp and its marketing, development and community outreach efforts to more communities around the region. The Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund grant of $45,000 over two years will help AGMC fund a new community relations position that focuses on reaching new audiences.

^ Back To Listing ^

Callanwolde Foundation (Link)
The Callanwolde Foundation operates as the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, which serves as a major fine arts and cultural center within a National Historic Place. Callanwolde brings visual, literary and performing arts to metro Atlanta through work-shops, classes, exhibits and presentations for children and adults. In recent years, traditional event-based income has supplied a smaller portion of the organization's budget, and has forced the organization to tap into its reserve fund. Subsequent budget restrictions have limited its program department and forced the reduction ofstaff. A grant of $50,000 from the Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund will help replenish the Callanwolde Foundation's reserve fund, which was depleted by 33 percent in 2003, sothat it may embark on new plans to increase earned income by capitalizing on the restoration of its historic bathhouse and grounds.

^ Back To Listing ^

Dad's Garage (Link)
Dad's Garage is a theatre ensemble specializing in original works and improvisational comedy. It is noted for reaching younger adult audiences in Atlanta with its edgy style and late-night improv performances. However, the ensemble needs to expand its base of patrons and to transform single-ticket buyers into subscription patrons and donors, but lacks the technology and staff to do so. Dad's Garage plans to offer educational programs about theatrical production and to increase its marketing communications with patrons. The result will be a better understanding of the requirements and process of creating original theatrical works and a better understanding of how their long-term support can make a long-term difference for this organization. The Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund's grant of $46,000 will fund an audience development position for
two years.

^ Back To Listing ^

Full Radius Dance (Link)
Full Radius Dance is a dance troupe that seeks to explore the diversity of human experience through modern dance. To that end, the troupe spotlights a broad array of participants, most notably persons with disabilities. In addition, each year for the past decade, Full Radius Dance has produced the annual Modern Atlanta Dance Festival in April. The organization's small size often hinders it from attracting new donors. As a result, Full Radius Dance has been unable to work with nationally known choreographers, add productions or increase its staff because of its limited budget. Full Radius Dance intends to explore new sources of funding and boost its prominence locally, regionally and nationally by stepping up its marketing and development efforts. A $25,000 grant from the Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund will enable the troupe to fill a marketing/development position for two years.

^ Back To Listing ^

Georgia Ensemble Theatre (Link)
As the only professional theatre company in the Georgia 400 corridor, the Georgia Ensemble Theatre (GET) serves North Fulton County and attracts audiences from allover metro Atlanta. In 2002-03, GET used an Arts Fund Toolbox Award to build alively and highly active board. GET would like to offer additional classes at its conservatory and to extend the run of its plays, but needs first to raise more funds. To capture the new energy of its board and strengthen staff fundraising capacity to achievea new level of stability, the Georgia Ensemble Theatre plans to hire a development director. The Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund grant of $60,000 will help fund this new position for two years.

^ Back To Listing ^

Michael O'Neal Singers (Link)
Based in Roswell, the Michael O'Neal Singers includes a professional ensemble of 14singers as well as a symphonic chorus of 135 singers. The singers perform a diverse repertoire of choral music, from masterworks to popular standards. The minimally staffed organization has been so successful that the size and scope of its day-to-day activities have grown beyond its abilities and now requires more paid management staff. An administrative director is needed to coordinate the many professionals and volunteers involved in the Michael O'Neal Singers, as well as to ensure the organization's continued growth and stability. A grant of $25,000 from the Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund will fund this new position for one year.

^ Back To Listing ^

7 Stages (Link)
7 Stages is a theatre company with a mission to engage artists and audiences by portraying the social, spiritual, and artistic values of contemporary culture. 7 Stages focuses particularly on original plays, new playwrights and new methods of collaboration, especially international collaboration. While the organization has maintained stable finances in past years, it still sometimes has to scramble for funding to accommodate the ups and downs of its public and private income streams. To be better prepared for financial emergencies and to meet the ongoing expenses of theatrical production, including its Emerging Artists Program, 7 Stages hopes to establish a working capital reserve fund. The Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund's grant of $30,000 will provide the seed funding to advance the theatre company toward that end.

^ Back To Listing ^

Theatrical Outfit (Link)
Located in downtown Atlanta's historic Fairlie-Poplar district, Theatrical Outfit produces classic and contemporary theater, with an emphasis on works indigenous to Southern culture. The theatre company has begun renovating an historic building in downtown Atlanta, The Balzer Theater at Herren's, to serve as its new venue. Theatrical Outfit's resources have been strained by its efforts to conduct the building campaign while planning the new facility and maintaining its production schedule. Furthermore, the campaign has drawn funders who in the past have funded the Outfit's ongoing operational expenses, resulting in a projected budget deficit. Theatrical Outfit seeks to reduce its debt and to attract new and increased sources of funding so that it may remain financially viable during the final stages of its building campaign and renovation of a new theater. The Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund has awarded Theatrical Outfit a grant of $25,000 to be applied toward debt reduction.

^ Back To Listing ^

Youth Ensemble of Atlanta (Link)
The Freddie Hendricks Youth Ensemble of Atlanta (YEA) promotes the positive development of young people through plays that explore the issues affecting their lives. This remarkable ensemble uses original dance, music and drama performances to powerfully portray the emotions and experiences of today's youth. As a highly-energized and rapidly growing theater company, the ensemble seeks to increase its revenues and community presence by creating additional performances and classes for youth. A development director will help YEA to raise funds, attract sponsors and increase YEA's name recognition in the community. The Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund has provided $60,000 to fund this new position for two years.

^ Back To Listing ^

Learn More About Grants:

Grants Overview
Eligibility & Process
Frequently Asked Questions
External Resources


	Overview \| Eligibility & Process \| Grant Recipients \| FAQs \| External Resources 2004 Recipients: ART Station, Inc. Atlanta Contemporary Art Center Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus Callanwolde Foundation Dad's Garage Full Radius Dance Georgia Ensemble Theatre Michael O'Neal Singers 7 Stages Theatrical Outfit Youth Ensemble of Atlanta Click here for a listing of recipients from other years. ART Station, Inc. (Link) ART Station is a not-for-profit, professional arts organization dedicated to the production, presentation and celebration of the visual, literary and performing arts, as well as arts education and community arts outreach. It serves as a corner-stone cultural attraction in the historic village of Stone Mountain. ART Station's greatest challenge has been decreased funding due to 9/11, a sputtering economy and cut-backs by established corporate and foundation contributors. The organization has done an admirable job in maintaining its programs but has had to reduce its staff from nine to six employees. To raise awareness and attendance and boost its earned income, ART Station must hire a marketing director to actively seek new patrons and build a more stable source of funding. The Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund grant of $60,000 will allow ART Station to hire a marketing director for two years. ^ Back To Listing ^ Atlanta Contemporary Art Center (Link) The Atlanta Contemporary Art Center promotes education, experimentation and excellence in all forms of contemporary art. It seeks to develop audiences for local and regional artists and to give them national and international exposure. Decreasing funding has inhibited the organization's continuing ability to bring in the more costly nationally or internationally recognized works that are an important part of their exhibitions, alongside local artists' work. To diversify its funding and raise awareness of this exciting in-town visual arts center, The Contemporary seeks to expand its membership base and convert those members to donors. The Contemporary will use its Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund grant of $57,700 over two years to hire a membership manager and increase this critical source of support. ^ Back To Listing ^ Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus (Link) The acclaimed Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus (AGMC) is a professional male choral group dedicated to affirming the contributions of the gay and lesbian community and to advancing a positive image of that community. One of its chief challenges now is to increase the diversity of its audiences and venues in order to deliver its art and its messages, to a broader range of Atlanta communities. AGMC employs only one full-time employee, the Executive Director. An additional employee would allow AGMC toexp and its marketing, development and community outreach efforts to more communities around the region. The Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund grant of $45,000 over two years will help AGMC fund a new community relations position that focuses on reaching new audiences. ^ Back To Listing ^ Callanwolde Foundation (Link) The Callanwolde Foundation operates as the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, which serves as a major fine arts and cultural center within a National Historic Place. Callanwolde brings visual, literary and performing arts to metro Atlanta through work-shops, classes, exhibits and presentations for children and adults. In recent years, traditional event-based income has supplied a smaller portion of the organization's budget, and has forced the organization to tap into its reserve fund. Subsequent budget restrictions have limited its program department and forced the reduction ofstaff. A grant of $50,000 from the Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund will help replenish the Callanwolde Foundation's reserve fund, which was depleted by 33 percent in 2003, sothat it may embark on new plans to increase earned income by capitalizing on the restoration of its historic bathhouse and grounds. ^ Back To Listing ^ Dad's Garage (Link) Dad's Garage is a theatre ensemble specializing in original works and improvisational comedy. It is noted for reaching younger adult audiences in Atlanta with its edgy style and late-night improv performances. However, the ensemble needs to expand its base of patrons and to transform single-ticket buyers into subscription patrons and donors, but lacks the technology and staff to do so. Dad's Garage plans to offer educational programs about theatrical production and to increase its marketing communications with patrons. The result will be a better understanding of the requirements and process of creating original theatrical works and a better understanding of how their long-term support can make a long-term difference for this organization. The Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund's grant of $46,000 will fund an audience development position for two years. ^ Back To Listing ^ Full Radius Dance (Link) Full Radius Dance is a dance troupe that seeks to explore the diversity of human experience through modern dance. To that end, the troupe spotlights a broad array of participants, most notably persons with disabilities. In addition, each year for the past decade, Full Radius Dance has produced the annual Modern Atlanta Dance Festival in April. The organization's small size often hinders it from attracting new donors. As a result, Full Radius Dance has been unable to work with nationally known choreographers, add productions or increase its staff because of its limited budget. Full Radius Dance intends to explore new sources of funding and boost its prominence locally, regionally and nationally by stepping up its marketing and development efforts. A $25,000 grant from the Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund will enable the troupe to fill a marketing/development position for two years. ^ Back To Listing ^ Georgia Ensemble Theatre (Link) As the only professional theatre company in the Georgia 400 corridor, the Georgia Ensemble Theatre (GET) serves North Fulton County and attracts audiences from allover metro Atlanta. In 2002-03, GET used an Arts Fund Toolbox Award to build alively and highly active board. GET would like to offer additional classes at its conservatory and to extend the run of its plays, but needs first to raise more funds. To capture the new energy of its board and strengthen staff fundraising capacity to achievea new level of stability, the Georgia Ensemble Theatre plans to hire a development director. The Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund grant of $60,000 will help fund this new position for two years. ^ Back To Listing ^ Michael O'Neal Singers (Link) Based in Roswell, the Michael O'Neal Singers includes a professional ensemble of 14singers as well as a symphonic chorus of 135 singers. The singers perform a diverse repertoire of choral music, from masterworks to popular standards. The minimally staffed organization has been so successful that the size and scope of its day-to-day activities have grown beyond its abilities and now requires more paid management staff. An administrative director is needed to coordinate the many professionals and volunteers involved in the Michael O'Neal Singers, as well as to ensure the organization's continued growth and stability. A grant of $25,000 from the Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund will fund this new position for one year. ^ Back To Listing ^ 7 Stages (Link) 7 Stages is a theatre company with a mission to engage artists and audiences by portraying the social, spiritual, and artistic values of contemporary culture. 7 Stages focuses particularly on original plays, new playwrights and new methods of collaboration, especially international collaboration. While the organization has maintained stable finances in past years, it still sometimes has to scramble for funding to accommodate the ups and downs of its public and private income streams. To be better prepared for financial emergencies and to meet the ongoing expenses of theatrical production, including its Emerging Artists Program, 7 Stages hopes to establish a working capital reserve fund. The Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund's grant of $30,000 will provide the seed funding to advance the theatre company toward that end. ^ Back To Listing ^ Theatrical Outfit (Link) Located in downtown Atlanta's historic Fairlie-Poplar district, Theatrical Outfit produces classic and contemporary theater, with an emphasis on works indigenous to Southern culture. The theatre company has begun renovating an historic building in downtown Atlanta, The Balzer Theater at Herren's, to serve as its new venue. Theatrical Outfit's resources have been strained by its efforts to conduct the building campaign while planning the new facility and maintaining its production schedule. Furthermore, the campaign has drawn funders who in the past have funded the Outfit's ongoing operational expenses, resulting in a projected budget deficit. Theatrical Outfit seeks to reduce its debt and to attract new and increased sources of funding so that it may remain financially viable during the final stages of its building campaign and renovation of a new theater. The Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund has awarded Theatrical Outfit a grant of $25,000 to be applied toward debt reduction. ^ Back To Listing ^ Youth Ensemble of Atlanta (Link) The Freddie Hendricks Youth Ensemble of Atlanta (YEA) promotes the positive development of young people through plays that explore the issues affecting their lives. This remarkable ensemble uses original dance, music and drama performances to powerfully portray the emotions and experiences of today's youth. As a highly-energized and rapidly growing theater company, the ensemble seeks to increase its revenues and community presence by creating additional performances and classes for youth. A development director will help YEA to raise funds, attract sponsors and increase YEA's name recognition in the community. The Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund has provided $60,000 to fund this new position for two years. ^ Back To Listing ^ Learn More About Grants: Grants Overview Eligibility & Process Frequently Asked Questions External Resources
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