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Founded in Atlanta in 1998, AAFTA is a membership based non profit Georgia corporation encouraging collaboration between individual artists, groups and communities. It advocates for artists in the community through the presentation of forums, meetings, performances and exhibitions year round. The group meets monthly at various arts and cultural centers throughout the metro Atlanta area.  

OUR BEGINNING

On March 18, 1998 at 6:35 p.m., the gathered friends of the Arts were called to order with Bishop John Lewis presiding. He and actress, director and teacher, Mrs. Georgia Allen, (also present) had sent out a call for a meeting of concerned community members.

Those answering the call and in attendance were Mr. James Patterson of Clark/Atlanta University Music Dept; Dr. Jimmy Brown, Psychologist; Rev. Jackie Stokes; Mr. Ed Spriggs, Director of the Hammonds House and by proxy, Ms. Andrea Frye, Director.

Ed Spriggs addressed the state of support for the Arts in Southwest Atlanta and specified the needs of the organizations. Needs ranged from facility requirements, to community awareness, to individual artists concerns of challenges to existing organizations longevity.  This information spurred discussion, which finally brought up the question, "What are we going to do and how are we going to do it?"

AAFTA was organized to address this question by: 

  • Bringing awareness to the inequitable treatment and attention given the Arts, Arts organizations and Artists in metro Atlanta. 

  • Developing and presenting events, forums and activities that support the organization's mission.

OUR GOAL

  • Promote the fine arts in the community via educational programs

  • Provide arts exposure activities for the general public in order to bring about a greater appreciation of the performing and visual arts

OUR MISSION 
The mission of African Americans for the Arts is to be a united, proactive voice for cultural matters affecting the African American and Diasporic African Community. 

The mission will be accomplished by: 

  • Advocating for the Arts community

  • Presenting forums increasing arts awareness and their importance

  • Encouraging collaboration between individual artists, groups and communities 

  • Increasing financial support to artists and art organizations

  • Assisting local arts organizations in strengthening their programs, membership, publicity and infrastructure

  • Stimulating arts interest and activity through seminars, exhibitions and performances

  • Providing technical assistance to arts groups and artists

  • Creating a supportive environment for the art community

  • Ensuring our creative arts support be commensurate with the quality of work

  • Ensuring our artists and institutions are better represented in the process of receiving funding

2016 Officers and Committee Chairs

President: Angela C. Ferguson
Vice-President: Cassandra Harrison

Programming/Performing Arts - Rameses Jones 
Secretary: Shirley Harrison
Treasurer: Tracy Murrell (acting) 
Membership Chair: Aisha Lumumba
Marketing Chair:  Hermon McClinton
Hospitality:  Charles B. Coad
AAFTA Gives Back: Delores Surry Smith
 

The next AAFTA meeting will be held at Hammonds House Museum on Tuesday, March 1st at 6pm. For more upcoming events click

 

NEW!

 African Americans for the Arts 2015 (Volume 2) is now on Amazon! Order your copy today.

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