A Year of Progress for Atlanta’s Arts Ecosystem
As 2025 draws to a close, I wanted to take a moment to celebrate what the Atlanta arts ecosystem has accomplished together. Arts Capital | Atlanta was created to strengthen the region’s creative infrastructure, advocate for sustainable funding, and support the nonprofit organizations that power our cultural life. This year, we made meaningful progress on all fronts, thanks to cooperative efforts from across the ecosystem.
Here’s a look back at what we achieved together.
Public Funding Win
One of the clearest victories of 2025 was Fulton County’s decision to reintroduce $1.7 million in additional funding to their Contracts for Services program.
The restoration wasn’t accidental. It was the result of dozens of arts advocates showing up to Commissioners’ meetings and speaking passionately about the impact of the arts and local nonprofits, along with sector-wide alignment about what’s needed for stability and growth.
Thank you to those who helped make this possible. Fulton County’s 2026 budget draft includes this increase, doubling their Contracts for Services program to $3 million.
Center the Arts in Public Conversations
This year, Arts Capital | Atlanta representatives presented and were interviewed in numerous high-profile settings, elevating the economic impact of the arts, the need for sustainable infrastructure, and the power of collective action.
With every panel, keynote, and briefing, we broadened awareness of the creative sector’s role in shaping Metro Atlanta’s identity and future. The final touch was the opportunity for AC|A representatives to highlight the arts at the December Atlanta Foundations Forum. Our organizations dazzled the standing-room-only crowd with performances and data, and even engaged them in some hands-on creative moments. It was a significant opportunity to highlight the arts to more than 100 local funders.
Regular Convenings
We can’t forget the impact and power of having regular opportunities to focus on these goals. The Arts Capital | Atlanta steering committee continued to meet weekly throughout 2025, often joined by funders and other partners, to strategize on the path forward. My calendar tells me the steering committee met 42 times in 2025, a remarkable commitment to the ecosystem. As we wrap up the year, we will enter 2026 with our inaugural board of directors and a detailed plan forward.
The Cohort
Just last month, Arts Capital | Atlanta introduced our Weave of Engagement, highlighting the strength our individual organizations bring when woven together. Atlanta-area nonprofits can now join the AC|A Cohort to showcase their support of the movement. We look forward to bringing cohort organizations together in 2026.
Atlanta skyline at sunset
Looking Ahead
2025 was the year we proved what’s possible when we align around shared values and take coordinated action. In 2026, we will continue:
Advocating for increased public and private investment in the arts
Pursuing sustainable, community-led funding structures
Building the intermediary model that will stabilize and uplift organizations across the Metro
Strengthening opportunities for data-sharing, research, and mutual support and understanding
Thank you to every member of this coalition who contributed their time, ideas, and energy. Your leadership is shaping a more resilient arts ecosystem for Atlanta.
Here’s to building, imagining, and creating even more together in the year ahead.
Laura Hennighausen
CEO, Arts Capital | Atlanta
