After-school programs may be one of the most underused pieces of civic infrastructure we have.
They sit in the space between school, home, workforce, community organizations, employers, colleges, mentors and public agencies. That makes them uniquely positioned to do more than keep young people occupied after 3 p.m.
Read MoreIf Augusta still values a central organization that supports artists, administers public funding, coordinates public art, produces a major cultural festival and helps connect organizations across the sector, then that role needs to be clearly defined, appropriately funded and accountable.
Read MoreOver the past few weeks, this event has been shaped by real conversations. People have shared what they love about live music, what they miss, what they need, what makes them feel safe, what makes them feel overlooked, and what makes them want to show up.
Read MoreHow will you GROW at Arts in the Heart? The festival isn’t just something to watch - it’s an opportunity to discover something you didn’t know before.
Read MoreGood community structures do not require everyone to produce the same answer. They create enough framework for people to participate while leaving enough room for individuality, experimentation and surprise.
Read MoreThis project requires different parts of our community to bring different assets to the same table: an arts organization brings knowledge of artists and public-art processes; an environmental institution brings place, science and educational purpose; funding partners make investment possible; an artist translates those ideas into a physical experience; and ultimately, visitors give the space meaning through their use of it.
Read MoreThe artists, musicians, dancers, volunteers, cultural organizations, food vendors, children making art and strangers meeting one another are what turn a physical location into a community space. A successful festival doesn’t simply occupy a place. It activates it.
Read MoreWe already welcome thousands of visitors for the Masters, Peach Jam, Ironman, and other major events. But how intentionally are we connecting those visitors to our artists, musicians, farmers, makers, neighborhoods, and small businesses?
Read MoreAfter a very difficult 2023 — losing my mother, receiving my own cancer diagnosis, and moving through treatment — I found myself slowly rebuilding my sense of rhythm, purpose, and connection. Music helped me breathe again. Art helped me notice beauty again. Community helped me remember that healing is not something we do alone.
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