Greater Augusta Arts Council, Inc.

The Greater Augusta Arts Council is a valuable part of the Augusta community. In more recent years I have become involved with the Arts Council through their public art initiatives. The implementation of the Augusta Sculpture Trail and the Golden Blocks Public Art Project has allowed Augusta to showcase its history and culture through public art.

I have been a member of the Arts Council for more than 15 years. It was one of the first organizations I joined when we moved here. As an artist it has been one of the best investment for my career. The organization works hard for all arts in the community. They are aware of the need for visibility in the government. They maintain great contact locally and regionally and personally. If you are an artist - this organization is a must for good networking!

I performed my poetry at the last Arts in the Heart. It was handled very professionally. The event was advertised well.

My book has been showcased in the Sacred Heart bookstore.

Brenda Durant has been a good friend and devoted arts colleague for the twenty years I have lived in Augusta.

I have worked with Greater Augusta Arts as a member of a non profit applying for grants funding, as a part of an arts group participating in Arts in the Heart of Augusta, and as an individual artist participating in the Wet Paint Party. Everything they do is done with excellence. They are a huge asset to our community as a whole, and especailly the arts community in the CSRA.

The Wet Paint Party was a fantastic way to explore art in a exciting manner - historic setting - Sky City - great art to bid on and a fashion show too!

The Greater Augusta Arts Council (GAAC) has been a part of the fabric of the Central Savannah River Area for as long as I can remember... sponsoring arts infusion programs, spearheading art awareness camps and supporting the efforts of local arts organizations and artists.



I've been a volunteer performer, paid contractor, head of a member organization, award recipient and supporter of Council activities for more than 10 years.



The GAAC "gets it." This organization understands the challenges/rewards of artistic pursuits as well as the work that has to be done to secure partnerships and engage volunteers, all while creating opportunities to develop the next generation of artist and arts lovers. GAAC also promotes local arts events with a weekly radio broadcast/podcast.

The Greater Augusta Art Council is a real asset to the CSRA, from First Friday, to Arts in the Heart, and now Westobou. These are great events that bring together many of our local communities, artists from around the region and visitors from all over.

This organization has a truly regional approach to providing cultural experiences for everyone. From First Friday to the Arts in the Heart festival every fall, the Arts Council seems committed to bringing everyone together and improving the quality of life.

This organization has given us guidance as we became an official non-profit. The GAAC has promoted us. And when we achieved 501c3 status, we were awarded operating support from the GAAC that has allowed us not only to maintain in this economy, but to expand our programming which has met with much success. Members of their staff are extremely in touch with the local art scene, they are regular members of our audience. This group recognizes and fosters legitimate and worthwhile artistic endeavors. Without the GAAC, the art scene in this town would dry up and blow away.

I work for a non-profit, youth agency and I have seen first-hand what Greater Augusta Arts Council, Inc. can do. Out members learn so much. develop usable skills, and make an abundance of remarkable memories. I am amazed at how much the Arts Council can do in such a short span of time. Watching my members perform under the direction of the council brings tears to my eyes and gives me chill bumps all over!!!

The Greater Augusta Arts Council is a wonderful asset to our community. I look forward to the annual Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival, which in addition to highlighting artists and performers, also highlights the diversity of our community. I believe this is a unique feature and I'm very proud to have it in my community. I also believe the experiences that come from the Artcamps held during the summer for our youth are fantastic. GAAC is innovative in its approach and continues to work to be of a great service to both artists and patrons. Thanks GAAC, Inc.!

I play in a local band and it has been a lot of fun playing at the First Friday events. It gave us (my band) an opportunity to play infront of a live audience. From my perspective, I see the faces of the people that stop to listen and they sure look like they are having a good time. FF brings people downtown for a chance to have fun and some free entertainment in a family friendly environment. First Friday is a great thing for our city.

What I love about the Greater Augusta Arts Council is they are all moving forward. Their Director is innovative and encourages their organization to move into the new and unknown. I have watched Arts in the Hearts grow and evolve into an impressive venue that Augusta and Georgia should be extremely proud of. They do so much to make Augusta a better place to be- Arts in the Hearts, First Friday, Re-granting, working with other Arts groups to bring them together as one. They make our community a better place to live!

I am always impressed with the work of the GAAC-serving as ambassador for the entire arts community and reinforcing the role of arts and culture in the economic health of our community. In addition, their signature event, Arts in the Heart, is a top-rated event in the nation and unifies our city in a way that no other event does.

I have participated in First Friday events for many years. In the beginning, the events were very disorganized. I am one of the street musicians. There was no real authority taking control of the location of the musical acts which resulted in some of the acts being located too close to each other. Early on, event security was almost non-existent. Now security guards are visible through out the night. In addition, the current staff of the Greater Augusta Arts Council understands the importance of these events as they relate to improvement in the "livability" of the Augusta area. Overall, a great improvement.

The Greater Augusta Arts Council is full of fabulous people who help promote the fine arts in the Augusta Area. I've been able to see first-hand the long hours and stressful days that they put in working for their cause. They are all very dedicated at determined to spread education of the fine arts to every person in our area, with no age, color, gender, ethnic, or racial prejudices. They are all very loving and supportive of every good cause they come across.

I have worked with the Greater Augusta Arts Council for many years. The main event is Arts in the Heart every fall. They have a great staff and source of volunteers to help put on this event. They are a joy to help and all their events are very professional and organized.

My organization has participated in its First Friday event. I've found that staff have gone out of their way to facilitate our organization's participation and that the management of the First Friday event is successful.

I have been involved with the GAAC for many years. I have served on the board for several years and as a general volunteer for others. GAAC preimer event is Ats in the Heart of Augusta. I love helping to make the best Cultural event in the CSRA become a reality ever year.

My first experience with the GAAC was Arts in the Heart. I was reminded of the many cultural arts programs I use to attend in the greater Orlando area. I am pleased to now be participating in organizing the literary arts at this event and have watched the event improve steadily every year since I first attended in 2001. Since the GAAC took on the First Friday Arts Celebration, I have participated as patron, volunteer and local business. We have been working to improve this event as well and are looking forward to a bright 2010.

I am the director of a non-profit. The Greater Augusta Arts Council provides us opps to perform and helps us to know about community arts events and potential ways for us to make money for our work through arts foundations and grant. The staff at the Greater Augusta Arts Council has been not only professional, but very helpful in the work that they do to serve the public and the overall arts community.

As a downtown energizer, I have been involved for years with the Greater Augusta Arts Council as a volunteer and participant in the many wonderful events they sponsor and bring to town. They bring so much life and color to our community in so many aspects, I do not have time to mention them all, but would be remiss not to include Arts in the Heart. My girls and I have been going for 20 years to this event and it keeps getting beter every year. Now my grandsons are going and enjoying the wonderful arts and community spirit that keeps me and my children here.

WFXG has worked with The Greater Augusta Arts Council for many years. We are a media sponsor for Arts in the Heart, Augusta First Friday's as well as many other events hosted by The Arts Council. We love working with the Arts Council staff on events that are so very important to the Augusta community.

This is one of the best non-profit organizations that my company has the ability to support. They are so involved with wonderful programs to keep Arts in our area! The yearly event that they put on, The Arts in Heart of Augusta brings so much to our community.

I have worked with the Greater Augusta Arts Council over the last several years and found the organization and staff very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. The GAAC is responsible for the Arts in the Heart of Augusta festival held in September that is the single largest art event in the area. It is well very organized and run; and attended by many thousands of people both local and out of town. They administer several grant programs that provide greatly needed arts funding to the area. I think one of the most important things about the GAAC is that the staff, Brenda, Melissa and Grace are easily accessible and are willing to help in anyway they can. They coordinate the arts activities in Richmond County and several surrounding counties. Brenda also hosts a half hour radio broadcast that promotes the arts in the CSRA

I volunteered for Arts in the Heart of Augusta. I was able to assist in overall setup of the Festival and "customer service" maintenance throughout the weekend. It was a wonderful team to work with. The staff is enthusiastic about the Arts Council- so much that it is contagious. All of the volunteers were willing to do whatever it took to put on an amazing event.

The Greater Augusta Arts Council has helped our rural county for the past two years through grants we obtained from GAP and GAAC. We have been able to expand our cultural events, including an annual art show and seasonal concerts. GAAC has helped to expose art and culture to our community.

The Greater Augusta Arts Council has been such a great help to our rural community. We have been writing for thier grants over 10 years. These grants have been used to bring arts programs to the citizens of our community who would in many cases never get the chance to be exposed to such a variety of the arts. It is so important for everyone to see whats available outside our little rural area. I have been priviledged to see the special sparkle in the young and old when they experience enjoyment in the arts. Great job council. You have been so very helpful and supportive all the way!

The Greater Augusta Arts Council has helped us reach out to the rural GA community for the past two years. Through grants we obtained from GAP and GAAC, we have been able to reach out to a broader population in rural GA, including the underprivileged in our area, with artist talks and painting workshops that many would not be able to experience otherwise. We are thankful GAAC has given us several opportunities to share with our community.

I worked with the GAAC during Arts in the Heart as a volunteer, and I have to say that it was a great experience! The food variety was awesome, the vendors were impressive, and working with the people there was easy! No complaints! :)

As a volunteer of the Greater Augusta Arts Council, I find that this is one of the best organizations to stay involved with. The small staff works miracles with all the events they run throughout the year. Not only have I made great life long friends but it is a wonderful way to stay in contact with all that the Arts has to offer. I would recommend to all near and far to come and visit and see the extraordinary events that GAAC is responsible for bring Augusta together.

The Greater Augusta Arts Council makes sure the arts survive - and grow - in Augusta. I'm a recipient of a Grassroots Arts Grant which has allowed me to share my passion for ceramics with the residents of Hope House, a non-profit that assists women and children. The Greater Augusta Arts Council has grown our annual Arts in the Heart festival into a classy celebration that rivals any in any city. They lobby for the arts and for artists and keep us in front of the policy-makers. Two thumbs up.

The Greater Augusta Arts Council has been extremely successful in distributing funding to the arts organzations in our area for years. Their leadership and procedures insure that every group has a chance to plead their case for much-needed community funding. Their premier event, Westabou, has been a welcome addition to a busy arts fall calendar which features our family's favorite annual festival, Arts in The Heart of Augusta. Arts in the Heart is one weekend where all ethnicities gather to celebrate their heritage and the visual and perfoming arts. Where else can you enjoy cuisine from over 30 countries while taking in performances by local regional and national artists including dance troups, singers and songwriters, storytellers, visual artists, and so mcuh more! Our children absolutely love making their way through the Children's Area, participating in numerous crafts and activities designed especially for them. Being a former staff member, I realize that I may be a little biased, but having produced well over 100 world-class special events all across North America, I can assure you that this event is a must-see festival. It is one of the highlights of our year! So much so, that we even returned every year when we lived out of town just so we could share this experience with our kids.

These folks do alot with a little- always the sign of a great non-profit. Especially excel at community events. Arts-In-The-Heart of Augusta is a jewel of September every year. And they they took on monthly First Friday downtown when it looked as if it would fall by the wayside. The Arts Calendar and radio arts show, bunches of other stuff.