SLFRF-Funded Program Overview

SLFRF funding was used to support an existing program known as ELEVATE, which was launched in 2011 to invigorate the Atlanta area through visual art, performances, and cultural events. The program utilized SLFRF Funding for grants up to $40,000 for art installations, performances, and activations over the 2023 and 2024 ELEVATE public art festivals, replacing traditional city allocations for these years. While rewarding artistic excellence as usual, the selection process targeted eligible individual artists, artist groups, businesses, and art organizations that have suffered a negative financial impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ​​program goal is to utilize cultural arts as a means of addressing the needs of disproportionately impacted communities by promoting healthier living environments, outdoor recreation, and socialization to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. See City of Atlanta Recovery Plan Performance Report

Advocacy

ELEVATE first used SLFRF funds to support artists, organizations, and communities with free public art programming in September and October 2023 with a focus on open air events to allow safe gathering. Remaining funds will be used to support ELEVATE in 2024. The success of past iterations of ELEVATE provide evidence OCA uses to advocate for arts and culture to government leaders and the broader community of Atlanta.

Process

Funding distributed as part of the ELEVATE program required considerable, complex reporting from grantees and OCA alike. However, OCA hosted workshops for applicants and secured the services of 3rd party consulting firms to help the city and grantees manage the reporting and paperwork processes, slightly easing the burden on all parties. In addition, the OCA structured payments to get funds to artists as quickly as possible while still maintaining high levels of oversight of government funds. In trusting and investing in their artists, OCA provided 50% of funds to artists early in the process followed by phases of additional expense reimbursements of 40% and 10% to ensure artists had the funds necessary to complete their work for the program. This is a departure from OCA’s usual distribution process of providing 100% reimbursements at the end of artist projects.

Equity

In furtherance of ELEVATE’s goal of supporting the breadth of the Atlanta area, OCA aimed to award funding across the city and activate all 12 council districts. Under resourced areas of the city with high poverty and unemployment were key target areas for support, building on strong, established partnerships with artists in communities on the west side of the city.

Moving Forward

The Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs continues the important work of the ELEVATE public art festival, supporting artists and local communities in their efforts to celebrate the rich culture of Atlanta. The success of the ELEVATE program at highlighting great art and artists within unique communities and funding artist-led programming offers artistic examples of what additional funding could be well spent on future editions of ELEVATE.

The City of Atlanta’s Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA) was created in 1974 to encourage and support Atlanta’s cultural resources. Working to define the city’s cultural vitality and enhance Atlanta’s reputation as a cultural destination, the OCA aims to produce programs that contribute to the city’s economy and quality of life in four key areas: Arts in Education, Municipal Support for the Arts, Performing Arts, and Public Art. Visit the OCA Website