Atlanta BeltLine, National Black Arts Festival join for public art

The National Black Arts Festival is collaborating with Atlanta Beltline Inc. to bring art to the beltline neighborhoods. CONTRIBUTED

The National Black Arts Festival is collaborating with Atlanta Beltline Inc. to bring art to the beltline neighborhoods. CONTRIBUTED

Atlanta BeltLine Inc. and the National Black Arts Festival are launching a new collaboration to enhance art in the Atlanta BeltLine neighborhoods. Working together, the two organizations will reach more communities and more artists, share resources and knowledge and support and promote artists to continually push for a positive, diverse public art experience in Atlanta.

ABI is in the process of reevaluating its public art program with the goal of greater equity, access, and inclusion across the cultural sector. Over the last few months, ABI has held meetings in order to receive feedback from communities with their suggestions for Art on the Atlanta BeltLine and other programming.

Results of the Art on the Atlanta BeltLine community engagement process highlighted an opportunity for greater outreach and connection to a more diverse group of artists from the juried selection through the final visual and performance works. ABI and NBAF will work to accomplish these goals by bringing together world-class art professionals, enriching artistic programming, and greater diversity in planning and implementation. This new partnership is the first step in a series of new collaborations that will reshape how Art on the Atlanta BeltLine connects with the broader community.

NBAF features year-round artistic and educational programming and is recognized as the oldest multidisciplinary arts organization in the United States focused exclusively on the arts and artists of African descent. Art on the Atlanta BeltLine is the largest outdoor, temporary public art exhibition in the south. By augmenting one another’s efforts in performances, commissioned works, and visual art programs, NBAF and ABI can continue to uplift a wide range of artists so that they flourish in Atlanta’s global arts and culture scene.