Arts groups urge Fulton County to keep $3 million in arts funding during budget debate

Dozens of arts leaders, nonprofit directors and artists asked Fulton County commissioners during public comment to maintain or increase arts funding at the fiscal year 2024 level of $3,000,000.

Speakers representing theaters, festivals and cultural organizations presented economic and community arguments for sustained funding. Several speakers cited metrics about tax revenue generated by arts activity and the role of arts programs in workforce and youth development.

Christopher Escobar, executive director of the Atlanta Film Society, urged commissioners to view arts funding as an investment. "Don't do it because they deserve it. Don't do it because they need it. Continue to support arts and culture because it is sound fiscal policy," Escobar said. He highlighted state and local returns on public investments in festivals and cultural institutions.

Other speakers across the morning's public comments included Alex Acosta of Soul Food Cypher, Shelby Hoefer of Push Push Arts, Koranda Baker of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, and representatives from the National Black Arts Festival, Synchronicity Theatre, Hammonds House Museum and the Alliance Theater. Many urged keeping the arts appropriation at $3,000,000 to preserve small arts organizations, youth programs and outreach in both North and South Fulton.

Why it matters: Fulton County funds arts organizations through contracts and grant mechanisms; speakers said local funding leverages private philanthropy, supports tourism and directly funds programs targeting children, seniors and underserved communities.

Selected remarks and requests - "The arts are not an expense. It is a lifeline," Alex Acosta, founding executive director of Soul Food Cypher, told the commission. - "We have over 20,000 square feet of programmable space... We serve over 500 artists annually," Shelby Hoefer, co-artistic director of Push Push Arts, said, describing a downtown College Park campus and the organization's request for sustained support. - "Fulton County's investment is a signal to private donors and funders," Koranda Baker, program officer at the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, said; she noted foundation matching and grant flow patterns.

Public scope and economic data cited Multiple speakers cited economic-impact figures: the arts sector and audiences were described as generating over $1.2 billion in direct spend across Georgia and producing local tax revenues in the tens of millions; the speakers said arts events draw visitors who spend on lodging, dining and retail. Several organizations also described outreach work to Title I schools, students with disabilities and youth experiencing homelessness.

Commissioner response and context Commissioners heard the comments during the public-comment block while the budget discussion continued later in the meeting. Some commissioners said they valued the testimony and would weigh arts funding alongside other competing priorities during budget deliberations.

Next steps and requests Several advocates asked the board to retain or increase the arts line to at least $3,000,000 in the FY2025 budget. The board adopted the FY2025 budget in the meeting but left room for midyear review; arts advocates said they would continue to press for sustained funding at the midyear check-in.