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Atlantic Center for the Arts highlights $2.2M local impact, seeks continued city MOU for 2026 events
Summary
ACA leaders told the commission that the Images festival and ACA programs generate more than $2.2 million for the local economy and previewed a new 'ACA Live' concerts pilot for 2026 that would include profit-sharing with the city; ACA also requested continued cooperation under a memorandum of understanding.
Leaders from the Atlantic Center for the Arts presented their annual update and a proposed memorandum of understanding to expand programming with the city in 2026. Jennifer Coolidge, ACA executive director, said the Images festival’s estimated local economic impact is "over $2,200,000" using the Americans for the Arts economic calculator and described youth-education, residency and community partnerships. "We know parking has been, you know, an issue," she said, and ACA said it is developing parking partners and security coordination with city staff.
Board chair Russell North described "ACA Live," a new pilot bringing Grammy-winning artists to town and engaging schools and community venues. "It brings culture into the community that makes the community more alive," he said, and ACA outlined a revenue-sharing pilot (50/50 ticket profits) for a Jimmy Buffett tribute concert during Images. The commission thanked ACA for its partnership and staff confirmed that the memorandum of understanding will be available for consideration as part of future agenda items.
ACA leaders also noted grant-funded residencies (including a five-year National Park Service grant that produced a documentary) and local education partnerships with Rollins College and area schools. The commission expressed support for arts-forward coordination and noted an upcoming Arts Forward NSB forum on Nov. 18.
