FY26 ARTIST PROJECTS EMERGING ARTIST AWARD

FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 ARTIST PROJECTS & EMERGING ARTIST AWARD 160 TRINITY AVENUE, SW, SUITE 2100 ATLANTA, GA 30303 404.546.6788 CITY OF ATLANTA MAYOR'S OFFICE OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS CONTRACTS FOR ARTS SERVICES MAYOR'S OFFICE OF Cultural Affairs CITY OF ATLANTA ANDRE DICKENS, MAYOR ODIE DONALD II, CHIEF OF STAFF MAYOR'S OFFICE OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS ADRIANE JEFFERSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ATLANTA CITY COUNCIL DOUG SHIPMAN, PRESIDENT JASON WINSTON, DISTRICT 1 AMIR FAROKHI, DISTRICT 2 BYRON AMOS, DISTRICT 3 JASON DOZIER, DISTRICT 4 LILIANA BAKHTIARI, DISTRICT 5 ALEX WAN, DISTRICT 6 HOWARD SHOOK, DISTRICT 7 MARY NORWOOD, DISTRICT 8 DUSTIN HILLS, DISTRICT 9 ANDREA L. BOONE, DISTRICT 10 MARCI C. OVERSTREET, DISTRICT 11 ANTONIO LEWIS, DISTRICT 12 NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING UNITS (NPU) ESHÉ COLLINS, POST 3 MICHAEL JULIAN BOND, POST 1 Locating NPU: NPUs are Citizen Advisory Councils that make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council on zoning and land use. You can find your neighborhood by looking at an alphabetical list of neighborhoods that shows which NPU each neighborhood belongs to or by looking at an alphabetical list of NPUs and the neighborhoods they contain. ARTIST PROJECTS & EMERGING ARTIST AWARD TABLE OF CONTENTS 04 Letter from the Executive Di 05 Office of Cultural Affairs and Contracts for Arts Services 05 Vision and Mission Statement 05 Funding Priorities 06 ARITIST PROJECTS 07 Artist Projects Criteria ector 08 Artist Projects Evaluation 09 EMERGING ARTIST AWARD 10 Emerging Artist Award Criteria 11 Emerging Artist Award Evaluation 12 General Policies 13 Application Instructions & Tips 19 How it Works: Our Process 20 Grant Timeline LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR In 1990, Mayor Maynard Jackson had a bold and inclusive vision for the arts in Atlanta-one rooted in access, representation, and shared cultural prosperity. He convened an arts summit that brought together over 500 leaders across Atlanta's diverse arts community. That historic gathering led to the creation of the Atlanta Blueprint for the Arts-a guiding framework that continues to shape the cultural landscape of our city. Since then, this Blueprint has served as a catalyst for progress, helping Atlanta grow into a dynamic, regional cultural hub where both established and emerging voices are valued. Today, as we build on that legacy, the Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA) remains committed to advancing cultural equity, ensuring that all Atlantans, regardless of background, have access to artistic expression, cultural heritage, and creative opportunity. Through strategic investment, community collaboration, and the celebration of Atlanta's rich cultural diversity, OCA provides programs that reflect and serve the full breadth of our city. Our vision is to enhance quality of life through inclusive cultural experiences that elevate Atlanta's global standing while remaining deeply connected to our local communities. Our mission is to foster, protect, and promote a vibrant and equitable cultural ecosystem-one that honors Atlanta's past, reflects its present, and shapes its future. Under the leadership of Mayor Andre Dickens, we are working intentionally to ensure that Atlanta becomes not only a leading international arts destination, but a model for how cities can center equity in cultural policy and practice. We hope this program guide offers you both insight and inspiration. It is a reflection of our commitment to cultural equity and a tool for staying connected to the work we're doing in partnership with the people of Atlanta. An investment in the arts is an investment in education innovation, community well-being, and justice. Together, we can sustain and grow Atlanta's cultural legacy, one that belongs to everyone. Adriane Jefferson Yours in art and culture, Adriane Jefferson OFFICE OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS & CONTRACTS FOR ART SERVICES The City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA), a division of the Mayor's Executive Offices was established in 1974 to encourage and support Atlanta's cultural resources. In order to improve the social fabric and quality of life for Atlanta's citizens and visitors, the OCA is committed to nurturing excellence and diversity in the city's artistic offerings. The OCA receives its funding from the City of Atlanta through an annual appropriation from the City's general fund and the Contracts for Arts Services (CAS) program awards contracts related to the production, creation, presentation, exhibition, and managerial support of artistic and cultural services in the City of Atlanta. VISION Our vision is to enhance the quality of life through cultural experiences that will expand Atlanta's international reputation. MISSION Our mission is to promote rich and diverse cultural experiences in the City of Atlanta while preserving and protecting the city's cultural heritage. We aspire to realize this mission in three ways: FUNDING PRIORITIES Ensure that artists and arts organizations have broad geographic distribution and perpetually reach diverse segments of the population in the City of Atlanta The involvement of all segments of the Atlanta community in funded activities is of central importance to the OCA. The OCA supports applicants who demonstrate diversity in their programs through artists, staff, committee, and board participation, as well as through programs that interest and educate Atlanta's culturally diverse and underserved populations. Priority populations include low-income youth, senior citizens, people with physical and/or emotional disabilities, ethnic minorities and the LGBTQ communities, and traditionally underrepresented audiences. All eligible proposals must provide services within the City limits for the direct benefit of Atlanta residents and visitors and must include viable plans to increase access and enhance the presence of arts and culture in Atlanta. Provide support for the existence of artists and arts organizations that are innovative and audacious in how they interact with the