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One of Gwinnett’s newest claims to fame – the arts proponent
ArtWorks! Gwinnett – has made great strides since its launch of
full-time staffed operations and programming in June 2011. The
stand-alone tax-exempt, nonprofit organization that was sparked by
Partnership Gwinnett cultivates and promotes the arts to enhance
cultural and economic capital and enrich Gwinnett residents
and businesses. Since the June hiring of Executive Director Sally
Corbett, the nonprofit has: represented Gwinnett’s arts community
throughout the region; served as an information clearinghouse,
consultant and collaborator for arts projects and groups; and has
held a community forum, monthly professional development
workshops, and an awards program.
With a successful start on building a strong foundation for the
arts in Gwinnett, which have an estimated economic impact of more
than $2 million annually, Artworks! Gwinnett Board Members give
their perspective on the first eight months of Artworks! operations.
Anthony Rodriguez, Aurora Theatre
ArtWorks! Gwinnett Board Member
As a Board Member, I have been impressed with
the monthly workshops and industry expert
panels presented by ArtWorks! These workshops
provide organizations and artists the opportunity
to learn from experts and colleagues on topics
like grant writing, corporate sponsorships, board development and
marketing. This is a great way for ArtWorks! Gwinnett to have a
positive impact on the arts community. Aurora Theatre has had the
privilege to present at a marketing workshop and roundtable and to
participate in sessions which have attracted arts professionals from
the entire metropolitan Atlanta area, and as an added benefit these
sessions have created an environment which fosters cooperation and
collaboration between arts groups.
Matt Hyatt, Rocket IT
ArtWorks! Gwinnett Co-Chair
A highlight of the last eight months was the
inaugural ArtWorks! Gwinnett Awards in January.
This countywide celebration of the arts attracted
a crowd of 250. The Director and the Board of
ArtWorks! produced the event with enthusiastic
volunteers, including 50 artists, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders.
Arts, corporate, and municipal leaders were among the 19 award
recipients and 10 honorable mention winners. Guests walked
away rewarded and enlightened by the night’s performances and
the testimonials about creative achievements in Gwinnett. The
event helped to fulfill our goal of bringing visibility to the arts. We
are grateful to fellow ArtWorks! Board Members, Georgia Power,
Primerica, and Jackson EMC for sponsoring the program. I look
forward to our student awards this spring. We already have over 100
student nominees.
Caryn McGarity, The McGarity Group Law Firm
& Barefoot in the Park
ArtWorks! Gwinnett Co-Chair
I am excited that Artworks! Gwinnett is inspiring
our communities, arts organizations, and artists to
collaborate and participate, and to see Gwinnett’s
arts interests are consistently represented in the
region. We launched ArtWorks! membership at our September
19 Community Forum and now have more than a dozen arts and
culture organizations as members along with several corporations,
five municipalities and more than 30 individuals. In addition to
providing convenient, local programs and forums for education and
networking, ArtWorks! has gone out and represented Gwinnett with
regional entities such as: Atlanta Regional Commission, Georgia
Council for the Arts, the Arts Development Council of Georgia,
Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund, C4 Atlanta, AtlantaPlanit, and
Arts Leaders of Metro Atlanta Alumni. For more information on
ArtWorks! Gwinnett visit email info@
artworksgwinnett.org, or call 678-474-1701.
Question & Answer Session
ArtWorks! Gwinnett
Presented by
Today’s entrepreneur is tomorrow’s corporate executive!
Join the Gwinnett Chamber in celebrating Gwinnett’s top
businesses at the Pinnacle Small Business Awards.
April 27 • 11:30 am
Atlanta Marriott—Gwinnett Place
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THE EXECUTIVE – winter 2012
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