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Transfer Ceremony Planned for South Fulton Arts Centers on Jan. 9

The City of South Fulton will hold a transfer ceremony on Thursday, January 9, as it officially acquires the Southwest and South Fulton Arts Centers from Fulton County. The ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. at the Southwest Arts Center located at 915 New Hope Road, SW.

Through its newly expanded Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department, the city is building on the instructional and performance programming previously facilitated by the county. New partnerships with the Atlanta Opera, the Serenbe Institute and other instructors and production companies are planned.

“Our arts program will celebrate the many talents of the residents of South Fulton and these arts centers will be the stages where those talents can flourish and be shared,” said Mayor William “Bill” Edwards. “At the same time, they will allow us to host some of the world’s best performers and artists, including some who call our city and region home.

“Our goal is to ensure a smooth and seamless transfer,” Edwards continued. “We will work strategically to ensure there are no breaks in the availability of popular programs offered to residents, including summer camps, dance instruction and art classes.”

Assessments of both facilities are underway to determine what repairs, renovations and upgrades are necessary before classes start. Edwards said the city will make significant investments in the South Fulton arts centers in coming years. The city recently unveiled a strategic planning process that will define its arts and culture programming. Residents will be able to help shape that vision through public meetings.

The transfer ceremony will feature remarks by city and county officials, comments from representatives of the Atlanta Opera and True Colors and tours of the Southwest Arts Center.

he Southwest Arts Center opened in 2001, and includes classroom space, visual art exhibition space, and a black box theater. The campus also includes a gallery and a 375-auditorium and theater, which opened in 2008.

The South Fulton Arts Center, located in the Cliftondale Multipurpose Facility, includes classroom spaces, a pottery studio, and a 200-seat theater.

Fulton County Arts and Culture and the City of South Fulton’s Department of Recreation and Cultural Affairs have partnered to navigate the transition. The county will facilitate courses at the South Fulton arts centers through Feb. 3. The two departments are working together to help ensure the continuity of operations in response to overwhelming public support for the two arts facilities. 

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