ABOUT
We believe the arts are essential to the quality of life of our citizens and to the economic and social health of our communities.
Our Mission
In 1979, the Fulton County Board of Commissioners established the Fulton County Arts Council to enhance the quality of life of Fulton County Residents. The Fulton County Arts Council and the Fulton County Department of Arts & Culture serves as Fulton County’s funding agency to support cultural programs and the agency which provides services to Fulton County based nonprofit arts organizations and Fulton County residents.
We believe the arts are essential to the quality of life of our citizens and to the economic and social health of our communities. The mission of the Fulton County Department of Arts and Culture is to insure all citizens’ access to the arts.
For more than 40 years Fulton County Arts & Culture has vigorously pursued quality arts programming through support and development of artists, arts organizations, arts institutions and cultural programming for residents.
Program Overview
The Fulton County Department of Arts & Culture assists the Fulton County Commission in the development of public policy on public support for the arts industry, makes recommendations to Fulton County Commissioners on funding the arts, and generally oversees the development and implementation of publicly assisted programs that address the diverse cultural needs for Fulton County's citizens.
Fulton County Arts & Culture is both partner and catalyst in developing new arts opportunities in Fulton County and supports programs that ensure broad access to the arts in Fulton County’s 15 municipalities and unincorporated areas.
Fulton County Arts and Culture serves Fulton County citizens by supporting, developing, and implementing arts and culture programming. Our department provides funding to contract arts organizations; manages Fulton County’s Public Art Program; conducts job readiness and life skills training through our Art at Work program; and provides arts instruction for children, teens and adults as well as annual cultural events through our neighborhood Arts Centers. We also organize master classes, workshops, and other training for artists and arts organizations and operate several galleries and performance venues.
OUR STAFF
DAVID MANUELDIRECTOR
DR. JOYCELYN J. FOWLERDEPUTY DIRECTOR
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Director
David Manuel is a celebrated who’s who in Georgia and for good reason. A graduate of the Atlanta College of Arts with a BFA in Advertising and Design. David has masterfully used his talent, network and expertise to bridge different cultures together using art as a vehicle. Manuel is a champion of the arts, a compassionate community activist, and self-published author of I Am a Father and I Am a Mother books. Formerly the Director of Community Relations at the Woodruff Arts Center and Deputy Director of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs for Dekalb County; David now serves as the Fulton County Arts & Culture Director. Manuel brings a diverse range of programming and creative ideas to the region. His vision for the county is that it will lead the nation as a place for creatives to continue to explore endless possibilities. Manuel oversees 2 Art Centers, Public Art Division, Fulton Government TV, Film Division, and the Contract for Service Division which awarded $2.3 million in arts funding to 190 artists and arts organizations in 2022. He sits on many boards and has partnered with companies such as Turner Broadcasting and HBO, just to name a few.
Manuel is the founder of the I Am a Father Initiative, Promoting Strengthening families and Organ Donor Awareness.
In 2015 he created the first of its kind, the I Am a Father 5k Run/Walk. In its 8th year, David has successfully galvanized communities to focus on strengthening families one mile at a time.
In 2013 David won the Non-Profit Executive of the Year from Regions Financial Corporation; was selected as the 2014 Voice of Influence from CBS Radio, named Positively Georgia by CBS46 News in 2015, received the Community Service Award from the NAACP, LUMM (Let Us Make Man) and Arby’s corporation. In 2017 David was recognized by Life Link of America in the 2017 Organ Transplant Calendar.
Personally speaking, while he spends most of his time working in the community, David is a certified mentor for the Georgia Transplant Foundation. As a liver transplant recipient, he believes the way to show gratitude for having a second chance is by educating and registering others to become organ donors, thereby giving the most precious gift ever, “the gift of life.” David resides in the DeKalb area with his wife Karren, and is the proud father of three, Branden, Blake, and Kaitlyn.
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Deputy Director
Please provide text
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Rob Pitts, Chairman
robb.pitts@fultoncountyga.gov
404-613-2330
Bob Ellis, Vice Chairman District 2
bob.ellis@fultoncountyga.gov
404-612-8216
Bridget Thorne, Commissioner District 1
bridget.thorne@fultoncounty.ga.gov
404-612-8215
Dana Barrett, Commissioner District 3
dana.barrett@fultoncountyga.gov
404-612-9800
Natalie Hall, District 4
natalie.hall@fultoncountyga.gov
404-612-8226
Marvin S. Arrington, Jr., Commissioner District 5
Marvin.Arrington@fultoncountyga.gov
404-613-0202
Khadijah Abdur-Rahman, Commissioner District 6
Khadijah.Abdur-Rahman@fultoncountyga.gov
404-612-8222
Tonya Grier, Clerk to the County Commissioner’s Office
Tonya.Grier@fultoncounty.ga.gov
404-612-8242
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The 15-member Arts Council, appointed by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, advises Commissioners on arts and cultural related policy. Each commissioner appoints two members for two-year rotating terms.
Arts Council Chair
Joe Bankoff
Arts Council Vice Chair
W. Imara Canady
District 1
Marie Willsey
Nilendra Chanda
District 2
Linda Bain
Kenny Kurtz
District 3
Catherine Fox
Sadie Talmadge
District 4
Onaje Henderson
Vacant
District 5
Angela Robinson
W. Imara Canady
District 6
Sandra DeShields Hightower
Brandon Tonge
District 7
Nikki Davis Crump
Pamela Smith
LEARN MORE…
still have some questions? Check out our faqS PAGE!
For more information contact: aacinfo@fultoncountyga.org
creating access and opportunities for all!
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