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About
Atlanta Contemporary engages the public through the creation, presentation and advancement of contemporary art.
A community that offers ever-expanding support for the creation and appreciation of contemporary art.
Founded in 1973 as Nexus, a grassroots artists’ cooperative, Atlanta Contemporary has since become one of the southeast’s leading contemporary art centers. We play a vital role in Atlanta’s cultural landscape by presenting over 200 consequential artists and creatives from the local, national, and international art scenes through our various exhibition, project spaces, and programs each year. We commission new works, paying particular attention to artists who have not had a significant exhibition in the Southeast. We organize over 125 programs annually including Contemporary Kids, Contemporary Cocktails, Contemporary Talks, and more! Atlanta Contemporary provides 13 on-site subsidized studio space to working artists through the Studio Artist Program.
Letter from the director
Dear Artists, Friends, Members, and Patrons,
On January 10th, I announced Atlanta Contemporary’s 2020 Curatorial Goals inviting a range of diverse, established, and emerging curators to mount high-profile exhibitions in our main galleries and project spaces. Due to COVID-19, everything changed. And now with our community in peril, I recognize and re-affirm them … with some additions.
2020 Goals
1. Uphold the highest standards of artistic excellence
2. Provide opportunities for diverse voices – as artists, curators, partners, and patrons
3. Highlight and celebrate artists, art and programming that directly relate to and reflect our communities
4. Enhance engagement through accessibility, cultural competency, education, and inclusion
5. Ensure that Atlanta Contemporary reflect the diversity present in the city we love
I recognize our organization’s – as well as my own – responsibility in this moment and in this movement. I am proud of the work we have done and acknowledge the work we must do to be better.
To the staff and board – I am grateful for your voice and your willingness to engage in difficult conversations. To our artists, curators, funders, members and partners that support our ability to fulfill our mission, I thank you. To you – Atlanta Contemporary’s public – I stand with you as we continue to highlight Black and Brown voices.
I welcome your suggestions on how to build a more equitable organization so as to ensure a more just society.
Sincerely,Veronica Kessenich
Executive Director
Our Studio Artist Program supports local working artists by providing subsidized studio space and by fostering a collaborative environment supportive of the creative process.
Staff
Jordan Taylor
Graphic Designer
He/Him/His
Makiko Maekawa
Contemporary Kids Instructor
She/Her/Hers
Board
Katina Asbell
Board Chair
Associate Broker, Real Living Capital City
Mace Aluia
Vice President, Corporate Partnership Sales at AMB Sports & Entertainment, Atlanta Falcons / Atlanta United
Odessa M. Archibald
Area Manager, Georgia Power
Stephen Boyd
Managing Director – Accenture Interactive | Products
Natalie Figuero
Business Planning & Operations Lead, Commerce at Facebook
Emily de Golian, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist and Fellowship Trained Mohs Surgeon at Dermatology Consultants, P.C.
Charles "Chip" Mann
Retired
Andrew Rodbell
Co-founder Post Meridiem Spirit Company
Barbara Russell
Senior Director, Institutional Giving at Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta
Meghan Shakar
Leadership Coach & Startup Advisor Founder, Verandi LLC
Our Values
Our Core Values guide us in our work. Along with our Strategic Plan, our staff and board are committed to using our Core Values in the creation, presentation, and advancement of contemporary art.
Innovation
We present experiences that are relevant to contemporary culture. We do this by inviting artists to create, introduce, and present artistic ideas.
Access
We provide a community-focused environment that fosters inclusivity and respect.
Quality
We uphold the highest standards of artistic, programmatic, and organizational excellence in every interaction that we have.
Influence
We lead our field and receive peer recognition through flawless program execution and effective implementation of our plans. We are responsive to our audience and those who aspire to work in the field of contemporary art.
Collaboration
We embrace and work with a wide variety of organizations, neighbors, partners, and communities to reach common goals and provide access to contemporary art in a variety of forms.