The City of Atlanta is throwing a grand celebration dubbed 'ELEVATE: 50 Years of Culture' as announced by the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, offering Atlantans a variety of cultural events to partake in from September 20 through October 13. Kicking off the lineup is an event at the High Museum of Art on September 20, where attendees will hear insights from former Mayor Shirley Franklin and other notables in a discussion tracing the impact of the Office of Cultural Affairs on Atlanta’s arts scene over the past 50 years, according to the City of Atlanta.
Families can look forward to 'A Day in the Park with the Arts: A Kids Festival' held in Piedmont Park on September 21, featuring an interactive art experience, live performances, and more to celebrate artistic creativity among youth, while a cinematic retrospective charting Atlanta's film history through various screenings will take place at Plaza Theatre on September 22. Events like the Steele Bridge Art Installation and the unveiling of a mural from Lagos artist Chinemerem Omeh in Underground Atlanta will allow the city's inhabitants and visitors alike to get tangibly immersed in the rich tapestry of Atlanta's artistry, while Freedom Park will introduce new sculptural artworks from Jamaal Barber and Alex Brewer starting September 29.
In what promises to be a hallmark of the festival, Atlanta’s public art landscape will be enhanced with the unveiling of 'The Splendid' by Ugo Rondinone in Freedom Park and a sculpture by Ryan Gander in Grant Park. The latter installation, 'Things Just Happened to Him,' can be viewed by pedestrians just outside the parking garage on Boulevard as of October 11. The Mayor’s Gallery at City Hall will feature the 'Master Artists Series Remembered Exhibition' during the October 4 Art Soiree. This event will reminisce about the history of the Master Artists Series, which has hosted numerous professionals who have significantly influenced Atlanta's visual arts scene.
A particularly unique feature of the ELEVATE program includes free tickets to cultural venues, with the Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs teaming up with various partners to offer access for citizens to engage with the city's vibrant arts scene through 2,500 free tickets during the fall. This year's festival not only commemorates half a century of cultural endeavors but also continues the mission to promote rich and educational cultural experiences and to enhance the quality of life in Atlanta, with full details available on the ELEVATE events website, which provides updated information on all festival happenings.
