2022 Annual Report

Welcome

In 2022, South Arts focused on sustainability, momentum, and impact as we worked toward our mission: advancing Southern vitality through the arts.

Watch Video Welcome

2022 in Review

Reflect back with us on 2022, and the artists, organizations, and communities from the South Arts family that made this year spectacular.

Watch Video 2022 in Review

Our Impact, by the Numbers

Our fiscal year 2022 was a year of growth. As our artists, organizations, and communities returned to in-person experiences, South Arts increased our investments and portfolio, increasing the opportunities for our constituents to meaningfully share their work. This resulted in more grants, partnerships, professional development, and connections across our nine-state region and the country.

Samuel Francis Smith and Art Thief on tour with support from a Jazz Road Tours grant. Photo by Samuel Francis Smith.

In 2022 we granted $9660593
to artists and organizations.

595

GRANTS AWARDED

Across

17

Programs

$4148558

Supporting artists
and community leaders

$5507035

Supporting arts organizations
and community groups

From the South Arts Team

South Arts staff shares with you the “Magic Moments” that made this a fantastic year.

Watch Video From the South Arts Team

Press Features and Mountaintops

"Creativity is worth investing in."

Our special initiative Southern Cultural Treasure, built with lead funding from the Ford Foundation, is supporting 17 organizations led by and serving Black, Indigenous, and People of Color with an investment of $6M over the coming years. Read what some of the press had to say about this new program:

BARRON'S

Arts Groups Named as ‘Southern Cultural Treasures’ in $6 Million Grant Program

IL GIORNALE DELL'ARTE

Giorno per giorno nell’arte | 7 luglio 2022

BIRMINGHAM BUSINESS JOURNAL

Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame selected for arts initiative

THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION

New funding, Kennedy Center debut give Ballethnic strong footing for future

THE MIAMI HERALD

'Like winning the lottery.' These BIPOC arts groups in Miami got a much needed windfall

THE ART NEWSPAPER

South Arts and the Ford Foundation launch $6m programme supporting Southern arts organisations

SOUTH CHARLOTTE WEEKLY

JazzArts to get boost from Southern Cultural Treasures initiative

THE POST AND COURIER

2 SC organizations to receive part of a $6M funding initiative

Ashé Cultural Arts Center’s Maafa Commemoration. Photo by Gason Ayisyin.

Around the Region

South Arts primary region are the nine states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Our programs support the creative communities, artists, and organizations with grants, connections, and leadership. Explore the map below to learn about a few highlights of 2022.

Stove Works in Chattanooga, Tennessee, presented Romeo y Julieta in September 2021. Photo by Stove Works.

In These Mountains Site Visit

Graduate student documentarians from Appalachian State University, Western Kentucky University, and East Tennessee State University met and worked together in person for the first time as part of In These Mountains.
Explore Story
Webinars

Led by Nate McGaha, executive director of Arts North Carolina, South Arts held a free workshop exploring the role and power of advocacy.
Explore Story
ETAP, In These Mountains

Robbie Teasdale, Emerging Traditional Artist Program participant, used his award to construct a traditional woodfire anagama kiln on his parent’s farm in Decatur, Tennessee.
Explore Story
Momentum

Wideman Davis Dance, one of the five South Arts Momentum dance companies, explores media and interdisciplinary arts as part of reimagining and reclaiming antebellum homes.

Explore Story
South Arts new Staff

In 2022, South Arts added several positions to support new programs and operations. While we are based in Atlanta, staff is often travelling to meet new people and learn about the region.
Explore Story
Jazz Road

Jazz artist Sammy Figueroa revisited his late father's legacy in a collaborative recording with support from a Jazz Road Creative Residencies grant.
Explore Story
South Arts new Board members

South Arts is governed by a dynamic board of 26 individuals from our nine-state region and beyond; In 2022, we welcomed four new board members, including "slow design" pioneer Natalie Chanin of Florence, Alabama.
Explore Story
Southern Circuit

Film producer Darcy McKinnon visited with community members at Bologna Performing Arts Center in Cleveland, Mississippi after a Southern Circuit screening of the documentary The Neutral Ground.
Explore Story
Southern Prize 2022

Southern Prize recipient and Louisiana State Fellow Hannah Chalew explores our changing climate through her artwork and installations.
Explore Story

Board & Staff

Thank you to the South Arts Board of Directors for their generous service! Comprised of creatives, artists, entrepreneurs, and other leaders, their guidance and dedication are a vital role in our service to the region.

The University of North Carolina Wilmington Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion engaged visual artist Maya Freelon to develop an interactive tissue paper quilt. Photo by Lauryl Meile.

South Arts was founded 50 years ago to support the arts and culture of our region. As a Regional Arts Organization, we partner with the National Endowment for the Arts, the State Arts Agencies of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee as well as individuals, and other public and private funders to fulfill our mission: advancing Southern vitality through the arts.

Board Leadership

Neil Barclay, Chair
Detroit, MI
Cathy Adams, Vice Chair
Fernandina Beach, FL
William McKinney, Secretary
Raleigh NC & Greenville SC
Elliot Knight, Treasurer
Montgomery, AL

Board Membership

Alejandro Aguirre
Miami, FL
Jeff Bell
Raleigh, NC
Christopher Cather
Frankfort, KY
Natalie Chanin
Florence, AL
Elmore Demott
Montgomery, AL
John T. Edge
Oxford, MS
Olga Garay-English
Los Angeles, CA
Sonya Halpern
Atlanta, GA
Glenda E. Hood
Orlando, FL
Susannah Johannsen
Baton Rouge, LA
Tina Lilly
Atlanta, GA
Gretchen McLennon
Memphis, TN
Bill Medich
Charleston, SC
Kara Olidge
Los Angeles, CA
Nina Parikh
Jackson, MS
David Platts
Columbia, SC
Anne B. Pope
Nashville, TN
Alice Randall
Nashville, TN
Nigel Redden
Mystic, CT
Dennis Scholl
Miami Beach, FL
Sandy Shaughnessy
Tallahassee, FL
Mike Woodard
Durham, NC

Staff

Conrhonda E. Baker, Assistant Program Director
Michael Bosarge, Vice President of Finance & Operations
Ellie Dassler, Assistant Director, Traditional Arts
Nikki Estes, Director, Presenting & Touring
Damien Harrison, Accounting & Human Resources Manager
Jessyca Holland, Director, Organization & Community Initiatives
Teresa Hollingsworth, Director, Traditional Arts
Cathy Lee, Director, Database & Technology
Dalyla McGee, Development Officer
Leland McKeithan, Director, Special Projects & Accessibility Coordinator
Charles Phaneuf, Vice President of Strategy
Dimitry Ponomarenko, Accounting & Operations Manager
Ashleigh Porter, Digital Content Manager
Ivan Schustak, Director, Communications
Emmitt Stevenson, Director, Arts Engagement
Suzette M. Surkamer, President & CEO
Drew Tucker, Director, Jazz
Miranda Valerio, Executive Assistant and Board Manager
Sabrina Wilder, Executive Team Adminstrative Manager
Jordan Young, Director, Media Arts & Design Manager
Joy Young, Vice President of Programs

The 2022 Hilton Head Island Lantern Parade, supported by an Express Grant, is a free creative placemaking event and an opportunity for the surrounding community and visitors to celebrate the history, ecology and people of Hilton Head Island, consisting of four public art making workshops and two parades led by artist Chantelle Rytter.
Photo credit: Gustavo Rattia.
See More Work

The 2022 Hilton Head Island Lantern Parade was supported by an Express Grant. Photo by Gustavo Rattia.

Financials

The McIntosh County Shouters in a spring 2022 residency at the Savannah Music Festival. Photo by Somi Studios.

Income

Private Contributions & Other Income

$12,869,955

Federal Grants

$2,613,220

State Grants & Contributions

$266,000

Revenue

$15,749,175

Expenses

$8,104,904

Change in Net Assets

$7,608,271

During FY 2022, a one-time gift from a private donor accounted for 51% of the Organization’s revenues. The numbers presented in this report are unaudited at this time. For a complete audit, when available, or any other questions, please contact Dalyla McGee, Development Officer, at dmcgee@southarts.org or 404-874-7244 x832.

Looking Ahead

The South Arts team is looking forward to another powerful year in 2023.

Watch Video Looking Ahead

Thank You

To those who make our work possible

Flatfoot dancer, clogger, and dance caller Rodney Sutton (center) and the Green Grass Cloggers at the Global Roots of Appalachian Mountain Dance Symposium. Photo by Jesse Barber.