By Howard Pousner
hpousner@ajc.com

The setting for the first in a series of statewide community forums to develop a five-year strategic plan for the Georgia Council for the Arts was a blank, white-walled gallery, which seemed — at least symbolically — apt.

With a new place in the state government structure (under the Department of Economic Development) and a new leader (Karen L. Paty) to guide it, the GCA appears ready to gut it to the walls and start fresh.

Monday’s gathering at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia in Buckhead, the first of seven forums across the state, featured opening remarks by Gov. Nathan Deal. Deal spoke to the audience of 100-plus, mainly arts leaders and artists, with enthusiasm about the role of the arts in conveying cultural heritage, as well as its impact on the economy and (potentially) education.

Though his appearance lent symbolic support, the governor, in a brief Q&A after his talk, gave little hope of additional state arts funding.

After …

Continue reading Despite cutbacks, Georgia Council for the Arts looks to future »

THEATER
Georgia Shakespeare hire
As part of its efforts to dig out of debt and reorganize its business operations, Georgia Shakespeare has announced Lauren Morris will become its managing director, a position unfilled for more than three years. Starting Nov. 14, Morris comes from the Long Beach Playhouse in California where she helped lead a turnaround of the 82-year-old institution. Since launching the “Save Georgia Shakespeare” campaign seven weeks ago, the Atlanta troupe has raised $365,000 from 1,170 supporters toward a year-end goal of $500,000. HOWARD POUSNER

FILM
A silent film revived
Out on Film is presenting a 10th anniversary screening of Atlanta filmmaker Milford Thomas’ “Claire,” a 53-minute black-and-white silent film, at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Woodruff Arts Center’s Rich Auditorium. The film played international film festivals accompanied by the Orchestra de Lune, a 11-piece chamber orchestra. Proceeds from Thursday’s screening (tickets, $17.50) will allow …

Continue reading Culture notes: Georgia Shakespeare hires managing director; 10th anniversary revival of Atlanta filmmaker’s silent film »