City of Atlanta Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs

In 1990, Mayor Maynard Jackson had a vision for the arts in Atlanta. He initiated an arts summit that brought together over 500 leaders in Atlanta’s art community. This summit created the "Atlanta Blueprint for the Arts" that became the guiding force for the arts in this city and has been largely implemented in conjunction with established and emerging arts organizations. This Blueprint was a catalyst for change as Atlanta strived to be recognized as a premier city for the arts. More than a decade later, Atlanta has emerged as a regional cultural center. Through the strategic use of resources and creative ingenuity the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA) continues to provide programs that enrich the citizens of Atlanta and the region.

Our vision is to create an enhanced quality of life in Atlanta through cultural experiences. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life through cultural experiences that can serve as an international model. In the next few years, under the leadership of Mayor Andre Dickens, we will continue our work to move Atlanta forward as an international leader in the arts community.

An investment in the arts nurtures commerce, education and technology. The OCA is uniquely positioned to sustain and to expand Atlanta’s presence in the world arts community.