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Southeast Community Cultural Center (SECCC), opened its first facility, The Arts Exchange, in 1984. Since its beginning in Atlanta’s Grant Park community, the organization has been known as a gathering place for artists of all disciplines and a place where the community can experience the arts through classes and exposure to performances, and gallery exhibits. The organizational mission was and continues to be; to maintain a center for the arts and creativity that welcomes professional to novice; accessible to all regardless of income, geography, sexual orientation, or ability. Where the right to use art to contemplate the world and the human condition translates into the amplification of long-silenced voices and visions through creative processes.
In 1982-1983, The poet and community organizer, Ebon Dooley worked with a diverse group of artists, politicians, union organizers, activists, and community supporters, to get a lease from the Atlanta Board of Education for the former Grant Park Elementary School. He wanted a facility to house artists and organizations displaced by the closing of The Neighborhood Arts Center. The Arts Exchange continued a long tradition of housing and supporting black artists and black culture in Atlanta. When we opened, we changed the paradigm for what an in-town community arts center can do to serve artists and the greater community. The building housed two galleries, a recording studio, the 400-seat Robeson Theater, 2 dance studios offering modern, Ballet, and West African dance; 15 artist studios, on 4.5 acres of grounds for festivals and music events. The Robeson hosted a performing arts series, and a new music concert series supporting alternative music. Our support for local musicians and bands was recognized by Creative Loafing who named The Arts Exchange "the most important site for new music in the city" three years in a row.
A list of artists who have called The Arts Exchange home reads like a "Who's Who" of the art world and includes Guggenheim Fellows Beverly Buchanan, Kevin Cole, Rocio Rodriquez, Jack Sinclair the creator of the Mattress Factory Exhibit, Louis Delsarte, to Jim Alexander, Kevin Cole. Performance groups have included The African Dance Ensemble, Terri Axam Total Dance Theatre, McClendon School of Dance, Sheria Enahora Tabala Arts, a Ti Chi and martial arts school for youth and adults. Moving in the Spirit, Ballethnic, and Elisabeth Williams-Omilami, are among the artists who made their fist performance on our stage.
The Arts Exchange was part of some iconic moments in Atlanta's cultural history. It was the inaugural site of the ROOTS Festival designed and organized by The Arts Exchange in 1988 and 1990, and funded by the National Black Arts Festival. With visual artists Thomasina Bradford and Donna Picken, we worked to fund, plan, and host the legendary "Re-Thinking the Sacred Image" conference looking at feminism, religious studies, and the creation and promotion of sacred art.
Our Summer Arts Enrichment Program for Youth was first offered in 1985 and grew so successful that it became a model program, held up as an innovative way to serve and nourish art for youth throughout the state of Georgia. Taught by studio and guest artists, youth ages 5-15 received rigorous training in visual arts, dance, creative writing, film critique, and music.
In 1991, Artistic Director Eddie Billups was able to hire Freddie Hendrick with funds from the City of Atlanta with the goal of creating a youth performance group. This was the beginning of what became the Freddie Hendrix Youth Ensemble of Atlanta, we provided a home for three years, and among his first company members were the alumni of the Summer Arts Enrichment Institute.
After 3 decades in Grant Park, we watched the neighborhood undergo extreme changes as a focus of the growing movement toward gentrification. In 2016 we sold the Kalb St. facility. In 2017, we bought and renovated the former Jere Ware Elementary School (later known as the Romar Academy). The ArtsXchange is a name reflecting a renewed purpose and relocation to a facility designed by and for artists, that meets ADA guidelines for accessibility while offering a flourishing schedule of arts experiences for people of all generations and abilities. We believe we are the largest and most diverse artist-run and owned facility, and arts services provider in South Fulton County.
Since taking occupancy in December 2018, The ArtsXchange has been a thriving example of creative placemaking with a focus on art for the people's sake, our openness and inclusivity in an industry that can feel exclusive, the ability to show emerging artists alongside seasoned artists, and even the reigniting and renovating an abandoned school as a place of arts learning.
As a small, grassroots nonprofit, we rely on collaboration to offer a wide range of programs and events; offering practicing, professional artists a chance to nurture their creativity, make their work available to the public, provide ways for them to share their arts practice, and provide educational opportunities with the public. Having artists and events housed in one facility makes for ample opportunities to nourish and stimulate the creativity of the audiences and students.
We survived the schedule of the COVID-19 pandemic by increasing the virtual programs and moving programs to the 1.5 acres of outdoor space. Since mid-2021, we returned with new exhibitions, classes, music and performance programs, STEAM-based arts education projects, and community-curated events that together attract the participation of over 11,000 youth and adults annually. We continued the mission to be a home to artists, social justice activists, and creative entrepreneurs, to serve the communities with artistic learning experiences, and; to enrich lives by celebrating art, inspiring creativity, and building understanding by connecting people.
As we move into our 40th years of community arts and service, we reflect on the individuals and resources that have committed to us through collaborations and partnerships, Morehouse School of Mediacine Innovation Lab, East Point Community Advisory Committee, Compost NOW, South Fulton Arts, United Arts, Gilbert Young, and are in place to make 2023 the best year ever. The Board recently added an Outreach Committee, led, and designed by young adults in their 20s with the goal of engaging emerging artists who may benefit from the resources we have on-site and increasing the number of millennials that we serve while advising us as we develop programs. Artist Kevin Cole organized a Benefit Collectors Showcase art sale. While Gilbert Young donated 100 prints of his famous work “He’s Not Heavy” and a limited-edition print. With our partners, we plan to deepen the reach into underserved and working-class communities thanks to partnerships with the City of East Point/Morehouse School of Medicine on the Health Equity Plan through our service on the Community Advisory Board. South Fulton Institute and Arts United. The Pierians, The Society, I Am Arts Foundation, and EVOLV Acting Studio. We continue to partner with Art Pharmacy, a referral network for care providers (doctors, behavioral health specialists, etc.) to prescribe arts interventions for aging adults showing risk factors for social isolation and depression; and adolescents (12-24) with behavioral health conditions, specifically anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.
Jack Sinclair Gallery is named for Jack Sinclair, one of the organizers of the early Mattress Factory Shows and owner of the Metropolitan Gallery. Jack built the first gallery and named it after his closed gallery. The Arts Exchange Metropolitan Gallery opened in 1986. Jack brought with him contacts and influence, allowing us to continue his tradition of openness and acceptance of art from multiple genres and diverse communities. Today we continue that tradition of being that place to support emerging MFA Visual Arts graduates to established artists. Jack Sinclair Gallery supports six to eight exhibitions annually, along with curated programs that connect with the exhibition themes, and an artist's talks.
The Literature and Literary Program began with the Atlanta Writers Resource Center led by transplanted New York poet and organizer Malkia M’Buzi Moore. Malkia created a program deeply rooted in the writing community and supported by writers like Eugene Redmond, and Askia Touré, the current Literature and Literacy Program coordinated by Theresa Davis offers 5 literary events a month, including a monthly Scrabble Club.
Entering year number three, A Family that Creates Together encourages families to attend STEAM-based arts education classes as a unit. The goal is to help relieve anxiety, stress, and depression and offer educational learning in a creative and fun atmosphere. 2023 workshops led by seasoned teaching artists Jeff Mather, Marquetta Johnson, and Theresa Davis will take place between January and April, culminating in The Joy of Learning Festival in May. Jeff and Marquetta will lead students in breaking down the elements of math that apply to engineering, introducing them to simple tools and the design of a sculpture. He teaches them to create the bones of the sculpture and Marquetta teaches them how to design the skin to cover the sculpture. Theresa Davis and Marquetta Johnson collaborate on a creative writing and story quilt-making module for students ages 8-12 years and their parents or caregivers. Leading the participants in an exploration of identity and place, writing in a variety of styles, and drawing upon their experiences. These classes culminate in the production of a handmade chapbook. Marquetta Johnson will guide participants in the creation of a small family story quilt.
Fresh Oasis Community Garden provides families and individuals with garden beds to grow fresh produce and healthy eating classes. We partner with Champion Gardeners Youth Entrepreneurs and Nature’s Candy Farms. Thanks to a grant from Food Well Alliance and a donation from Dr. Doris Derby the garden was expanded to over 30 raised beds, offering space for individuals and families to purchase beds to plant and harvest their personal gardens. We now have vegetables, herbs, butterfly, and flower gardens along with fruit trees.
The Studio Artists Program supports art makers and creatives, emerging to mid-career by providing them an economic base to sustain their creative careers, and a space for community engagement. Studio artists include: I Am Arts Performance Company. Dr. Tiffany Mingo & Wise Mingo. Offering various genres of dance, West African drumming, performance arts, summer camp for youth. The Jim Alexander Collection. Jim Alexander, photographer. Documentary photography of Black culture, music, and protests from the 1960s to today. Sista Seuss Productions. Theresa Davis. Slam poet, educator, and Creator of Miniature Environments. GP Creative Studios. Ric Washington. Graphic designer and printer, mixed media artist. Sista Shaman. N’Dieye Gray Danavall. Photographer, digital media producer and spiritual worker. Evolv Acting Studio. Victor Love. Film/TV actor, acting coach and founder of Evolv, which offers a range of classes for actors. Art by Kenneth Zakee . Kenneth Zakee. Textile and gourd artist, painter, artist and poet. Myriam Dondzina. Artist/painter, Capoeira instructor. Deputy of Cities for The Nature Conservancy. Black Tree Arts. Tafawa Hicks. Photographer and custom framer. Nature’s Candy Farms & Pyramid Sunrise Yoga. tenisio seanima. Farmer, yoga teacher, WRFG radio DJ. Lisa Tuttle Studio. Lisa Tuttle. Painter, mixed media artist, art educator, curator. Vibrance Centre for Voice and Movement. Frances “Frankie” Mulinix. Butoh-based dancer, performance artist, producer, dramaturge, choreographer, director, teacher, and intimacy choreographer and coordinator. Champion Gardener Youth Entrepreneurs. Carolyn “Charlie” Robinson. Youth-run (ages 5-16) agricultural business, outreach program for seniors, Farmer’s Market and fresh food events. Mirror Image Entertainment. Carlos Glover. Musician, producer, and entrepreneur.
Paul Robeson Theater Incubator Project exists to identify and support performing artists to produce new work and to grow their audience. In 2022 we supported Meadowlark Film, led by 3 emerging arts leaders in their 20’s to produce a new play based on the 1906 Atlanta riot and a short film. We are proud to support the work of jazz musicians through sponsorship of Joseph “Joe” Jennings and Joe’s Jazz Joint on Sunday evenings from 4-7 p.m. For 2024 we are happy to support the work of Atlanta playwright, Dr. Janice Liddell, who has produced her plays across the country and in several other countries. Janice will work with two other playwrights to bring new work celebrating the life and contributions of seniors as they live their lives with love and commitment. Elders Igniting will premiere in May 2024 for three performances.
The Annual Ebon Dooley Arts and Social Justice Awards, now in its 6th year, honors the life work and contributions of the founder, advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. In 202 the honorees include Janice Liddell - Change Maker. Roselyn Lewis - Bridge Builder. Marshall Rancifer - Economic Justice. Carlton Mackey - Social Justice Champion. Meadowlark Pictures – Zipporah Dorsey, Solomon Simmons, and Noah Washington - Emerging Leaders. Ashley Dopson - Jack Sinclair Visual Artist Award.
Honorees for the 2023 Awards were: Sister Omelika Kuumba, groundbreaking African dancer and drummer, co-founder of Giwayen Mata, and longtime Spelman professor; BronzeLens Film Festival of Atlanta, an acclaimed festival that spotlights women creators and works to solidify Atlanta’s place in the film and TV industry; Courtney Brooks, a muralist and curator who builds community and honors Black women through her initiative, Journey of a Black Girl; Jonathan JourneyBrave Banks, a photographer and filmmaker whose lens illuminates forgotten or marginalized lives; 7 Stages Theatre, a global-minded production house that shines light on political, social and spiritual plays, and uplifts budding playwrights; and SisterSong, the fierce and unyielding women of color reproductive justice collective.
We are committed to:
Providing affordable studio facilities and support to emerging, mid-career, and established artists;
Being an initiating bridge for opportunities for cultural exchange and arts education — artist-to-artist, and artist-to-community;
Serve as a dynamic community based economic resource
Maintain a vital multi-disciplinary, intergenerational, and multi-ethnic environment.
Honor the rich legacy of artists, creatives, donors, volunteers, and organizations that have intersected the Arts(E)Xchange's 40-year history.
Affect positive change by advocating arts, human rights, and social justice.
Fiscal responsibility and excellent non-profit organization management practice