C4 Atlanta Inc. is a non-profit arts service organization whose mission is to connect arts entrepreneurs to the people, skills and tools they need to build a successful artistic career in metro Atlanta. The organization was founded in July 2010 in response to a growing need for business services for Atlanta’s arts community. C4 Atlanta fulfills this mission by offering professional practice classes for artists, fiscal sponsorship, co-working space, and more.
OUR MISSION
C4 Atlanta connects arts entrepreneurs to the people, skills and tools they need to build a successful artistic career in metro Atlanta.
OUR VISION
Every working artists makes a living making art.
HISTORY
Big Bang
C4 Atlanta incorporated as a nonprofit in July, 2010. Before forming what was to become C4 Atlanta, the team spent hundreds of hours conducting an environmental scan of local and national arts services. Through this market analysis, the C4 Atlanta team determined that there existed a need within the community for business development services specifically designed with the artist in mind.
The C4 Atlanta Action Team began this endeavor under some of the worst possible economic conditions we faced in our lifetimes. Businesses in nearly every sector were hemorrhaging jobs, and the Atlanta region was among the unfortunate leaders in this race to the bottom.
Supernova
In 2011, we streamlined our programs to focus primarily on arts professionals. We developed a series of “core” professional development offerings by 2012, and we began operating a shared work space for artists and small, creative businesses.
Between 2013 and 2015, we experienced exponential growth in terms of both services and capacity. Our capacity continues to grow each year with the addition of staff members and paid, working artists to facilitate classes. In 2015, the C4 Atlanta Board of Directors added advocacy for arts workers as a resource we provide the field. Over the next several years, we will continue to reach out to artists and creative professionals for feedback, integrate that feedback, and strive to maintain the highest of professional offerings.Universe Expanding
Our mission reflects the core areas of challenges C4 Atlanta will address within the arts and culture community. The mission also leverages our core competencies as a team, board and business partners within Atlanta, and nationally.
Our mission will continue to evolve over time — and we hope the evolution will be expansive. Today, our service area is the metro Atlanta region. In addition to strengthening our existing core competencies, we hope to develop new competencies so that we continue to serve the needs of Atlanta’s arts community.
IMPACT
As an organization focused on arts entrepreneurship, C4 Atlanta, above all else, respects the working artist. Artists should always be compensated for the work they perform, whether the compensation is monetary or in bartered form. C4 Atlanta values learning and reflection from all of its stakeholders. We share knowledge openly and constructively. In all the professional development opportunities we offer, we facilitate the learning process more than we teach.
For many artists the perfect combination of circumstances, connections, knowledge, financial stability or other support and resources comes too late for action or production to occur. Individuals have the power to transform communities. Each of our stakeholders – the staff, members, directors, volunteers, donors and others – can be a change agent in the arts community in Metro Atlanta.
Sustainability is not enough. Many artists face great challenges to their livelihoods throughout their careers. We strive to help artists surpass sustainability so that they can focus on what’s important – making art – through building resiliency within our organization and offerings. Every artist has the power within to become a transformative leader. The best arts advocacy lies in the power of the artist to transform people, businesses and whole communities.
TEAM
Jessyca Holland
Executive Director
Jessyca has worked as an arts administrator for over fifteen years in Atlanta. Before joining the world of nonprofit arts administration, Jessyca was an independent actor performing in Greater Atlanta. Jessyca is the co-founder of C4 Atlanta (2010).
Audrey Gámez
Education Director
Audrey Gámez brings 13 years of education experience to her role as Education Director for C4 Atlanta. She is a sought after speaker for local panels and events. Audrey has also presented nationally at the Association of Performing Arts Service Organization Conference and the Artists Thrive Conference on advocacy and professional development for artists.
Najah Ali
Member Service Manager
Najah Ali is an actor, singer, director and arts administrator.
BOARD of DIRECTORS
Jessyca Holland
Founder
Robert Drake
Artistic Director, Academy Theatre
Joe Winter, Secretary
Software Engineer, Winmo
