Will you invest in the lasting legacy of The Arts Center?
Why pledge or donate to our capital campaign?
The arts improve our lives. Athens Area Council for the Arts improves the quality of life in our area through performing arts, visual arts, community engagement, and arts education programs.
AACA’s volunteers and staff have enthusiastically served our community for over 40 years by offering opportunities for the expression and appreciation of the arts. And gracious support from friends like you has made it happen.
We need you to help us write the next chapter of The Arts Center’s story.
Here’s how it started…
Our humble organization has seen so much growth since moving into our home in 2005 that by 2019, our board was playing musical chairs with ACT rehearsals, painting classes, and choir rehearsals in order to have a monthly meeting. We responded to our arts community’s call for more space – and to dedicate specific areas for rehearsal, classes, and collaboration. We were blessed to find that space right next door to our current building. When we purchased these three additional properties, we expanded our footprint by nearly 6,000 square feet.
Having the square footage was amazing, but it was in rough shape, and wasn’t ready to take AACA to the next chapter in our story. So, we gathered together to imagine and scheme – just like we did in 1979. We designed the new space to meet our needs, engaged an architect, and launched the quiet phase of a Capital Campaign.
And then Covid-19 happened…
Our quiet campaign ignited our community’s imagination and raised more than half of our initial goal by the time we were ready to announce our efforts publicly. Unfortunately, fundraising efforts quickly halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
We did not stop working during our fundraising pause, however; our Building Committee has overseen the installation of new roofing for our entire facility and organized volunteers to paint the outside of our new buildings and began demolition on drop ceilings and interior walls.
Here’s where we are right now…
Renovation has begun! We learned in early 2022 that our initial goal would not allow us to make renovations to our new space and improvements to our current plan to best serve our volunteers and patrons. The good news is, as of November 2022, we have nearly $1.2 million in donations and pledges toward our new goal of $1.6 million dollars.
Donors
Early support from Campaign Kickstarters allowed us to purchase the buildings and pay for new roofs on all our properties. The generosity of the donors listed here has allowed us to begin renovations on The Arts Center of our future.*
PIONEER - $100,000
Brenda Mitchell
The City of Athens, TN
The Helmerich Trust /
Mrs. Peggy Dow Helmerich
T H E A R T S C E N T E R
IMAGINEER - $50,000
Laura & Mullie LeNoir
David Mayfield, Debbie & Rob Mayfield, and Missy Mayfield
Lisa & Scottie Mayfield
Mintie C. Willson, Meredith Willson, Chelsey & Hugh Willson, and Deb & Paul Willson
DREAMER - $25,000
Clarice & Dean Baggett
Judy & Bill Biddle
Sydney Trew, Katie & Cullen Trew,
and Cailtin Trew Johnson
Becky & Mitchell Bryant
Lucia Clark Case
Elaine & John Cathcart
Skylar Dean
George R. Johnson Family Foundation
Ellen & Art Kimball
Kiwanis Club of Athens
Elizabeth & Jeremy Loftis and
Jordon & Robert Nelson
Freddie & Jim Nelson
Lyndhurst Foundation
BELIEVER - $10,000
Anonymous (4)
Margaret & Frank Akers
Allan Jones Foundation
Sharon Brown / State Farm Insurance
Sandra & Mike Boyd
Jan Burleson & G. David Brown
Capstar Bank
DENSO
Food City
Hiwassee Builder Supply
Sandra Kinney & Michael Stevenson
Mia Matias & Mike Leonesio
C. Scott & Muriel Mayfield Family Foundation
Sarah & Chris Maynard
Milli & David Richter
Janice & Bob Roseberry
Karen & Dave Siklosi
Truist
Valley Oil Company / Shirley & Sonny Woodcock
The Willis Family
Lisa & Jeff Wolfenden
Laurel & Charles Wood
PATRON - $5,000
Anonymous
Lauren Brown
Susan Buttram
Whitney Kimball & Matt Coe
Penny & Doug Cross
Judi & Shelley Griffith
Lindsey & Andrew Kimball
Cynthia McCowan
Katelyn McGee &
Christopher Muegge
NAPA Auto Parts of Athens /
Jodi & Wife Harrison
Peoples Bank of East Tennessee
Sarah & Perry Philpott
Myra & Joel Riley
Pam & Rick Thigpen
Jim Thompson
Lauren & Scott Trew
SUPPORTER - $1,000
Anonymous (4) AM Investment Strategies, LLC Emily & Daniel Arrington Joyce Baker Bargain Barn, Inc. Brittany Barr & Scott Sellers Kathy & Mike Bevins
Mary Lib & Speight Bird Beverly & Robert Briody Katie & Robby Bursley, Maddie Bursley Melonie & Paul Carideo Pat Chester Blake Chastain Nancy Chinchor George & Carole Cinci Kathy & Charlie Clark Anna & Randy Cook Betsy & Kim Cox Charles Cox Rebecca & Travis Cox Tsali Notch Vineyard / Sally & Cary Cox Sharon & Jay Crittenden Martha Culvahouse & Jack Waggett Denise & Jeff Cunningham Judi & Cary Davis Trish & Bill Drury In honor of Peggy Dow by
Sally & Dwain Ealy, Carlton Estes & Kennedy Law Office, PLLC Robin & Jerry Estes Carolyn & Bill Foree Linda & Robert Foster Free Hill Community Residents Larae & Phil Graves Greeks Bearing Gifts / Patti & Jim Greek Carolyn & Shirel Grimmett Carole & Davis Haynes Debbie & Tom Hamilton DeLane & Evan Haren Beverly Harrison Teresa & Tom Hughes Liz & Glenn Ingram Beth & Bryan Jackson Rebecca Jaquish Sarah & Ben Kennedy Boni & Joe Kross Nancy & Ron Kyzer Georgia & Bob Lamb Lisa & Joe Littleton Autumn Lowry Cindy & Lynn Massingale Mayfield Dairy Mayfield Farm & Nursery / Jamie & Michael Mayfield,
Jaime & Robert McGinnis Traci & Brad McKenzie Beth & Jim Mercer Joy Merckson Miller & McPhail CPAs, PLLC Brenda & Randy Mullins Jackie & Todd Newman ORNL Federal Credit Union Ella & Rick Parker Myra & Rusty Patterson Vivien & Alan Payne Sylvia & Dick Pelley In honor of Carla Arterburn, by Amelia & Mark Reedy Ginger & Joe Robinson Liz & Chris Schreck Mary & Fred Seals Sue & Charles Senn Olivia Sloane Shepherd Mary Ann & Mike Siklosi Kay & Mike Simmons Libby Skorupan Sliger's Jewelers / Pat & Gene Sliger and Stephen Sliger Shirley & Jerry Smith Amy & Stuart Sullins Christa & Trey Sullins Katie & C. Seth Sumner Renee Grayson & Chris Trew Susan & Mort Trew Walmart Warren Jackson CPAs, PLLC Willhite & Mitchell, PLLC Jeanne & Grady Williams William, Lane Willson Cynthia & Ben Wilson William Wilson, Jr. Jean Wilson Frances Witt-McMahan Martha Woods
IN MEMORY OF
Hellen O’Donnell
Kristin O’Donnell Tubb
Ronald Younger
Mary Younger
Mattie Witt Long and Jess Long
Virginia & Bacon Walthall
Richard & Ann Doran, Betty Dysart, Bennett & Lois Prichard, Martin Walthall
*Pledges and contributions of $1,000 or more; current as of March 1, 2024.