Arts and culture in Augusta, Georgia facts for kids

The culture of Augusta, Georgia is shaped by its many different people and its long history. The large African American population and the city's rural surroundings influence its festivals and culture. The yearly Masters golf event in April is also a big part of Augusta's culture. Many famous musicians like James Brown, Jessye Norman, and Wycliffe Gordon came from Augusta. The writer Frank Yerby and artist Jasper Johns were also born here.

Sacred Heart Cultural Center

Big Events and Festivals

Augusta hosts many events each year. The biggest is the Masters golf tournament. About 250,000 people visit for it. The Masters is one of the main golf championships for the PGA tour. It also has a huge impact on the city's culture. Many local sports teams, like the Augusta GreenJackets, are named with golf puns. Restaurants often decorate with Masters items. Schools in Richmond County School System have spring break during the tournament. This is like how schools in New Orleans close for Mardi Gras.

Other yearly events include:

• Arts in the Heart of Augusta: A cultural festival.
• Mayfest: A hip hop concert.
• Westobou: An arts festival.
• Rock Fore! Dough Concert: A charity concert held during the Masters.
• CSRA Classic: A marching band competition.
• Augusta Futurity: The biggest horse cutting show east of the Mississippi River. This event has been held for over 30 years.
• Augusta Literary Festival: Held at the Augusta-Richmond County Library in downtown Augusta.

Downtown Augusta also has a "First Friday" arts festival every month. It takes place in the Artist's Row area.

Augusta also hosts Augusta Pride, an annual parade for LGBT people. In its first year (2010), 4,000 people attended. By 2011, about 7,000 people came, showing how fast it is growing.

Theater and Dance

Augusta has many places for plays and performances. Both amateur and professional groups perform here. The Imperial Theatre and the Bell Auditorium are the biggest theater spots. The Miller Theater used to be a movie theater. It reopened in 2018 as the home of the Augusta Symphony. It also hosts music, comedy, dance, and plays. The Le Chat Noir Theatre is a newer theater in Augusta.

The Greater Augusta Youth Theatre is a special group. It is run entirely by young actors, directors, and artists from the Augusta area. All these theaters are in downtown Augusta.

South Augusta has two theaters. The Augusta Mini Theater offers classes and shows. The Fort Gordon Dinner Theater is on the Fort Gordon military base. The Young Artists Repertory Theatre, Inc. is a youth theater group in nearby Martinez.

The Augusta Ballet is a well-known dance company. They bring world-class dancers to perform, mostly at the Imperial Theatre. The Augusta Players are a local theater group.

Music Venues and Groups

The James Brown Arena is Augusta's largest venue. It hosts many different events. It was named after Augusta-born musician James Brown before he passed away in 2006. Sky City is a new music venue. Sector 7G is a place for younger music fans.

The Augusta Symphony is a full orchestra. They perform four main concert series each year. The Augusta Choral Society often performs with the Symphony. They also have their own concerts.

Artists' Row

Artists' Row is a small area in downtown Augusta along Broad Street. It was one of the first areas to be improved in downtown. It is named for the art galleries found there. These galleries, along with shops and restaurants, stay open late for "First Friday" events. This tradition started in 1995. On the first Friday of every month, downtown galleries, restaurants, and boutiques stay open until 10 pm.

Museums, Historical Sites, and Other Cultural Spots

• Academy of Richmond County
• Augusta International Raceway
• Augusta Museum of History
• Artists' Row (Broad Street)
• Confederate Powderworks
• Ezekiel Harris House
• Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art
• Haunted Pillar
• James Brown statue (Broad Street at the Augusta Common)
• John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School
• Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History
• Morris Museum of Art
• Old Medical College
• Sacred Heart Cultural Center
• Springfield Baptist Church
• Meadow Garden

Greater Augusta Arts Council

The Greater Augusta Arts Council works to make life better for people in Augusta. They do this by supporting lively cultural arts. They help Augusta's arts community and connect art lovers with events. The Council was started in 1968 to support all arts in Augusta.

They help artists and art lovers with many events:

• Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival: A 2.5-day event celebrating Augusta's diverse arts and cultures.
• The Arts Weekly Radio Show & Podcast.
• Aspirations workshop series: Includes classes like "Business of Being an Artist."
• The City Gallery & the Gallery at Augusta and Company.
• The yearly Wet Paint Party + Art Sale.
• The annual Arts Awards dinner.
• The online Augusta Arts Calendar.
• Public Art & Neighborhood Placemaking Projects.
• City Arts Grants.
• They also support local artists and arts groups every day.

In 2016, the Arts Council worked with Americans for the Arts on a study called Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 (AEP5). This study looked at how much the arts help the economy in Richmond and Columbia Counties. It showed how important the arts are to our local economy.

Images for kids

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  Attendees marching in the Augusta Pride Parade.