Atlanta Contemporary Art Center facts for kids
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| Established | 1973 (current location since 1989) |
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| Location | 535 Means Street NW Atlanta United States |
The Atlanta Contemporary is a cool art center in Atlanta, Georgia. It's a place where you can see amazing modern art made by both new and famous artists.
Every year, Atlanta Contemporary shows many different art exhibits. They feature artists from Atlanta and all over the world, and sometimes they even ask artists to create brand new artworks just for them! They especially like to show artists who haven't had a big art show in the southeastern United States yet. The center also has fun learning programs and offers special art studios for local artists to work in.
Contents
The Story of Atlanta Contemporary
How It All Started
The Atlanta Contemporary started way back in 1973. It was first called Nexus. A group of photographers in Atlanta created it. At first, it was a small art gallery run by its members and volunteers.
In 1976, the group moved into an old elementary school. This allowed them to grow their programs. They also started to set up a more formal organization. In 1984, they changed the name to Nexus Contemporary Art Center. This new name showed their bigger role in the community. During this time, they also started Nexus Press, which made special art books. Giving artists studio spaces became a very important part of the center.
Finding a Permanent Home
By 1987, the center needed a permanent home. They raised $1.95 million to fix up a large warehouse. This warehouse was 35,000 square feet! It was located on Means Street, close to the Georgia Tech campus.
The renovations started in 1989 and finished in 1994. The Nexus center helped bring new life to this old industrial area of Atlanta.
New Names and Growth
In 2000, Nexus changed its name again to Atlanta Contemporary Art Center. Many people in Atlanta just called it The Contemporary. In 1999, it was chosen to be part of a special program by The Andy Warhol Foundation. This helped the center plan for its future.
Nexus Press, which had made over 150 art books, closed in 2003.
In 2015, the center shortened its name to just Atlanta Contemporary. It still plays a big part in helping the Westside community. In 2009, it helped create the Westside Arts District. This district holds monthly art walks. People can visit different art spaces and enjoy educational programs.
The Shop at Atlanta Contemporary
The Atlanta Contemporary has a cool shop. It sells unique items made by artists. You can find art books, including some from the old Nexus Press. They also have exhibition catalogs, handmade jewelry, and special art pieces. Sometimes, you can even find rare music recordings!
See also
- High Museum of Art
- Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia
- List of contemporary art museums
