13 organizations
How arts and culture work in Atlanta — on a budget of zero
The free layer of Atlanta's art scene is bigger than the ticketed one. The BeltLine is the city's longest free gallery — murals and sculpture for miles. City of Atlanta recreation centers and institutions like the Hammonds House in the West End anchor neighborhood-level arts. Most big museums run free or pay-what-you-wish days (and Fulton County library cards unlock free family passes to several — ask your branch; almost nobody knows).
For kids and adults who want to make art, city-run arts centers offer classes at a fraction of private prices, and scholarships exist quietly — ask. Community theaters and choirs audition all comers.
What to expect when you reach out: arts programs rarely have eligibility rules — the only real questions are schedule and cost, and the cost question always deserves the follow-up: "is there a scholarship or work-trade option?" There usually is.
Peer Solutions of Georgia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps vulnerable people connect with resources, health care, and behavioral health services. It offers advocacy, peer support, life coaching, workshops, webinars, tutoring, and education using a harm-reduction approach.
10 services
Atlanta Preservation Center is a nonprofit that protects Atlanta's historic buildings, neighborhoods, and landscapes. It helps through preservation advocacy, education programs, public tours, school programs, and events at historic sites.
8 services
Georgia Lawyers for the Arts is a nonprofit that helps artists, makers, musicians, writers, and arts organizations with their legal needs. They connect you with volunteer lawyers for help with things like copyright, trademarks, contracts, and setting up a nonprofit. You join as a member, and if your income is low enough you may get the legal help for free.
6 services
Favor House Inc. is a year-round youth enrichment and community development nonprofit in College Park, serving kids and families across metro Atlanta. Best known for its Georgia Favor Track Club (running since 2005), it also runs a food program, a learning-loss tutoring program, an arts program, and a community garden. Its goal is to help young people grow through fitness, education, healthy food, and mentorship.
6 services
PALS (Perimeter Adult Learning & Services) is a volunteer-run nonprofit, started in 1991, that offers low-cost learning classes for adults 50 and older. Each Monday they hold all-day 'Lunch 'N Learn' classes on topics like history, finance, health, gardening, music, and the arts, taught at area churches in Dunwoody and nearby. It is a way for retirees and seniors to keep learning, stay active, and meet others.
2 services
City of College Park is the local city government for College Park, GA, just south of downtown Atlanta near the airport. City Hall handles services like utilities, courts, public works, and police, and the city's Recreation & Cultural Arts department runs community centers, youth and senior activities, and free city events. The city also hosts community help programs such as hot meals and fresh groceries, a community garden, and back-to-school shoe giveaways.
7 services
The Butts County Historical Society is a volunteer nonprofit that preserves and shares the history of Butts County, Georgia. They keep a museum collection of local photographs, documents, and artifacts and hold free public meetings with guest speakers about local history. Anyone interested in the county's heritage is welcome to attend.
4 services
The Academy Theatre is Atlanta's longest-running professional theatre, founded in 1956 and now based at the Hapeville Performing Arts Center. It puts on plays, film screenings, and variety shows, and offers acting classes, youth theatre programs, and community outreach. It is a place to see live theatre or learn acting, not a health or crisis service.
10 services
The Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs is a City of Atlanta office, started in 1974, that supports arts and culture across the city. It gives grants to artists and arts groups, runs free events like the Atlanta Jazz Festival and the ELEVATE public art festival, manages city art galleries and the Chastain Arts Center, and brings free cultural experiences to public school students.
Downtown8 services
2 services
4 services
1 service
1 service
