South Arts (formerly the Southern Arts Federation), a nonprofit regional arts organization, was founded in 1975 to build on the South's unique heritage and enhance the public value of the arts. South Arts' work responds to the arts environment and cultural trends with a regional perspective. South Arts offers and annual portfolio of activities designed to address arts-related issues important to our region and to link the South with the nation and the world through the arts.

The organization works in partnership with the state arts agencies of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. It is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, member states, foundations, businesses and individuals.

Mission

South Arts strengthens the South through advancing excellence in the arts, connecting the arts to key state and national policies and nurturing a vibrant quality of life.

Strategic Goals

• The arts positively impact regional issues.
• Dialogue and collective action with strategic allies brings about progress on key agenda issues.
• Pertinent information and research is more accessible and usable in the region.
• Increased opportunities and resources exist to extend the arts of the South within and beyond the regional borders, and the attract the arts of the world to the South.
• Effective management and governance practices ensure our organization's stability.

Download Crafting the Future of the Arts in the South: A Strategic Plan for 2010-2016 >>