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When the Southeast Community Cultural Center's board of directors incorporated and opened The Arts Exchange in 1983 it reshaped the landscape of the Metro Atlanta arts scene: This inner-city Artist colony/community arts center was an intentional effort to create fully integrated facility—multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary and inter-generational. Over the years we have been the place where individual artists could find performance or rehearsal space; and artists and community could find a wide range of classes. A gathering place for community events and social change efforts, and an in-town artist colony representing all disciplines of the arts traditional to the experimental.
Our Mission
We create, produce, present and provide arts and/or cultural services for the public, and represent art and artists from traditional to experimental. Our mission is to nourish the creativity and careers of black artists; expose the community to multiple cultural traditions; and provide resources to inspire new generations of patrons, artists, and other creatives. We are a place where individuals and artists gather to find a creative community, and share their work with the community at large. Our goal is to empower and support artists, community residents, and the public to actively engage in life-changing creative experiences. We promote and expand accessibility to the arts for those who have not traditionally had access to the arts. We partner with arts organizations, organizers, and collectives of artists to respond to the needs of our community.
Our Staff
Our Support Team
Kenneth Zakee
Event Support
Victor Love
Programs
Noah Washington
Young Adult Outreach Committee
Dr. Tiffany S. Mingo
Programs
Sound by IBIS
Light and Sound Technician
Tia Davis
Webmaster
Our Board
Cheryl A. Johnson
Board Chair
Cultural Curator
Joyce Sheperd
Board Secretary
Community Leader, Former Atlanta City Councilor
Noah Washington
Board Member
Writer, Producer
Myriam Dondzina
Tenant Representative
Nature Conservancy
Anthony Marrero
Board Co - Chair
Business Professional and Talent Sourcer
Lisa Tuttle
Board Member
Artist, Curator, Consultant
Eric Marcus
Board Member
Royal Trophies, Co-Owner
Beth Mcmillian
Board Member
Alice Lovelace
Board Treasurer
Arts Administrator, Author, Poet
Kenneth Zakee
Board Member
Textile Artist, Poet
Alvin Dollar
Board Member Emeritus
Community Organizer, Retired Social Worker
Cam Miller
Board Member
Our History
In 1983, Ebon Dooley along with a dedicated group of practicing artists, community leaders, and activists formed the first board of directors for the South East Community Cultural Arts Center, Inc. (SECCC) doing business as The Arts Exchange. They approached the Atlanta Board of Education in 1984 and requested to lease the closed Grant Park Elementary School. Within six months of opening The Arts Exchange was at full occupancy. This in-town artists colony included 14 multi-disciplinary artist studios, a recording studio, two galleries, two dance studios, and a full theatre/performing arts/music season. When The Arts Exchange opened, it reshaped the landscape of the Metro Atlanta arts scene. This inner-city artist colony/community arts center was an intentional effort to create a fully integrated facility—multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary and inter-generational. Over the years we have been the place where individual artists could find performance or rehearsal space; and artists and community could find a wide range of classes. We were a gathering place for community events and social change efforts, and an in-town artist colony representing all disciplines of the arts from traditional to the experimental.
New home. New name.
In 2016 we sold the property in Grant Park. Renovating and opening a new facility in East Point in December of 2018. The move to East Point was an intentional decision we made to be a part of a community that did not have access to a multifaceted arts facility like ours, with room for creative small businesses, community gathering spaces, and programs focused on education and wellness. Shortchange, is a new name reflecting our relocation to the southwest side of town in the former Jere Wells Elementary School in East Point. Since our grand opening on January 10, 2019, we have been an exemplary and unique center for community, civic, and arts engagement. We offer event and performance spaces, artist studios, classes, literary events, survival sessions for musicians and visual artists, wellness classes and more. Our programs include The Jack Sinclair Gallery, Charles “Jikki” Riley Memorial Library and Literacy Program, the Paul Robeson Theatre, a creative artists studio program, the Sinclair Gallery, Fresh Oasis Community Garden, and classes and workshops for the community.
As we move into our 40th year, we are proud to have returned to our roots as a community-based organization dedicated to the enrichment of our community and service to those who live here. The ArtsXchange has a unique and independent place in the arts scene in Atlanta and Fulton County.