About – United Arts of Cobb

The mission of United Arts of Cobb is to create and administer a permanent Endowment Fund which will support and enrich the artistic endeavors of the United Arts of Cobb members. The Endowment Fund is funded by contributions and the net proceeds of the annual Cobb Arts Ball.

The vision of this organization is to create a stable and thriving Art Community that nourishes the cultural life of Cobb citizens and makes unique contributions to the overall quality of life to this region.

The arts are vital to the growth and maturity of Cobb County. United Arts of Cobb provides another opportunity for community, business, and parental involvement with arts and humanities organizations.
In a report from Americans for the Arts, it is stated that young people who regularly participate in the arts are:

• 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement
• 3 times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools
• 4 times more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem

Children exposed to the arts will also:

• Read for pleasure twice as often as other children
• Perform community service 4 times as often as other children.

The facts are that arts education nurtures team building skills, respect for alternative points of view, appreciation and awareness of different cultures and traditions, strengthens problem-solving and critical thinking skills, gives troubled and at risk youth an alternative approach to learning, and levels the “learning field’ across socio-economic boundaries.

If the arts can do all that for young people, should we not also deduce that it they could do as much for adults?

In 2001, Sue Wootton, the executive director of the Cobb Community Foundation noticed a commonality among most Cobb based arts groups: they were each struggling to raise enough funds and sell enough tickets in order to cover their operating expenses. “I had been getting requests for grants from each different arts group … I thought it could help if we could get something in place long-term, like an endowment fund.”

With Wootton leading the way, seven Cobb based arts groups, Cobb/Marietta Museum of Art, The Georgia Ballet, Cobb Symphony Orchestra, Pandean Players, Telltale Theatre, Ruth Mitchell Dance Theatre, and Theatre in the Square formed a coalition to be named the United Arts of Cobb.

After several years of working together the group, with the aid of local bank executive Ron Francis, decided to form a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. One director from each group was appointed to represent their respective group on the new board. Several other members were selected with Mr. Francis being named Chairman.

It is the vision of this group to represent all of the arts organizations in Cobb County by actively soliciting endowment funds, providing communication venues for each organization, and providing a joint web site.

UAC seeks to establish a $1 million endowment where interest will be distributed annually among all its members. Funding received from the UAC endowment will not replace current fundraising efforts by the individual organizations. UAC will work closely with business, government, and individuals to accomplish its goals.

The seven organizations see themselves as founding members. Within the last three years, United Arts of Cobb membership has grown to 20 organizations. The new organizations include: Cobb Festival Singers and Cobb Summer Singers. Each organization’s profile is available under the Member Organizations section. United Arts of Cobb will accept applications from qualified organizations that wish to become members. Arts organization who wish to join the United Arts of Cobb must meet the following criteria:
• Professional arts organizations with 501(c)(3) status for a minimum of three years
• Based and active in Cobb County
• Create and produce programs, exhibits or performances in Cobb County
• Demonstrate high artistic and administrative quality

Seven arts organizations in Cobb County formed United Arts Of Cobb in 2002 in order to raise awareness about the arts and to build long term support for them. The founding members include: Cobb Symphony Orchestra, The Georgia Ballet, Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art, Pandean Players, The Ruth Mitchell Dance Theatre, TellTale Theatre, and Theatre in the Square. In 2006, this alliance decided to become a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides a way for the arts in Cobb County to join together to share information and strategies for raising funds and, just as important, to explore ways to help people become more aware that quality arts exist in Cobb County.

The mission of the UAC is to create and administer a permanent Endowment Fund which will support and enrich the artistic endeavors of the United Arts of Cobb members. The organizations have combined staff and resources in order to seek support from individuals and corporations in order to continue their work of inspiring our youth through education outreach programs, and offering affordable artistic experiences to all members of the community. The alliance seeks to build a $1 million endowment whose interest will be distributed annually among UAC members. A strong and substantial endowment could insure the healthy continuation of these organizations far beyond the active lives of their founders and current leaders.

In 2008, the first Cobb Arts Ball was held to raise money for the Endowment Fund. As of December 31, 2010, over $200,000 has been raised for the Endowment through proceeds from the Cobb Arts Ball and contributions.

Government and corporate funding cuts for the arts during the last five years has created a precarious environment for arts organizations around the country. Hundreds of groups, both large and small, have dramatically reduced their arts services to the community and dozens more have disbanded due to lack of funding. If the arts in Cobb are to regain their momentum and thrive, arts organizations must have a secure funding source from which they can rely.

Corporate support for the arts is paramount to the continued existence of the arts in Cobb County. A startling fact was recently reported by the Georgia Council for the Arts which legitimizes the role the arts have in our community and in the local economy. In Atlanta in 2003, more tickets to art events were sold than tickets to all sporting events combined. Supporting and advertising the arts makes smart business sense! Many corporations look at the cultural benefits of a community when making a decision to relocate their employees and headquarters. The arts benefit corporations and local businesses and their employees by providing culture, entertainment, and a sense of “community,” all vitally important to ensuring residents a good quality of life.

For more information about the UAC and giving opportunities please contact:
Ronald H. Francis
Chairman
United Arts of Cobb
c/o First Landmark Bank
307 North Marietta Parkway
Marietta, GA 30060
Phone: 770-799-5661
Fax: 770-792-8847