Our Mission is Simple
We fund arts education for K-12 youth in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia.
Our Vision Guides us
We believe every child should experience the enriching impact of the arts.
Our values keep us focused on our goals.
Accessible
Access to arts education is fundamental to the development and wellbeing of our youth and community.
Diverse
The arts are an inherently diverse field, and that diversity should be represented in our grants program, as well as at our community events.
Inclusive
Participants in our grant-funded programs and attendees of our community events should feel safe, included, represented, and inspired.
Community Impact
AthFest Educates is impacting lives throughout Athens, Georgia.
Community Grants
AthFest Educates produces two annual fundraisers, the AthFest Music & Arts Festival and the AthHalf Half Marathon & 5K. The proceeds from these two events, along with donations from the community, fund the organization’s annual grant-making efforts. Grants are awarded on a rolling basis each September.
Funding Priorities
AthFest Educates and its Board of Directors have identified its three funding priorities as:
- Music and arts non-consumable equipment
- Music and arts programs and experiences
- Art-based and music-based professional development for educators and/or youth development specialist
Strategic Plan
Strategically planning for an empowered Athens, Georgia
AthFest Educates E-Newsletter
View our 2025 e-newsletter and learn more about how you can support AthFest Educates.
Our Team
Our team is dedicated to serving our community
Executive Director
Mary Joyce
Executive Director
Leadership Team
Jess Machacek
Board Chair
Eron Bird
Vice Chair
Angela Hurt
Secretary
Brad Hubacher
Treasurer
Board of Directors
Cash V Morris
Attorney at Law
Chris Griner
CFO, Clarke County School District
Avery Brese
Books for Keeps
Lauren Corcino
Assistant Director, Office of Research Communications, UGA
Seth Hendershot
Owner, Hendershots
Cara Simmons
Director, Office for Student Success and Achievement, UGA
Tatiana Veneruso
Public Art Coordinator, Athens-Clarke County
Committees
Grants Committee
Cara Simmons
Jess Machacek
Carole Black
Avery Brese
Mary Joyce
Mark Tavernier
Cash Morris
AthFest Music & Arts Festival Steering Committee
Pete Norris, Event Coordinator
Neal Anthony
Troy Aubrey
Avery Brese
Ricardo Jimenez
Mary Joyce
Martin Kohnen
Josh Koons
Jen McClain
Alicia Nickles
Rocky Raffle
Jessica Stermer
Alan Pesti
Ash Plaksin
Nina Stack
David Strickland
AthHalf Half Marathon & 5K Steering Committee
Alan Pesti, Race Director
Mary Joyce
Alicia Nickles
Neal Anthony
Seth Hendershot
Danny Bryson
Kim Miller
Angela Hurt
Troy Aubry
Joe Colasurdo
Dennis Revell
Peter Norris
Mackenzie Laws
