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 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 Stakeholder Survey
We need your input! Submissions are 100% anonymous and your support helps our mission for years to come. Thank you for your participation.
Our Team
Our team is dedicated to serving our community
Leadership Team
Mary Joyce
Executive Director
Jess Machacek
Vice-Chair
Angela Hurt
Secretary
Brad Hubacher
Treasurer
Board of Directors
Avery Brese
Buvez
Carole Black
Owner, Classic Race Services
Lauren Corcino
Assistant Director, Office of Research Communications, UGA
Seth Hendershot
Owner, Hendershots
Gina Jackson
Youth & Family Program Director, Athens YMCA
Eunice Kang
Director of Orchestra, Clarke Central High School
Cara Simmons
Interim Director, Division of Academic Enhancement, UGA
Tatiana Veneruso
Public Art Coordinator, Athens-Clarke County
Committees
Grants Committee
Jess Machacek
Carole Black
Mary Joyce
Amy Medlock
Mark Tavernier
Cara Simmons
AthFest Music & Arts Festival Steering Committee
Pete Norris, Event Coordinator
Neal Anthony
Troy Aubrey
Avery Brese
Lauren Corcino
Ricardo Jimenez
Mary Joyce
Martin Kohnen
Josh Koons
Jen McClain
Alicia Nickles
Rocky Raffle
Jessica Stermer
Alan Pesti
Rebecca Pulliam
Nina Stack
David Strickland
AthHalf Half Marathon & 5K Steering Committee
Carole Black, Race Director
Neal Anthony
Troy Aubrey
Adam Cain
Kim Grizzle
Mary Joyce
Alicia Nickles
Dennis Revell
