Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1534028
30 maconmagazine.com | April/May 2025 STORY BY MICHAEL W. PANNELL | PHOTOS BY JESSICA WHITLEY T he idea was simple enough: regularly gather arts organization leaders around a table to create a community arts calendar so events wouldn't clash. Of course, there would be the added benefit of building camaraderie among creatives and institutions, and publishing it would promote Macon's cultural life to the public. That was in 1984 – the 1984-85 fiscal year, actually – so that makes what eventually became the Macon Arts Alliance 40 years old this year. And how things have changed, though some stay the same, giving the Arts Alliance and the community much to celebrate. "The calendar idea is one thing that hasn't changed, yet it has changed dramatically in how it's been presented through the years," said Julie Wilkerson, Macon Art Alliance's current executive director. "It started in print on paper and went through numerous physical versions, but now it's followed the advancement of technology and gone online as macon365.com where art, theatre, music, dance, and all manner of related creative endeavors can be listed and viewers can search by date, event type, artist, and other criteria. It's a great reference for finding out about local art." It was Nancy Brown Cornett, along with a Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce task force, that had the original vision of bringing nonprofit arts groups together under a unified umbrella organization for their common good. Cornett served as its first director until 1993 and saw the growth of MAA's work and vision. Cornett and the MAA were integral to formulating the 1988 Cultural Plan for Macon and Bibb County. This work set the course for undertaking studies and strategic planning for the future, along with foundations and other community organizations. "Understanding Macon's art and cultural community and helping develop strategic plans for the future has Arts Alliance A T