Macon Magazine

April/May 2025 | maconmagazine.com 31 been an important part of Macon Arts Alliance in recent years," Wilkerson said. "It's vital for individual artists and groups and key to helping Macon move in positive directions both culturally and economically." MAA has had key leadership roles in developing the 2020 Cultural Plan to provide a blueprint for solving community problems using creativity and touching on tourism, education, creative industries, neighborhood development, and audience development. Among other such work, there have been studies like the Music Economic Impact, Strategy, and Recovery Plan, geared toward creating a vibrant music scene with deep economic impact and making Macon a music destination. While promoting the arts and artists, it all falls within MAA's current mission of fostering support for the advancement of arts and culture in Central Georgia and being an innovative leader of a thriving regional arts community. Value is put on strategic partnerships that strengthen the diversity and vibrancy of the arts for tourists, residents, artists, businesses, and civic organizations. The MAA receives a part of its budget through the Macon-Bibb County Hotel- Motel Occupancy tax, and the rest through donations, grants, commissions on art sales, and other means, including fundraising events. While creating showcases for artists at its 486 First Street gallery and sponsoring exhibits – like ceramics shows Fired Works and Fire and Ice – are the more public face of the Arts Alliance, it's clear the groups behind the scenes efforts are crucial. HERE IS MORE ON JUST A FEW OF ITS PROJECTS AND INVOLVEMENTS. • The Creative Relief Fund provides $500 to $1,000 in direct support to individual artists facing isolated financial emergencies. This concept

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