The Griffin Area Arts Alliance (GAAA) is a coalition of organizations in the Griffin area that participate in all facets of the arts. Each participating entity is represented by a volunteer appointed to the GAAA board. Members cooperate and coordinate the efforts required to support the arts. Membership is open to all who are interested in promoting and participating in the diverse arts opportunities of the area.

History and Accomplishments

The need for an arts alliance was born in the late 1970’s thanks to Bonnie Pfrogner, Beth Luttrell, and Mildred Sawyer at the Chamber of Commerce who saw the value in an alliance which could strengthen efforts which groups were already making to promote cultural affairs.  The initial effort by Bonnie and Beth was a calendar of events in 1980 with artwork by Terry Lang.  The community responded favorably.  Bart Searcy, incoming Chamber of Commerce President (1981), pursued the idea of the arts alliance not only because of its advantages for Griffin residents, but also because he thought that a strong cultural program would help attract industry to Griffin.  In the spring of 1981 an organizational committee was appointed with Bill Early named as chairman.  Serving on the steering committee were:  Elaine Bolton, Judy Hamilton, Judy Hamby, Diane Irvine, Portia Lacy, Terry Lang, Beth Luttrell, Angie Mankin, and Cherry Searcy.  A set of by-laws was drafted, designed for incorporation, and a logo was designed by Terry Lang.  A 1981 spring calendar of arts events was published with financial backing of the Chamber. 

In the early 1980’s, the Arts Alliance was almost exclusively the promoter of musical concerts.  In July, 1983, the goal of helping to coordinate, enable and develop cultural awareness and of giving a unified voice for all the arts was affirmed.  Judy Hamilton and a committee “of her choosing” undertook the compiling of an Arts and Cultural Calendar in the fall.  In August of 1983, the Arts Alliance received 501(c)(3) designations.    In 1984, a large group of community leaders met for the purpose of securing grants to bring the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra to Griffin.  For six years the ASO came to Griffin until the cost became prohibitive.

Its focus then expanded.  In 1994 and 1996 grants through the Atlanta Grassroots Arts Council were awarded to the Arts Alliance to present Victor Ledbetter-Baritone in Concert and Stagehands-Community Arts Showcase and to publish “The Spirit of the ’96 Games,” an anthology of original creative stories, essays, poems and artwork prepared by Griffin school children to welcome athletes to the Atlanta Olympic Games and to help fund the painting of a mural downtown. 

From 1998-2001, GAAA helped raise through pledges and grants $87,300 to make up an approximately $600,000 shortfall in the budget the school system allocated to renovate the Griffin Auditorium. 

From 2004-2010, GAAA showcased area talent in “Griffin Arts Alive” street festivals (funded in part by Grassroots grants in 2004 and 2005), initiated the Christmas Lights at Airport Road Park and in downtown Griffin, held the Mini-Festival of Trees at the Griffin Welcome Center, and Sande Cropsey, Joe McKaughan and Josie Bailey hosted the “Arts Alive” radio show on WHIE 1320 AM in 2008 and 2009 (also funded in 2009 through a Grassroots grant). The first year they interviewed more than 125 guests.  GAAA was recognized with the Outstanding Organization Award at the Griffin Spalding Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner in 2010. 

For several years, the Arts Alliance had discussed a means to honor arts sponsors and volunteers.  The Heart for the Arts Awards began in 2009.  The Arts Volunteer of the Year, now the Arts Achievement Award, recognizes a volunteer for outstanding lifetime contribution(s) to the development and advancement of arts and culture in Spalding County.  It recognizes those who have shown leadership, vision, and commitment to the growth and support of the arts; provided financial or in-kind support to local arts organizations; or worked to keep area arts viable.  Awardees may be from non-profit or for-profit organizations.  Volunteers of the Year/Arts Achievement Honorees have been Jerry and Sue Savage, Mettelen Moore, Joe McKaughan, Luisa and Bob Schmutzler, Denel James, Debbie Hammond, Carolyn Byrd, James Johnston, Brad Fowler, Norma Richardson, Mitch and Lori Flanders, Nan Carley and Bonnie Pfrogner .  In 2012, the GAAA Board added the Appreciation Plaque to recognize the community business or organization which supports the development and advancement of the arts and culture in Spalding County by offering monetary support, meeting space, storage facilities, etc.  First National Bank of Griffin, the Griffin Daily News, Professional Printing Services, Griffin First United Methodist Church, Griffin-Spalding School System, Blackshear Photography, Artistic Flowers, Griffin’s Chick-fil-A and Truett’s Grill and Griffin First Baptist Church have received this award.   Since 2016, each member organization has identified one volunteer to be its “Volunteer of the Year”.  This award recognizes and thanks the efforts of volunteers, who, through their time and service, help keep area arts organizations alive and prospering.

The mission/purpose of the Griffin Area Arts Alliance has been to support, promote and encourage the arts and artists in Griffin through the coordination of resources, participation and program development among existing arts related and cultural groups.  The Griffin Area Arts Alliance (GAAA) is a coalition of performance groups in the Griffin area that participate in all facets of the fine arts.  Each participating entity (member) appoints a representative to GAAA’s Board.  Board members cooperate to coordinate the efforts required to support the arts in Griffin. 

Past Presidents include:

• Bill Early

• Walter Pyron

• Nan Carley

• Sue Savage

• Howard Wallace

• Sande Cropsey

• Bonnie Pfrogner

• Newton Galloway

• Kay Wideman

• Debbie Hammond