Atlanta Beltline, Inc. has selected veteran arts leader Amina Cooper as its first-ever director of arts and culture to lead its public art initiative, Atlanta Beltline Art.
As director, Cooper will guide the strategic vision for the Beltline’s arts and culture programming, overseeing its breadth of public art installations, events and special exhibitions as well as its annual juried exhibition season.
“It means the world to me,” Cooper said in statement. “For the past 10 years, my work has focused on community and equity. To now be able to uplift best practices in equitable, culture-based programming for the community I was born and raised in, in collaboration with the artist community that’s so familiar and dear to me, is an incredible gift.”
Cooper brings experience in public art management, curation and policy and has managed large-scale public art projects for a number of leading municipalities, museums and galleries. Most recently, she served as program director of public art at the Arts & Science Council in Charlotte, overseeing public art commissions for the Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Her career also includes roles at cultural institutions such as the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts and Glenstone Museum.
Joining Cooper is Chelsea Morey, the newly appointed arts and culture project manager. Morey comes to the Beltline from the High Museum of Art, where she served as manager of exhibitions. Morey will be responsible for coordinating the public art functions of Atlanta Beltline Art, including both permanent and temporary projects as well as design and planning initiatives.
As the Beltline marches towards its goal of completing its 22-mile trail corridor by 2030, arts and culture will remain an integral part of implementation, supporting its commitment to advancing equity and inclusion and community representation along the trail. The Beltline will also celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2025. As part of the acknowledgement of these two milestones, Atlanta Beltline Art will curate legacy art installations along the trail.
“Atlanta Beltline Art is a powerful force, weaving connections and breaking down barriers across our diverse communities,” said Nonet Sykes, Atlanta Beltline’s Chief Equity & Inclusion Officer. “I am confident that under Amina’s leadership, we will continue our mission to ensure that the Beltline is a vibrant, artistic hub for all of Atlanta.”
