$50K gift boosts Sandy Springs arts efforts

The Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center, now under construction, is to open next year a part of the City Center downtown redevelopment. The Sandy Springs Foundation plans a fund-raising campaign for an endowment to support arts programming at the facility. CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS

The Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center, now under construction, is to open next year a part of the City Center downtown redevelopment. The Sandy Springs Foundation plans a fund-raising campaign for an endowment to support arts programming at the facility. CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS

The Sandy Springs Foundation has received a $50,000 gift from the Development Authority of Sandy Springs to further its new mission: the pursuit of arts programming.

“The foundation, originally organized to support city programming and projects, will shift its focus to arts programming and educational opportunities,” according to the agenda of a recent Development Authority meeting where funding was considered.

“We hope that our contribution, along with the support from the city, sends a strong message that Sandy Springs is dedicated to the arts and we encourage similar levels of commitment enhancing fundraising efforts among other corporate and private donors,” Development Authority Chairman Chip Collins said in a prepared statement.

The City Council recently appointed new foundation board members experienced with cultural, educational and arts organizations. The group will raise funds for an endowment to support education and other arts-related programming at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center, to open in 2018, officials said.