Mission:

The Arts Association in Newton County is a non-profit organization (501c3) with the mission to encourage youth and adults in the community to participate in the arts both as audience and as artists and to present world-class artists to all the citizens of the metro Atlanta area.

History:

The Community Concert Association of Newton County was founded in 1989 after the successful launching of the Porter Concert Series through the Newton County Schools in 1984. In the 1989 season, ten concerts were presented with a $125,000 annual budget. Concerts on the Square were begun in 1990 and continue to be held each Thursday in May and September. In 1991, we broadened our audience and customer base with our first children’s educational program that soon evolved into Oxford Singing Children, an auditioned children’s choir for grades 4-7. In 1993, in-school residencies were added in collaboration with the Newton County Schools. In 1998, an annual Creative Kids Camp was begun on the campus of Oxford College for elementary school students. In 2000, enrollment in camp doubled and an auditioned youth choir, Oxford Youth Singers, was added. In 2000 the name of the organization was changed to Community Arts Association in Newton County, establishing the organization as the umbrella arts organization for the community.

The Arts Association began collaborating with other community groups and leaders for the good of the whole community and to avoid duplication of expenses and programming (Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Covington, Newton County Schools, Newton County Library, Oxford College, Recreation Department, Literacy Volunteers, YMCA).