The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is renewing its Community Engagement Fellowship for 2026 following a successful inaugural year that brought together artists, planners, and residents to explore innovative approaches to affordable housing through community land trusts.

As part of ARC’s Community Engagement and Culture work, the fellowship integrates arts and culture into regional planning to strengthen public engagement. ARC selects an artist, through a competitive process, who collaborates with planning staff on public-facing projects, emphasizing collaboration, creative engagement, and replicable strategies for community outreach.

In 2025, the program paired Atlanta-based comedian and civic engagement artist Mark Kendall with housing planner Kristin Allin to examine how community land trusts can preserve long-term affordability. Using the Decatur Land Trust as a case study, the team developed creative tools to help residents understand how land trusts work and support stable housing for generations.

“The fellowship elevates the work our partners are doing to address the region’s most pressing challenges while creating space to hear directly from community members,” said Kristin Allin, senior planner. “Fellows play a vital role in building relationships, amplifying voices, and ensuring that lived experiences help guide our efforts.”