South Fulton Arts (SFA) today announced that Executive Director Jennifer Bauer-Lyons will step down from her position effective June 6, 2025. This will conclude her visionary tenure that has helped enrich communities, reshape the cultural identity, and amplify the voices of hundreds of local artists in South Fulton County.
“Leading South Fulton Arts has been one of the great joys of my professional life,” said Bauer-Lyons. “This community is overflowing with talent, passion, and potential. I’m so proud of what we’ve built together — platforms that amplify unheard voices, programs that connect people through art, and partnerships that put South Fulton on the cultural map. While this is the right moment for me to step back personally, I leave knowing the organization is stronger than ever, and perfectly positioned for the next leader to take it even higher.”
During her tenure, Bauer-Lyons has transformed SFA into a dynamic force for artistic excellence, cultural equity, and community connection. Her leadership has brought bold new programs, strategic partnerships, and widespread recognition to South Fulton’s creative landscape. The county has traditionally been underrepresented and underresourced in the arts — SFA has become a platform of change, especially through a free “pay what you want” ticket model, which has made the arts even more accessible to the South Fulton community.
“Jennifer’s vision has elevated South Fulton Arts into one of the most innovative and inclusive arts organizations in the state,” said SFA Board Chair Deb Griffin. “She built infrastructure where there was none, created opportunity where there was need, and cultivated a sense of place and pride through the arts. On behalf of our entire Board of Directors, I thank her for this steadfast leadership that has changed the cultural landscape of South Fulton County.”
Among her most notable achievements:
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Expanded year-round programming to serve all eight cities in South Fulton through festivals, exhibitions, workshops, and events.
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Provided direct financial and artistic support to more than 100 South Fulton-based artists, fostering local talent and encouraging innovative, community-rooted work.
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Created a professional development series that provides training, mentorship, and resources for BIPOC artists, cultural entrepreneurs, and arts leaders.
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Connected working artists with schools and community centers to expand arts access and education for youth across South Fulton County.
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Led a successful rebranding of the organization, clarifying its identity and mission while strengthening its public presence.
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Secured major grant funding from organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts, Fulton County Arts and Culture, and numerous Foundations, which stabilized the organization financially and has allowed for long-term planning and growth.
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Guided the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic, pivoting to virtual programming and a digital series that kept artists employed, and audiences engaged, during lockdowns.
Bauer-Lyons’ departure comes as SFA is experiencing unprecedented momentum — artistically vibrant, fiscally sound, and widely regarded as a model for arts leadership in underrepresented communities. Her decision comes at a time when personal and family priorities have taken on greater significance, making this a natural and meaningful moment to step back. The Board of Directors will initiate a search for SFA’s next Executive Director.
