Creative Campus

Southern Arts Federation visit brings mutual understanding

 

Southern Arts Federation made its first visit to the University of Alabama on January 29, but chances are, it wonít be the last.

 

Mollie Lakin-Hayes, deputy director of the organization, learned about creative and artistic activities on campus during meetings with the Crimson Arts Council and Creative Campus interns. At the same time, students and faculty learned about the SAF.

 

ìShe did a great job of communicating the ways that we can use the Southern Arts Federation as a resource for events and other things,î said Creative Campus intern Christine Palma.

 

ìShe is a great resource for knowledge,î Palma said. ìTheir organization serves the entire region, and she was able to rattle off the best places to look for the things weíre interested in.î

 

Associate Provost Hank Lazer said that the conversation went both ways, and Lakin-Hayes left campus with a better understanding of what Creative Campus is. ìShe found what weíre doing bold and interesting,î he said.

 

Palma added that Lakin-Hayes now will be able to discuss what Creative Campus is doing at UA when she meets with campus leaders at other institutions.

 

According to the organizationís Web site, Southern Arts Federation is a non-profit regional arts organization that creates partnerships and collaborations; assists in the development of artists, arts professionals and arts organizations; presents, promotes and produces Southern arts and cultural programming; and advocates for the arts and arts education.

 

Funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, the organization works with the state arts agencies of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee to achieve its mission of building on the Southís unique heritage and enhancing the public value of the arts in our communities.

 

As deputy director, Lakin-Hayes works with all SAF programs, the board, member state art agencies and other partners to make a positive difference in the arts throughout the South. She works specifically in organizational and program planning and evaluation, staff development, and partnership activities.