Forward Arts Foundation
A History of Supporting the Visual Arts
The Forward Arts Foundation was founded on September 21, 1965 as a non-profit organization by twelve visionary and community-minded Atlanta women. These dedicated art patrons selected as their home the carriage house of the Edward Inman estate, Swan House, located on the grounds of the Atlanta History Center. The home was the masterpiece of Atlanta’s internationally renowned architect Phillip Trammell Shutze.
The Forward Arts Foundation renovated the carriage house creating a Restaurant and Gift Shop that opened in 1967, followed by an Art Gallery that opened in 1984. Through the management of these three Swan Coach House entities, along with revenues from an annual fall Flea Market, a holiday Fashion Show, and the Swan’s Palette Cookbook, the Forward Arts Foundation fosters and supports the visual arts in Atlanta.
In 1999, the Forward Arts Foundation established an Emerging Artist Award, now called the Edge Award, that recognizes an artist in the greater Atlanta community with a cash prize, a two-week residency at the Hambidge Center, and a solo exhibition at the Swan Coach House Gallery.
Community Grants
The Forward Arts Foundation Community Grants Program provides grants to non-profit organizations that promote the visual arts through programs, exhibitions, research, education, acquisition of works of art, and public outreach that benefit the greater Atlanta community.
The Forward Arts Foundation does not approve community grants to individuals.
If you have more questions or would like to apply, please click below.