Atlanta, GA, October 9, 2025
News Summary
Atlanta’s annual public art festival, ELEVATE, is set to return, celebrating the rich cultural heritage and promoting community well-being across the city. The festival will span from Downtown to West End with the theme ‘Rooted & Rising,’ focusing on cultural preservation as health equity. Attendees can expect a variety of activities, including performances, art installations, and marketplace gatherings, aimed at enhancing community connections. Curated by notable local artists, this event promises to redefine Atlanta’s cultural landscape and engage younger audiences through impactful and creative programming.
Atlanta’s annual public art festival, ELEVATE, will return from October 10-12, 2025, celebrating the city’s cultural heritage and community well-being. This year’s festival will span across the city, encompassing areas from Downtown to West End, with a theme of “Rooted & Rising” that emphasizes cultural preservation as health equity.
ELEVATE aims to highlight the rituals, spaces, and stories of Black Atlanta as essential components for community healing. This year’s focus is on Atlanta’s cultural rise during the late 1980s to early 2000s—an era that significantly shaped the city’s global influence.
The festival seeks to create a vibrant cultural and creative activation at multiple venues throughout Atlanta. A diverse range of activities is planned, including performances, pop-ups, and marketplace gatherings aimed at enhancing community connections.
The opening day will feature ‘Steele Fresh,’ a multi-sensory event held on the Carrie Steele Bridge and led by multidisciplinary artist Courtney Brooks. This event will include a group meditation, a fashion show, and a musical performance by Tiffany Goode & The Goode Stuff Experience.
On the second day, the festival will host a marketplace showcasing local stylists and beauticians, promoting local talent and craftsmanship. The day will culminate in the ‘Crown Classic Hair Showdown,’ a ’90s-inspired hair competition that celebrates creative hairstyling.
The closing program, titled ‘Welcome to the Westside,’ will spotlight local businesses and artists in the Westview area, guided by creators Stephen Wilkins and Jordan Neal. This program aims to facilitate neighborly connections, resource sharing, and sustainable growth within the community.
The ELEVATE curators for 2025 include Courtney Brooks, Melissa “Phyllis Iller” Alexander, and SLW & Steady Productions. Each curator contributes unique perspectives that enrich the festival’s focus on cultural heritage and community healing.
Adriane V. Jefferson, the new executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, aims to engage Gen Z and millennials, making this year’s festival particularly appealing to a younger audience. The festival has been designed to be a condensed, impactful three-day event as opposed to the lengthy, multi-month format of previous years.
Overall, ELEVATE 2025 seeks to redefine Atlanta’s identity while simultaneously celebrating its existing cultural landscape. The festival’s combination of arts, community engagement, and local cultural heritage promises an enlightening experience for attendees.
FAQ Section
What are the dates for ELEVATE 2025?
ELEVATE will take place from October 10-12, 2025.
What is the theme for this year’s festival?
The theme for 2025 is “Rooted & Rising,” emphasizing cultural preservation as health equity.
Which areas of Atlanta will the festival cover?
The festival will take place citywide, from Downtown to West End.
What kind of activities can attendees expect?
Activities planned include performances, pop-ups, and marketplace gatherings.
What events are planned for the opening day?
The opening day includes ‘Steele Fresh,’ a multi-sensory event on the Carrie Steele Bridge led by multidisciplinary artist Courtney Brooks, along with a group meditation, a fashion show, and a performance by Tiffany Goode & The Goode Stuff Experience.
What is the purpose of ELEVATE 2025?
The festival aims to facilitate neighborly connection, resource sharing, and sustainable growth.
Who are the curators for this year’s festival?
The ELEVATE curators for 2025 are Courtney Brooks, Melissa “Phyllis Iller” Alexander, and SLW & Steady Productions.
What changes have been made to the festival format?
ELEVATE 2025 is designed to be a condensed, powerful three-day event compared to previous years, which lasted several months.
What is the focus of the closing program?
The closing program, ‘Welcome to the Westside,’ highlights local businesses and artists in Westview, guided by creators Stephen Wilkins and Jordan Neal.
Key Features of ELEVATE 2025
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Dates | October 10-12, 2025 |
| Theme | Rooted & Rising: Cultural preservation as health equity |
| Locations | Citywide, from Downtown to West End |
| Opening Event | ‘Steele Fresh’ featuring a fashion show and performances |
| Main Attractions | Crown Classic Hair Showdown, Marketplace with local talents |
| Closing Program | ‘Welcome to the Westside’ with local business highlights |
| Curators | Courtney Brooks, Melissa “Phyllis Iller” Alexander, SLW & Steady Productions |
| Executive Director | Adriane V. Jefferson, focusing on engaging Gen Z and millennials |
| Format Change | Condensed three-day event compared to multi-month previous years |
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Additional Resources
- Discover Atlanta: ELEVATE 2025
- Atlanta News First: ELEVATE 2025
- Rough Draft Atlanta: ELEVATE Highlights
- AJC: Reimagined ELEVATE Art Fest
- Wikipedia: ELEVATE
Author: STAFF HERE ATLANTA WRITER
The ATLANTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAtlanta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Atlanta, Fulton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as vibrant music festivals like Shaky Knees and Music Midtown, major cultural celebrations including Dragon Con and the Atlanta Film Festival, and iconic sporting events like the Peachtree Road Race. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, beverages, and retail that power the local economy such as Delta Air Lines, The Coca-Cola Company, and The Home Depot. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAugusta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
