Cultural Affairs Commission

The Cultural Affairs Commission is made up of 18 members, appointed by the Mayor and Aldermen. Commissioners meet every other month to review programming. In addition, the commission meets once a year to recommend purchases of cultural services from eligible arts organizations.

The Cultural Affairs Commission’s mission is to foster innovative programming and services as a means of increasing the diversity and the quality of available artistic, cultural, and historical offerings, of raising the community’s awareness of the benefits gained from such programs, and of ensuring that those sectors are used to enrich the quality of life within the City of Savannah.

With an eye to the future of this community’s arts, culture, and historical life, the Mayor and Aldermen passed an ordinance on June 14, 1979, that established the Cultural Arts Commission (formerly known as the Savannah Arts Council). Mayor and Council charged the Commission with the responsibility of advocating for the creation, the promotion, and the expansion of the arts, culture, and historical opportunities to be enjoyed by residents and visitors of Savannah. As envisioned by the Mayor and Aldermen, the Commission would voice the concerns, the needs, and the desires of Savannah, concerning art, culture, and history.

2021 Cultural Affairs Commissioners

Sharon Wanda Aikens
Alexis Alexander
Joanna Angell
Tarcia Bush
Michael Chaney, Vice Chair
Lynda DeLoach
Lu Fang
Tana Fileecia-Flagg
Deborah Glenn
Andrea Hall-Houston
Rob Hessler
KeyShawn Housey
Antonio Hunter
Patrick Kelsey, Chair
Doris Liggins
Kareem McMichael
Taqwaa F. Saleem
Robin Sherman


Subcommittee Members

City Priorities 
Public Art Spotlight Weave-A-Dream Youth Advisory
Patrick Kelsey (Chair)
Sharon Wanda Aikens
Robin Sherman
Rob Hessler (Chair)
Patrick Kelsey
Sharon Wanda Aikens
Doris Liggins
Robin Sherman
Sharon Wanda Aikens
Lu Fang
Patrick Kelsey
Kareem McMichael 
Michael Chaney (Chair)
Patrick Kelsey
Sharon Wanda Aikens
Andrea Hall-Houston
Kareem McMichael
Tana Fileecia-Flagg (Chair)
Patrick Kelsey
Sharon Wanda Aikens
Andrea Hall-Houston
Kareem McMichael


Next Meeting

Cultural Affairs Commission Meeting
Wednesday, May 11, 2021
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Savannah Cultural Arts Center, Ben Tucker Theater
201 Montgomery Street, Savannah, GA 31401

The public is invited to attend the Cultural Affairs Commission meetings. If you would like to join the meeting, please send an RSVP to this email by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 10.

Meeting Minutes


January 2022 |  Click here to view past meeting minutes

Evaluation Forms

The following form is for Cultural Affairs Commissioner use:
ONLINE FORM: Commission Evaluation Form