Create Dunwoody grew out of a desire to leverage and promote the arts to improve the quality of life for residents of Dunwoody, Georgia, a northern suburb of Atlanta. We’re excited to welcome the organization as an Independent Sector member! We spoke with Create Dunwoody Executive Director Rosemary Watts about the nonprofit’s founding and how they celebrate their vibrant city through the arts.
How did Create Dunwoody come to exist?
Following the City of Dunwoody’s incorporation in 2008, civic leaders initially focused on building essential city services. Once those foundations were in place, attention turned toward initiatives that enrich civic life and foster community identity. The 2018 Arts & Culture Master Plan set that vision in motion, calling for a dedicated organization to lead it. In 2019, Create Dunwoody was founded as that nonprofit organization. The 2020 Public Art Implementation Plan further reinforced Create Dunwoody’s role as the driving force behind the city’s creative and cultural development.
What makes the arts so special to the people of Dunwoody?
In Dunwoody, arts and culture serve as a bridge between residents, businesses, and visitors, enriching everyday life, strengthening local identity, and activating public spaces. Create Dunwoody’s mission underscores this: “We believe in the transformative power of artistic expression and cultural exchange to enrich lives, stimulate local businesses, and attract visitors.” For many, art and culture create moments of connection, pride, and inspiration in the place they call home.
What are Create Dunwoody’s community initiatives, and could these approaches be adopted by other locales?
Some signature initiatives include the Storefront Art Exhibit, the Holiday Art Tree Program, October Fine Art Month, and the Dunwoody Creates activation platform. These programs invite local schools, artists, businesses, and residents to participate in visible public art experiences. Because many communities share the goals of connecting education, commerce, and culture, these approaches are highly replicable. They hinge on local partnerships, shared civic aspiration, and accessible, inclusive events.
What concerns do you have for your organization and the charitable sector as we grapple with tough, challenging times?
We are mindful of the pressures many nonprofits face including rising operational costs, funding uncertainty, volunteer fatigue, and the changing expectations around equity, access, and engagement. For us, sustaining a vibrant arts ecosystem requires continuous support, innovation, and community trust. Ensuring that cultural organizations remain resilient, relevant, and inclusive is a shared challenge across the sector.
Create Dunwoody Executive Director Rosemary Watts
How will joining Independent Sector help you better achieve your mission and goals?
Membership in Independent Sector provides access to peer learning, best practices, and policy advocacy that strengthen nonprofit capacity. By engaging with the wider charitable community, Create Dunwoody can deepen its operational effectiveness, amplify its voice on issues that impact arts and culture organizations, and connect more intentionally with sector-wide networks. This integration ultimately supports our ambition to build a thriving arts-and-culture hub that benefits all of Dunwoody’s residents and visitors.
Learn about other Independent Sector members and becoming a member.
