About
We are a powerful voice and advocate for the arts
Ignite
Historic Charm.
The city of Roswell, Georgia is proud of its rich history, small-town character, and promising future. Our focus is on making the city of Roswell a destination for the arts and to make the arts a part of the city’s brand.
Inspire
Creative Culture.
Nestled along the Chattahoochee River just north of Atlanta, Roswell is home to a vibrant restaurant scene and an extensive art community, including exciting galleries, inspiring performing arts, and talented working artists.
Impact
Economic Vitality.
Roswell Arts Fund was founded to strengthen the scope of arts in the city and to champion the ability of the arts to excite the imagination, strengthen public places, and encourage conversation.
Our Mission
Roswell Arts Fund is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works in collaboration with the City of Roswell. The Fund was established in September 2014 and was designated as the arts agency for the city in December 2015. It was created as a direct outcome of the Imagine Roswell Arts and Culture 2030 Study.
How We Do It: Our 2018 Initiatives
Invest strategically in public art — temporary exhibits like ArtAround Roswell, and permanent, like Bucket Brigade for Fire Station #4.
Cultivate a culture of philanthropy and identify revenue sources to drive our initiatives.
Be a part of what we believe in
Help us strengthen the arts.
Meet the Team
Heidi Speckhart is a Roswell based fundraising consultant and arts administrator with over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Heidi holds a BA in Art History from Rutgers University and a MS in Arts Administration from Boston University. A skilled fundraiser and passionate arts advocate, Heidi has worked in development and fundraising for numerous organizations including both The Museum of Modern Art and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. In Heidi’s current work with the Roswell Arts Fund, she oversees the organization’s development and fundraising operations, events and strategic partnerships. Heidi works closely with the Arts Fund’s Board to implement the mission and vision of the Fund.
Hollis Gerth is a Roswell native and current MPA student. She has Bachelor’s degrees in Art History and Arts Management from the College of Charleston. Hollis works with the Directors of Development and Marketing for the Roswell Arts Fund on various programs and initiatives.
Rochelle is a consultant, speaker, educator, author and founder of Business as Performance Art, an independent consulting company that focused on organizational behavior (leadership, culture, and change). Prior to independent consulting, Rochelle served as regional director of training for Marriott Corporation and was affiliated with several global management consulting firms. Rochelle served as adjunct faculty for The University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business and Coles College of Business. Her most recent book, Aesthetic Intelligence, explores the intersection of business and the performing arts and the various ways these powerful disciplines can learn from each other.
Rochelle’s expertise includes leadership and organization development, organizational learning, change management, group dynamics, design and facilitation of strategic meetings.
Lawrence is a Georgia Tech graduate and serial entrepreneur and futurist, and is currently at his 5th startup company, Videa, where he is Senior Vice President of Technology.
Lawrence’s expertise includes start-ups, product management, information technology, high tech strategy, biomedical technology, software development, product marketing, and leadership.
Mac brings over twenty years of working with small to midsize organizations, start-ups and not-for-profits. Mac brings a passion for the arts in Roswell and is devoted to expanding our city brand and quality of our offerings.
Mac’s expertise includes broad skills and experience in finance and tax management and reporting for not-for-profits organizations including 501(c)(3) classification, budgeting and accounting, and collecting and managing Board financial commitments.
Jane’s expertise includes research, writing, editing, and public speaking.
Tai Anderson was a founding member and bassist of the Atlanta-based band Third Day. He led all of the band’s business initiatives since the band’s inception. Additionally, Tai designed the merchandise, live stage production, ticketing models, marketing plans and online platforms for the band. From its humble beginnings, the band grew into a worldwide entertainment brand with loyal followers all over the world, recording over a dozen albums and performing thousands of concerts.
The band has been recognized with 4 Grammy Awards, and American Music Award, and multiple Gospel Music Awards. Additionally, Third Day is a member of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.
Tai currently serves as the President of the Atlanta Chapter of the Recording Academy, hosts a podcast on Roswell issues called Positively Roswell, and is a proud father of many Roswell Hornet athletes.
Tai’s expertise are in marketing plans, branding, online merchandising, ticketing, and events.
Monica Hagewood, CRE is principal and founder of Strata Real Estate Alliance, LLP, a commercial real estate advisory firm that has been providing real estate strategies and solutions to public and private clients since 1996. Monica has over 25 years of experience in the industry ranging from asset management, risk assessment, development strategies as well as feasibility and market analysis. Monica is chair of the Roswell Downtown Development Authority and brings extensive experience in city leadership and with economic and land development.
Monica’s expertise includes leadership, strategic planning, real estate, financial oversight, and marketing.
Mike brings over thirty years of experience in Technology Sales and Marketing. He has held sales and leadership positions at a number of broadcast and media technology firms and is currently the VP of Sales for BroadStream Solutions. An Atlanta based Broadcast Technology Solutions Provider. Mike is an avid art collector and arts patron. He currently serves on the Fulton County Public Art Committee which assists County Agencies and Departments in the evaluation and placement of public art. He has served on the Board of Hammonds House Museum in Atlanta and as a co-chair of Smart Collectors, a group focused on assisting collectors build their collections and their knowledge of the visual arts.
Mike’s expertise includes sales, customer service, strategic development, and cultivating partnerships.
Cara is a professional in the non-profit industry with twenty-five years of experience in fundraising, grant writing, earned-revenue programs, and special events. Ten years ago, Cara formed her own company serving the needs for small non-profits in the Atlanta area. Cara is passionate about arts and culture, particularly as it relates to the development of community.
Cara’s expertise includes extensive experience working with nonprofits in all areas, fundraising, event planning and project management.
Scott Hitch is a business attorney experienced in navigating legal issues arising in environmental, land use, energy, corporate, and commercial real estate matters.
He also represents clients working in the music, film, television, theater, and publishing industries and in connection with estate planning strategies. Scott has served on the boards of directors of the Green Chamber of the South, the Georgia Environmental Policy Institute, Rivers Alive, and Keep Roswell Beautiful. He is a volunteer attorney for Georgia Lawyers for the Arts. Prior to opening Hitch Law LLC in Roswell, Scott practiced with several Am Law 100 firms in Atlanta. Scott is an alumnus of the University of Georgia (BS, with honors, ecology, minor, political science, 1996), and the UGA School of Law (JD, cum laude, 1999). Scott is the lead singer and guitarist in the band Along for the Ride, which regularly performs in venues throughout the Atlanta metro area. Scott and his wife, Angie, have lived in Roswell since 2000, and are the proud parents of two budding musical theatre triple threats.
Scott’s expertise are in law and legal issues, environment and sustainability, and music and performances.
Don taught band and orchestra in the public schools and developed national award winning bands and orchestras in the mid-west United States. Several of his performing ensembles won awards in international competition in addition to winning numerous state and national championships.
Don has been married to his spouse, Gayle, for 46 years. He has two adult children and five grandchildren. He is an active member of Roswell Presbyterian Church and sings in the Chancel Choir. He has numerous hobbies that include music, gourmet cooking, photography, and woodworking.
Don’s expertise are in planning, government, finance, and music.
Steve’s expertise includes sales, strategic planning, entrepreneurship, digital marketing, project management, publishing and team leadership.
Troy is the consummate financial professional, bringing a wide range of financial skills and acumen to the organization. Currently, Troy is the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of the Southern Education Foundation. His work primarily focuses on managing the accounting and financial operations of the organization as well as overseeing management of SEF’s endowment with the Board of Trustees. He also works with the President to manage the general operations of the organization. He is a sixteen year veteran of the nonprofit industry. Many of the organizations he worked with prior to SEF concentrated on youth, health services, and community development efforts. He currently serves on the boards of Live Thrive Atlanta and East Lake YMCA, and has served on various HOA boards. He received his undergraduate degree from Hampton University and his master’s degree from Mercer University
Troy’s expertise includes financial analysis, reporting and auditing, tax accounting and due diligence.
Kent’s skills include exhibition design, artist relations and concept development.
Brooke’s expertise includes marketing, public relations, strategic planning, entrepreneurship, fundraising and event planning.
Susan Rumble is a real estate professional with expertise in all aspects of residential real estate transactions. Susan is proficient in the latest industry technology, market research, contract expertise and business strategies with an emphasis on exceptional service and successful closings. Susan is dedicated to her clients with a constant focus on positive results to meet each of her client’s unique goals.
Susan is very active in the Roswell community, and she was involved with the public art project for the Sculpture Garden at Roswell Area Park.
Jay is a graduate of Indiana University and is currently the Sr. Director of Internal Audit for Compass Group.
Jay’s expertise includes finance/budgeting, audit, city department administration/oversight, and non-profit leadership.
Catherine’s expertise includes Financial Planning, Banking and Business Management.
Sponsors
Without generous support of our sponsors, our work would not be possible. Check out our community partners and sponsors.
