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.

2023 Cultural Affairs Commissioners

Sharon Wanda Aikens
Alexis Alexander
Joanna Angell
Danielle Barboza
Michael Chaney
Lynda DeLoach
Barbara Essig
Lu Fang
Tana Fileecia-Flagg
Deborah Glenn, Chair
Andrea Hall-Houston, Co-Vice Chair
Rob Hessler
KeyShawn Housey
Patrick Kelsey, Co-Vice Chair
Emilee Kornegay
Kareem McMichael
DJ Murphy
Spencer White, III


Subcommittee Members

City Priorities 
Public Art Spotlight Weave-A-Dream Youth Advisory
Patrick Kelsey (Chair)
Sharon Wanda Aikens

Danielle Barboza
Deborah Glenn



Rob Hessler (Chair)
Deborah Glenn
Sharon Wanda Aikens
Joanna Angell
KeyShawn Housey
Barbara Essig
DJ Murphy
Kareem McMichael (Chair)
Sharon Wanda Aikens
Michael Chaney
Lu Fang
Patrick Kelsey
Lynda DeLoach
Deborah Glenn
DJ Murphy

Patrick Kelsey (Co-Chair)
Andrea Hall-Houston (Co-Chair)
Sharon Wanda Aikens
Deborah Glenn
Kareem McMichael
Michael Chaney
Lynda DeLoach
Tana Fileecia-Flagg
DJ Murphy
Tana Fileecia-Flagg (Chair)
Patrick Kelsey
Sharon Wanda Aikens
Andrea Hall-Houston
Kareem McMichael
Lynda DeLoach
Alexis Alexander
KeyShawn Housey
Barbara Essig
Danielle Barboza


Next Meeting

Cultural Affairs Commission Meeting
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
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, July 11.

Meeting Minutes


March 2023|  Click here to view past meeting minutes

Evaluation Forms

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