culture
Augusta Institutions Launch New Exhibitions Spotlighting Rising Artists This Month
Augusta institutions spotlight rising artists through new exhibitions and fellowships starting this month.
How we reported this
The Augusta Museum of Contemporary Art opens its Emerging Voices series on July 20 with works from 12 artists under age 30 selected from an open call that drew 180 submissions.
Global events from supply disruptions to climate pressures have pushed museums here to prioritize younger creators who address those themes through local lenses rather than established names.
Programs at Broad Street and Riverfront sites
The series runs at the museum's main building on Broad Street and pairs with the Riverfront Arts Center's new mentorship track, where selected artists receive studio space for six months and access to equipment funded through a city arts grant. Both venues sit in the Old Town neighborhood, blocks from the Augusta Public Library's rotating display cases that now feature the same cohort's sketchbooks.
Last year's visitor counts at the museum reached 142,000, a 22 percent rise from 2024, with the largest share under age 35 according to internal tallies released in the annual report. Works in the new show carry price tags between $450 and $3,200, with 30 percent of sales proceeds earmarked for the artists' materials stipends.
Next steps for viewers
Tickets for the July 20 preview cost $18 and include access to a walk-through led by curators at 6 p.m.; advance purchase is required through the museum website. The full exhibition continues through October 12.