South Arts names Doug Shipman as next president and CEO

Atlanta politician and civil leader Doug Shipman will soon step down from his role as Atlanta’s City Council president to take the position of president and CEO of South Arts. It is one of six not-for-profit regional arts organizations (RAOs) funded by the National Endowment for the Arts to provide effective support to creatives through advocacy, funding, partnerships and collaborations. 

Since its founding in 1975 under the name Southern Arts Federation, South Arts has expanded to support artists across nine Southern states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. In a region that receives minimal national philanthropic support, organizations like South Arts fill an essential role through a diverse array of programs and offerings that is additionally supported by funding from private foundations, corporations and individuals. 

Recent accomplishments by South Arts include a $6 million grant initiative for BIPOC arts organizations; an annual initiative for writers, publishers and small presses; early response to NEA cuts from the federal government; and ArtsHERE, a $12 million grant initiative to more than 112 arts organizations across the nation. Now in its 50th year, South Arts seeks to continue its legacy of support and funding the arts under the leadership of Shipman, who will bring extensive experience in transportation, economic development, ethics and budgeting to the role. 

“I’m excited to return to the arts and cultural sector with a focus on the entire Southeastern region,” Shipman told ArtsATL. “The opportunity to support and engage artists and arts organizations across nine states is exciting, especially at a time where arts and culture are so needed to help communities understand themselves and the tumultuous world around us.”

South Arts’ unique positioning of support through engagement with state arts council leadership across the region will benefit from Shipman’s extensive knowledge gleaned from the role of City Council president, as well as his experience as CEO of both the National Center for Civil and Human Rights and the Woodruff Arts Center. From fundraising to daily operations support, Shipman hopes he can leverage the role to build broad support for South Arts and the region as a whole. 

When asked about what programming Shipman is most excited to see continue at South Arts, he cites the Southern Prize and State Fellowships for its ability to showcase creative voices, while noting that the empowerment of arts leaders and organizations through capacity-building programs are more vital now than ever. While he’s also got new ideas he’d like to bring to life, he’s wisely keeping those to himself for now. 

Shipman will bring a diverse array of experience, wisdom and expertise to the role at South Arts when he takes office on January 20, 2026. “So many elements of the South benefit from a thriving arts and culture scene — individuals in their access to great offerings, communities that grow as arts and culture both sustain residents and attract tourists, and the region influences national and international conversations which open cultural and economic opportunities far beyond the direct work of any one arts organization,” said Shipman. “A thriving arts scene is the cultural currency that makes a region relevant and alive.”

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Isadora Pennington is senior editor of art + design and dance for artsATL. An experienced writer and photographer with a deep love for the arts, Isadora founded the Sketchbook newsletter with Rough Draft Atlanta in 2022. She is also president of the Avondale Arts Alliance and director of the Avondale Arts Center.