Discover ATHICA: Athens Institute for Contemporary Art, Inc. - Work may be formally adventurous, such as conceptual objects and installations, or politically or socially engaged, or both! Visual artists are encouraged to create for the space specifically. Stay and Play in GA!
Area writers, performance artists, musicians and other creative people are invited to bring events of an experimental nature to the space.
Mission and General Info
Conceived as an alternative art space, the Athens Institute for Contemporary Art is dedicated to exhibiting challenging, provocative and innovative contemporary art in a non-commercial setting, solely for the cultural enrichment of the Northeast Georgia community.
Work may be formally adventurous, such as conceptual objects and installations, or politically or socially engaged, or both! Visual artists are encouraged to create for the space specifically. Area writers, performance artists, musicians and other creative people are invited to bring events of an experimental nature to the space. As a non-profit, 501(c)(3)
But even more importantly, as a non-profit institution there is no need to censor content, as there is at our government-funded institutions. We believe that Northeast Georgia residents greatly value the kind of cultural enrichment ATHICA provides (one similarly fostered at ICA's around the southeast, such as The Contemporary in Atlanta, the Southeast Contemporary Art Center in Winston-Salem, The Temporary Contemporary in Nashville and PBICA in Palm Beach).
The presence of The University of Georgia's Lamar Dodd School of Art and the thriving music scene ensure that there is plenty of creative energy in Athens -- ATHICA provides a place for it to test its wings.
Amenities: Parking, Public Restrooms, Accessibility for mobility-impaired, Party Facilities. Free admission.
A Brief History
Through a gleam in our Director's eye for many years, thanks to the generosity and vision of FiveArt, Inc., a group of local developersand arts boosters, a 2,200 square foot space in a warehouse that is jointly owned by the Chase Street Park Condominium Association was renovated in winter of 2001. It was leased to ATHICA for $1 a year for our initial 3 years, and for a reduced rent, thereafter.
The space is in a warehouse district that has quickly emerged as a new urban arts district, with recording studos, internet businesses and numerous artists' studios, all just a little over a mile from our thriving downtown. It also houses the Canopy dance and trapeze studio and most recently, the commercial gallery, Mercury Fine Arts and Eo Studios, an internet and digital film company.
ATHICA registered as a non-profit organization in the state of Georgia in November 2001. We achieved our advance ruling of Federal tax-exempt status, that is our status as a 501 (c)(3) organization in July 2002 and our permanent confirmation after the 5-year period in 2006. Our board, made up of local artists, arts professionals, graduate art history students and arts supporters, all helped to achieve our founding and continuance.
Phone - Address - Directions & Website
Phone: 706-208-1613 Address: 160 Tracy Street, Unit 4, Athens Georgia 30601 Directions To ATHICA from Atlanta: Take I-85N to GA 316 towards Lawrenceville/Athens. Continue straight on 316 past Home Depot and Lowe's until you merge onto Atlanta Hwy/GA 78 (do not take the loop 10 which is also marked 78, take all the way til a merge onto Atlanta Hwy when 316 ends). Continue on Atlanta Hwy/GA 78 to the intersection with Milledge Avenue - The Varsity will be on your left and the road is now called Broad Street. TURN LEFT. Follow Milledge until it dead ends on Prince Avenue - TURN RIGHT. Follow Prince to Barber Street and TURN LEFT. After you cross the railroad tracks, Tracy Street will be at the bottom of the hill - TURN LEFT and continue past the concrete plant. Chase Street Warehouses and ATHICA will be on your right; parking is past the building and around the side. - ATHICA Website
Gallery Hours
Thursday at 6-9 pm - Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays at 1-6 pm - And by appointment
Conceived as an alternative art space, the Athens Institute for Contemporary Art is dedicated to exhibiting challenging, provocative and innovative contemporary art in a non-commercial setting, solely for the cultural enrichment of the Northeast Georgia community. 
