Development: The New Patron of the Arts

What exactly is the Serenbe Institute for Art, Culture and the Environment and why did Steve Nygren start it? The first arts program, AIR Serenbe, an artist-in-residence program, kicked off the Institute, with big plans to fund a pottery studio. There was early success with the residency but no permanent home, artists stayed in resident’s extra bedrooms or garage apartments. Since then Serenbe partnered with Auburn University’s design build architecture program, Rural Studio, to build two dedicated artist cottages on the Art Farm at Serenbe. Since then, the Institute has grown, introducing Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre in 2017, a Serenbe Fellows program, Serenbe Film with more units and programming that bring all forms of art and environment programming to the community and visitors from around the globe.Questions AnsweredWhat is the Serenbe Institute for Art, Culture & the Environment?Why was it important for Steve Nygren to honor the arts in a specific way at Serenbe?How do Serenbe residents support the Serenbe Institute?How did Steve Nygren get the idea to use transfer fees as a permanent source for arts funding at Serenbe?What was the first arts program in Serenbe?How did former Atlanta Ballet principals end up creating a company under the Serenbe Institute?People + Organizations MentionedSerenbe FellowsShelton StanfillMayor Shirley FranklinSouth Fulton Area InitiativeTelluride Film FestivalTerminus Modern Ballet TheatreTom SwanstonTom ReedTomlinson-Graham GroupActon AcademyAIR SerenbeAnis MojganiArt Farm at SerenbeArt Over DinnerArthur Blank FoundationAtlanta BalletThe new book, Start In Your Own Backyard, is out and available for ordering.  Step off the treadmill of life and book a stay at the Inn at Serenbe. Use code Serenbe Stories when you book online or over the phone and receive 10% off your stay!Learn more about Serenbe and see our Events Calendar. Order your copy of Start In Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where You Live with Radical Common Sense by Serenbe founder Steve Nygren.