Public Art With Purpose: Amina Cooper on Equity, Community, and the Atlanta Beltline

On this episode of Cultural Catalysts, Alison McNeil sits down with Amina Cooper, the first-ever Director of Arts and Culture at Atlanta Beltline Art, one of the nation’s largest temporary public art exhibitions. An Atlanta native, Amina has more than a decade of experience leading multimillion-dollar public art projects and is nationally recognized for her leadership in equitable public art policy.From her early days growing up in Atlanta to her roles with Charlotte Douglas International Airport and her own consulting firm, Amina shares how community, mentorship, and advocacy shaped her journey. She discusses the importance of ensuring that public art reflects the communities it serves, her work uplifting Black monuments through documentation, and the expansive vision she’s bringing to the Beltline.Tune in to hear Amina talk about the role of public art in our daily lives, the value of mentorship and collaboration, and how she stays grounded while balancing large-scale projects with deep community care.Find out more:Atlanta BeltlineAmericans for The Arts@BlackMonuments on InstagramReno Public Art Want to know more about the Impact Roadmap: The Art of Describing Your Impact? Join the waitlist to get first access.🔗 Connect with Alison:LinkedInInstagram🌐   Find out more about McNeil Creative Enterprises.