Ms. Camille Russell Love
Since 1998, Camille Russell Love has directed the cultural programming for the City of Atlanta. As Executive Director, she guides the cultural and artistic vision of the Chastain Arts Center and Gallery, the City’s Public Art Program, Gallery 72, Elevate, Contracts for Arts Services, the Cultural Experience Project and the Atlanta Jazz Festival, which, year after year, continues to be one of the nation’s preeminent free jazz festivals.
In October 2010, the Office of Cultural Affairs was recognized by proclamation from the Atlanta City Council for “unifying Atlanta’s cultural community through programs and cultural experiences that enhance the quality of life and provide cultural and art opportunities to all citizens and visitors.”
As a result of the impact she has made on the City, Camille has been recognized by various local, national and international agencies in response to her work. In 2002, she received the Inspired Cultural Excellence Award presented by Omega Media. She was a graduate of the 2006 Atlanta Regional Commission’s ‘Regional Leadership Institute’ and was awarded the Community Impact Award presented by Living the Dream in 2007. She has served on the boards of the Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund, APEX Museum, Piedmont Park Conservancy and the National Black Arts Festival. She was also a member of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation National Selection Committee and the 1996 Cultural Olympiad Committee. In 2012 she was awarded both the Ford Freedom Unsung Award, presented by Ford Motor Company, and the Women in the Arts award from Synchronicity. The National Black Arts Festival presented Ms. Love with the Cultural Warrior Award in 2013 and Arts for Learning, Woodruff Arts Center honored her as one of three 2015 Luminaries: Champions of Arts in Education. In recognition of her contribution to art and culture in Atlanta and abroad, Camille Russell Love received the distinction of Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French Minister of Culture and Communication in 2017.