The nonprofit arts and culture sector is a $44.2 million industry in the Greater Augusta Area—one that supports 1,616 full-time equivalent jobs and generates $3.9 million in local and state government revenue. Whether it’s viewing paintings at Morris Museum of Art or taking in a concert at the Imperial Theatre, it pumps vital revenue into restaurants, hotels, retail stores, and other local businesses.
The Augusta Symphony has been an important part of the arts scene for 71 years. They have a new Executive Director, Paige Tom, who is a familiar face.
She brings a love of symphonic music and an extensive knowledge of the organization to her new role. For the past four years, Tom has served as Finance Director of both the Augusta Symphony and Miller Theater.
“Logic prevailed when our Augusta Symphony Executive Board unanimously voted to internally promote Paige Tom from Director of Finance to the Augusta Symphony Executive Director,” said Vicki Bedder, Augusta Symphony and Miller Theater Board President. Paige has a long history of being active in numerous art organizations within our community. We are fortunate to have her experience, commitment, and leadership.”
Tom is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a BBA in Accounting and has over 35 years of experience in the accounting profession, having worked in nonprofit, government, public, and private accounting.
“Being in this new role is exciting, and I look forward to the challenge of learning all aspects of the Symphony and continuing the exceptional work with such a remarkable team of professionals,” said Tom.
The Augusta Symphony is the primary professional orchestra for the Central Savannah River Area. Through annual symphonic, pops, and family concerts, they reach approximately 20,000 people each year. Through its Community Chords education and outreach programs, the Symphony further strives to foster broad accessibility to live classical music performance and a lifelong appreciation of the art form among people of all ages, backgrounds, and means. The Symphony’s Community Chords programs currently serve thousands of youths and adults in communities within a seventy five-mile radius of Augusta. To learn more about the Augusta Symphony, visit AugustaSymphony.com.
If you need even more music and art in your life, the Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival is coming up in a couple of months. Artwork from local artists, musicians, and street performers is all part of the three-day festival from September 19 – 21. For more information, click here.
Editor’s Note:
Mitzi Oxford is a veteran broadcaster and features writer who also worked at the same television station in Columbus, Georgia as Augusta’s Brad Means! If you have a South Carolina story idea for Mitzi, please email her at mitzioxfordcreative@gmail.com.
