An alumna and leader at the University of West Georgia has been appointed to the Georgia Council for the Arts, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced earlier this week. 

Brandy Barker ’08, currently serving as UWG’s chief creative officer and assistant vice president for University Advancement, is a practiced arts leader with dynamic career spanning both academia and the creative industry. With this appointment, she will support the cultivation and growth of vibrant, thriving Georgia communities through the arts. 

“I am deeply honored to be appointed to the Georgia Council for the Arts,” Barker said. “I have seen firsthand how art has the power to transform communities and enhance the experience of a place, and I am thrilled to contribute to the arts landscape in our state.” 

In her current role with UWG, Barker leads public art programming initiatives both on the university’s campuses and in its communities, fosters partnerships with cultural institutions to expand opportunities for collaboration and engagement, and directs the creative output of the institution. 

Barker earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from UWG in graphic design and printmaking and her Master of Arts degree from Kennesaw State University in art and design, with a concentration on museum studies. She also serves as a part-time faculty member, teaching, among other courses, a class on “Art as Business” and connecting students to experiential learning opportunities like designing wolf statues for local businesses and organizations. 

Barker’s commitment to the arts has been demonstrated through her service to the City of Carrollton as an Arts Council member from 2016 to 2018, as well as serving on the Board of Directors at the Atlanta Printmakers Studio from 2022 to 2024, where she contributed to the growth and support of the printmaking community in Hapeville. 

The Georgia Council for the Arts empowers the arts industry in Georgia and artists around the state to cultivate healthy, vibrant communities that are rich in civic participation, cultural experiences and economic prosperity. As part of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Georgia Council for the Arts provides grant funding, programs and services statewide that support this vital industry, preserve the state’s cultural heritage and create increased access to high-quality arts experiences. 

To learn more about the Georgia Council for the Arts, visit their webpage.