Film features five Atlanta rising artists of color performing at the intersection of art and social justice and  set against the backdrop of a MARTA train magically transformed into a sound stage 

(Atlanta, GA) NEXT Atlanta, MARTA Artbound  and WABE are proud to launch the premiere of ‘The NEXT Movement’ Virtual Concert Series (Season 1) – an innovative film featuring commissioned performances from five of Atlanta’s rising literary, visual, and musical artists, on Tuesday, November 21 from 7 – 9:30 pm at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

Set against the backdrop of a specially ccommissioned MARTA train, NPR Tiny Desk-style, the concert series speaks to the impact of a global pandemic, a national racial reckoning and each artist’s answer to the question:  where do we go NEXT? It features powerful performances by some of Atlanta’s leading artists working at the intersection of art and social justice – poet and author Jon Goode, musician CC Sunchild, cellist Okorie ‘OkCello’ Johnson, poet and author Carlos Andres Gomez, and visual artist Melissa A. Mitchell.

The film will have its national launch on WABE and the PBS PASSPORT platform in late November with this screening serving as the official, exclusive debut. 

“This film allows us to share the voices of our community’s most aspiring Black and Brown artists many of whom still struggle to gain the access needed to broadly share those talents. Thanks to this incredible collaboration with  MARTA Artbound, we are able to further amplify their artistic expression in service to social change,” said NEXT Executive Director P. Faith Carmichael. 

The November 21st event is more than just a film screening, however. It will include a panel discussion and interactive dialogue with the audience, artists, filmmakers, and some of the city’s leading art activists coming together for an evening of candid conversations and soul-baring performances. 

It’s all part of “The NEXT Movement campaign, a multi-platform arts and social action effort launched in 2022 by NEXT and MARTA Artbound that aims to elevate the voices of Atlanta’s artists to address our community’s post-pandemic dreams and challenges, while harnessing the connective power of mass transit to ignite meaningful conversations.

“When MARTA was approached about the campaign, we were excited for the opportunity to further showcase Atlanta’s vibrant and diverse artistic community,” said MARTA Artbound Director Katherine Dirga. “This film exemplifies the link between art, social justice, and forward motion, and through our continued partnership with NEXT, MARTA has been able to amplify its role as a community connector—engaging Atlantans around the critical issues that affect us most.”

Earlier this year, WABE joined the partnership as the media home for this compelling series, airing it as part of its WABE Presents original programming and on its national PBS online platform. 

Don’t miss this unique and interactive event on November 21, from 7 – 9:30 p.m. at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, 1100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Tickets are FREE, but space is limited, so reserve your spot today. Convenient parking is available at the nearby World of Coca-Cola or Georgia Aquarium garages.

“The NEXT Movement” film series is proudly presented by NEXT ATL in partnership with MARTA Artbound and WABE. It is curated by P. Faith Carmichael and filmed in partnership with Las Palmas Studios and Overnightish Films.

This film and broader campaign would not be possible without the generous support of The NEXT Movement sponsors: The Integral Group, The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Arts and Entertainment Atlanta, Orange Barrel Media, and The National Black Arts (NBAF).

To learn more visit www.next-atlanta.com or @MARTA_Artbound on Instagram

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About the NEXT Movement

The NEXT Movement” is  a multi-platform arts and social action campaign led by local arts organization NEXT and MARTA Artbound. As part of the campaign, NEXT and MARTA have commissioned five Atlanta-based artists to create artworks of various genres that speak directly to the global pandemic and the racial reckoning that have rocked communities of color over the past two years.

In addition to the five featured artists, The NEXT Movement campaign will feature several  leading Atlanta creatives, speaking to this moment and to the role of art as inspiration for us all. That list includes nationally-renowned visual artist Charly Palmer, rising star curator and visual artist Tracy Murrell, curator of African Art for the High Museum of Atlanta Lauren Tate Baeza, CEO of The Integral Group and leading art patron Egbert Perry and National Black Arts Executive Director Stephanie Owens.

About NEXT

NEXT-Atlanta showcases the most aspiring stars in the visual, musical and literary arts while, at the same time, galvanizing the city’s creative class into a potent force for change.

About MARTA Artbound

MARTA’s public art program, Artbound provides visual and performing art experiences dedicated to helping our customers enjoy the ride.

About WABE

WABE is Atlanta’s original, independent, non-profit sources for news and local stories. Our stations deliver fact-based journalism and inclusive, engaging, cultural content that inform and connect the millions who call the Greater Atlanta area home.

About The National Center for Civil and Human Rights

The National Center for Civil and Human Rights believes in justice and dignity for all – and the power of people to make this real. We inspire visitors and our other audiences with immersive exhibitions, dynamic events and conversations, and engagement and education/training programs.