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Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed to Deliver The Art Institute of Atlanta’s 2017 Commencement Address

Mayor Kasim Reed, long-time supporter of the arts in Atlanta, will serve as keynote speaker for nearly 400 students at the annual commencement for The Art Institute of Atlanta and The Art Institute of Atlanta—Decatur, a branch of The Art Institute of Atlanta, on June 16, 2017 at the Woodruff Arts Center. 

The graduates, who have all attended programs in the applied arts, will be receiving associate and bachelor’s degrees in design, fashion, media, or culinary arts. Student speakers include award winning filmmakers, Jillian Kibler and Tim Collins, who are currently pursuing Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in Digital Filmmaking & Video Production at Ai Atlanta. Their short film, Kiss of Death, was accepted into the Cannes Film Festival’s Short Film Corner in Cannes, France. As residents of Metro Atlanta and future creative professionals, they have and will continue to benefit from the mayor’s support of the arts. 

The Honorable Kasim Reed is the 59th Mayor of the City of Atlanta. Since he was elected in 2013, Mayor Reed has increased core city services, reduced the city’s spending and has committed to giving back to Atlanta’s creative community. 

“Mayor Reed is a visionary for creating work for artists in Atlanta and improving the city’s public art,” said Institutional President, Newton I. Myvett. “We are honored to have the Mayor as the 2017 commencement speaker and celebrate his accomplishments during his two terms in office.”  

Prior to being elected, Mayor Reed established a track record of leadership during his 11 years as a member of the Georgia General Assembly. He was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1998 and served two terms. From 2002 to 2009, he served in the Georgia State Senate, where he was Vice Chairman of the Senate Democratic Caucus. He is a former partner of Holland and Knight LLP, an international law firm. 

Mayor Reed is a graduate of Howard University in Washington D.C., where he received his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees and an honorary Doctor of Laws. 

The Art Institute of Atlanta’s graduation ceremony will begin at 11:00am. The Woodruff Arts Center is located at 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309. 

To request accommodations in connection with this event, contact the Student Affairs Department or program organizer in advance at (770) 394-8300.