Woodruff to Honor Molly Blank Fund, Jessica Booth

The Woodruff Arts Center, home of the Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and High Museum of Art, will host its 2023 Luminaries Luncheon at 11:30 a.m., Monday, Oct. 16. Following a reception and a seated lunch, the event will honor the Molly Blank Fund of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, and Jessica Booth, fine arts program manager of the Georgia Department of Education, for their beneficial impact on arts education in the community. The award ceremony will also feature highlights from the art center’s innovative educational programming.

“The Molly Blank Fund and Jessica Booth have both made extraordinary contributions to our work in education across the Arts Center, throughout the city of Atlanta, and the entire state of Georgia. As two champions of education through the arts, both know the enormous impact arts-based learning has on student success,” said Hala Moddelmog, president and CEO of the Woodruff Arts Center. “The Luminaries Luncheon is our way of honoring their efforts while showcasing the nationally recognized work being done in education through the arts here at the Woodruff Arts Center. It allows us to thank a community that invests generously in arts-based learning everywhere.”

The Molly Blank Fund focuses on investing in arts and culture, at-risk youth, and Jewish causes emphasizing social justice and interfaith coalitions. Since the 2018/2019 season, the Molly Blank Fund has been a member of the Woodruff Circle, contributing to the arts and education work of the Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and High Museum of Art.

Booth has an extensive background in serving Georgia’s students, educators, and families. During her eight-year tenure as the Georgia Department of Education’s first fine arts program manager, she was responsible for the creation of Georgia Standards of Excellence in Fine Arts, professional development, and support for fine arts teachers. She developed full year teacher curriculum resources for 90 fine arts courses in grades K-12, with a focus on engaging with local and contemporary artists, performers, and educators.

For more information about the luncheon, contact Caitlin Way at (404) 733-5050 or caitlin.way@woodruffcenter.org.