In 2008, AthFest Inc. formed the AthFest Education Committee with the goal of sharing the wealth of Athens’ rich musical talent, knowledge, and expertise with local students.

Several programs have been created to not only educate, but to inspire, students at the elementary and middle school levels, and to provide instruments to children of lesser means. These include AthFest AfterSchool, AthFest InSchool, and Keys for Kids.

Through separate fund-raising efforts, including the auction of donated, signed Gretsch guitars, AthFest continues to give back to the local community with their outreach in the local schools

"At Chase Street Elementary, we are very thankful for the new experience AthFest InSchool has brought to our school. The program graciously has coordinated musicians to come to the school during lunchtime to perform for our entire student body. Many of our students have not had exposure to live music, and it is amazing to see the atmosphere created in the cafeteria from the gift of music." - Adam L. Kurtz - principal of Clarke County's Chase Street Elementary School

Read the Flagpole Magazine Article: "AthFest Makes Musical Inroads to Local Schools" (Jan. 27, 2010)

The AthFest Education committee is currently working on developing a program to be implemented in the middle schools.

This program is supported in part by Grassroots Arts Program of the Georgia Council for the Arts through an appropriation of the Georgia General Assembly in partnership with the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center

AthFest, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to music and arts education. Proceeds from events such as AthFest and the Athens, GA Half-Marathon support year-round educational efforts in local schools.