Atlanta’s countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is bringing fresh opportunities to blend art, culture, and community pride. On Wednesday, Mayor Andre Dickens joined students, faculty, and leaders at SCADshow to unveil plans for new murals that will transform key sites across the city before the world arrives next summer.
The event, hosted by the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), highlighted proposed artwork from talented student artists and identified high-visibility spaces that will serve as canvases. These murals are designed not only to celebrate Atlanta’s rich heritage and diverse communities but also to leave a lasting legacy of creativity for residents and visitors alike.
Mayor Dickens reminded attendees that Atlanta is now just nine months away from hosting its first FIFA match. The Metro Atlanta Chamber projects the tournament will generate more than half a billion dollars in regional economic impact. “These games are so much bigger than any single sporting event,” Dickens said. “This is our chance to showcase all the things that set Atlanta apart—our heritage, our diverse communities, our thriving business and tech ecosystems, and the city’s unique energy.”
The City of Atlanta has partnered with SCAD in the past, but this project is different: it’s a call for collaboration. Corporate and community partners are being invited to sponsor mural sites and join in shaping how the city is represented on the global stage.
Key takeaways from the event included:
- Murals as storytelling: SCAD artists will transform blank spaces into vibrant narratives of Atlanta’s history, energy, and future.
- Corporate sponsorships: Businesses and community leaders are invited to fund sites, creating a lasting cultural legacy.
- Global impact: With the FIFA World Cup approaching, Atlanta is positioning itself as both the cradle of Civil Rights and the cradle of culture and innovation.
“When we welcome the world to Atlanta next year, visitors will find a city that honors its past while embracing its future—using art to tell the story of Atlanta,” Dickens said. “This is a group project, and we want everyone to be a part of it.”
As SCAD and the City call on partners to invest in this initiative, the murals promise to serve as both a cultural showcase and a symbol of Atlanta’s unity. The collaboration reinforces that moving Atlanta forward is not just about infrastructure, but also about creativity, partnership, and the stories that define the city.
