Brooks Co. Schools Celebrate New Performing Arts Center Opening

QUITMAN, Ga. (WALB) – Schools in Brooks County have officially opened their new performing arts center.

Investing in future generations, the new Brooks County Schools Performing Arts Center features state-of-the-art technology, over 500 seats and a full-size stage.

High school principal Chris Chastain said the project was a goal for the school district.

“As soon as they gave us the key, we were ready to use it,” said Chastain.

This project has been a long time coming. Although the pandemic has delayed supply chain issues, the doors have finally opened.

” It’s great. I had planned to use it the first week of school, wanted to meet all of our kids here and have our class reunions here. It just didn’t happen, but now it’s here, ”Chastain said.

Fine Arts Coordinator Janie Jones says art is needed by the community and providing the space to express it is crucial.

It is in any form – dance, music, theater or art.

“It’s so important that the fine arts are part of this community and we believe that the fine art is necessary, not optional with our students. And so we really tried to expand and improve our artistic programs. Brooks County has never had a facility like this, ”Jones said.

A space accessible to all.

Chastain said people have already reached out, interested in reserving the facility for different events.

“We actually have a movie company that moved to town. You know Georgia is one of the fastest growing industries for theater and film and all that, so being able to provide this opportunity for students is great and being able to have the community here, ”said Chastain.

The performing arts center adjoins the high school.

This was a $ 4.5 million investment, made possible through E-SPLOST, or sales tax on local special-use options for education.

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