Past Events

Night of Ideas 2023

More Justice! Defending Rights, Realizing Dreams

Click here to visit the Night of Ideas 2023 website.

Villa Albertine, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs were thrilled to present Night of Ideas Atlanta 2023, More Justice! Defending Rights, Realizing Dreams, on March 4, 2023 from 7pm to midnight.

In the spirit of the 60th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, Night of Ideas Atlanta 2023 explored how the historical concept of rights open the present to new political, cultural, and ethical possibilities which echo Dr. King’s dream. This event mobilized academia, political activism, journalism, civil society, and the arts to inform and inspire one another to face the challenges of the present and the future. The event featured a collection of talks, conversations, performances, and exhibits from the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. It took place simultaneously in four spaces: the Glenn Room, the Main Lobby, March on Washington, and Shared Accomplishments.

Participants included CEO of The King Center and global thought leader Dr. Bernice A. King, philosopher Felwine Sarr, artist Sheila Pree Bright, CEO of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights Jill Savitt, Professor Beverly Guy-Sheftall of Spelman College, activist Terence Lester, human rights attorney Julie F. Kay, French activist organization ACLEFEU, and freestyle rap collective Soul Food Cypher.

Night of Ideas 2022

Where are we going?

Click here to visit the Night of Ideas 2022 website.

The first-ever, in-person Night of Ideas in Atlanta invited intellectuals, artists, entrepreneurs, and the Atlanta public to embrace themes of city and culture, particularly in a moment of crisis and rebuilding. Where are we going?… As a city, as a society? How can we build a more democratic and inclusive city? What is the future of culture and the role of technology in our society? From 6pm to midnight, from a VR cinema experience to a participatory long table discussion, the very first in-person Night of Ideas in Atlanta offered a rich multidisciplinary program, combining debates, art installations, performances, screenings, and a DJ set. 

With the participation of Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, French video game studio Accidental Queens, Ryan Gravel, urban thinker and original visionary of the Atlanta Beltline, Anne Lafont, art historian, and many more. 

Free and open to the public.

Presented by: The City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs and Villa Albertine, at The Woodruff Arts Center.