Interview with Jill Helme, November 12, 2015

Partial Transcript: Where did you grow up at?

Segment Synopsis: Helme talks about growing up in Fort Lauderdale and attending school there. She also discusses her travels and early career in education. Finally, she discusses the impact that teaching in Venezuela had on her decision to work with nonprofits.

Keywords: English education; UFL; UPENN; University of FL; University of Florida; University of Pennsylvania; low income community; low income education; nonprofit organization

Partial Transcript: What kind of brought you to Athens aside from the job

Segment Synopsis: Helme shares about traveling the country with her family to find the perfect job. She then discusses the transition to Athens life and community.

Keywords: Athens Botanical Gardens; Fort Yargo State Park; Philadelphia; UGA; University of Chicago; University of GA; University of Georgia

Partial Transcript: Well, because everybody's in it

Segment Synopsis: Helme talks about her passion for young people and her motivations to work as Executive Director of AthFest Educates. She then discusses her influence on AthFest Educates.

Keywords: Athens music scene; grant-making; music education; nonprofit budgeting; nonprofit development; youth development

Partial Transcript: Why do you think like music and the arts are so important?

Segment Synopsis: Helme describes the importance of music and the arts for younger generations. She also describes her future goals for AthFest Educates.

Keywords: Athens-Clarke County; art education scholarships; arts education grants; liberal arts; music education grants; music education scholarships; nonprofit growth; socioeconomic status

Partial Transcript: So you said fundraising is really important

Segment Synopsis: Helme explains the history and development of the AthHalf. She also describes the unique culture of fundraising that exist in Athens.

Keywords: AthHalf half marathon; Athfest Educates; event coordinating; nonprofit fundraising; nonprofit management

Partial Transcript: So, I’m kind of ignorant when it comes to the whole event coordinating.

Segment Synopsis: Helme discusses the process of planning events like AthFest. She talks about volunteers, the mission, and past difficulties.

Keywords: AthFest Educates; AthFest planning committee; AthHalf half marathon; band booking; city ordinances; state ordinances; street permits

Partial Transcript: So speaking of community, this is kind of jumping around

Segment Synopsis: Helme discusses the nonprofit's plan to create a local mural in honor of the twentieth anniversary of AthFest. Helme shares her hope to use the mural to promote the local art programs.

Keywords: AthFest 20th anniversary; AthFest Educates; Athens arts community; artists' market; grant-making; visual arts

Partial Transcript: With AthFest, do you hope to always keep it like entirely separate from the University?

Segment Synopsis: Helme talks about AthFest's relationship with UGA, including the role of UGA's music business program. Later, she discusses her vision of AthFest's future, including growth throughout the state.

Keywords: Athens local economy; Ghostmeat Records; Lyndon House; Nuci's Space; Russ Hallauer; Terry College of Business; University of GA; University of Georgia; compilation cd; independent rock

Partial Transcript: So the oral history is based on AthFest itself

Segment Synopsis: Helme reflects upon the experiences of attending AthFest 2014 and leading AthFest 2015 and beyond.

Keywords: AthFest Educates; Athens music scene; Athens street permits; KidsFest; Kishi Bashi; Of Montreal; city permits

Partial Transcript: Well, we were going to conclude with the future goals and hopes of AthFest

Segment Synopsis: Helme explains the challenges associated with growing AthFest. She shares her goal of raising the revenue of AthFest while keeping its cultural identity.

Keywords: AthFest Educates; Athens music festival; Athens music scene; downtown Athens; nonprofit growth; youth development