Early in 2002, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce spearheaded the initiative that led to MAACC by creating a task force of 38 leaders from government, business, philanthropy, tourism and the arts. From the first days, the vision of the task force was in sharp focus: "To make the Atlanta region a premier center for the arts - and be recognized as such."

The group wasn't the first to set its sights on strengthening the arts in the metro area. From 1990 to 2001, no fewer than seven reports and studies were published on the need for a stronger link between the arts and business in metro Atlanta. And the Metro Chamber's Arts and Business Council had worked previously on behalf of the arts.

Now, the Atlanta Regional Arts Task Force sought to bring support, participation and recognition to a new level. An early task force presentation noted a defining statement of consensus among its members: "We need to think big, take risks and strive for quality."

With the help of the North Highland Company, the task force sought input from 450 key stakeholders and closely studied a number of U.S. cities deemed to have a strong arts and culture offering. The task force then put this knowledge to work. From May to November 2002, a series of work sessions led to an action plan that addressed the chief obstacles keeping Atlanta from realizing its dream for the arts. Most important, the task force recommended the creation of a coalition to build greater support and recognition for arts and culture.

In October 2003, the coalition - named the Atlanta Regional Arts and Culture Leadership Alliance - hired its first executive director, former WSB-TV political analyst Bill Nigut. Soon thereafter, the name was changed to the Metro Atlanta Arts and Culture Coalition, or MAACC. Funding came in the form of a $1.5 million grant from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation. Additionally, the City of Atlanta and five metro Atlanta counties - Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett - each matched the Woodruff grant with a two-year$100,000 investment. Pledging to the same in 2006, Henry County joined the coalition.