The Otis Redding Foundation

06/01/2026

A message of excitement from our Executive Director, Karla Redding-Andrews, going into year #2 of OMC at ORCA! Stay tuned. 💙

05/31/2026

05/31/2026

A special thank you to Gretsch for supporting Otis Music Camp 2026 as a Sponsor.

From the drum kit used in our recording studio to instruments students interact with every day, Gretsch’s support helps provide young musicians with access to the tools they need to grow in their craft.

Having access to quality instruments can make all the difference in a young artist’s confidence and development, and we are grateful to Gretsch for helping us create an environment where young artists can thrive.

Thank you, Gretsch, for investing in the next generation of artists at ORCA!

05/30/2026

We are proud to recognize Mrs. G’s Foundation as a Sponsor for Otis Music Camp 2026 supporting the next generation of musicians.

Through their support, our students have access to a full-band practice room at ORCA - a space where entire ensembles can rehearse, collaborate, refine their sound for the stage and studio. Practice is the foundation of musical growth. Spaces like these give students the opportunity to build confidence, discipline, and excellence together.

We are also grateful for Mrs. G’s Foundation partnership with Georgia Southern University’s Gretsch School of Music, whose music education students will serve as coaches throughout camp this summer, helping mentor and guide our young artists along the way.

05/29/2026

BMI is more than a sponsor of Otis Music Camp 2026… they are a vital part of protecting the future of our young songwriters.

Through our partnership with BMI, every original song created by each student during camp is properly registered and protected, giving students an early understanding of music ownership, publishing, and the value of their creative work. These lessons extend far beyond the studio and empower our students with tools that support sustainable careers in music and beyond.

We are grateful to BMI for investing not only in this year’s camp, but in the voices and futures of the next generation of artists!

05/28/2026

We are honored to recognize Montgomery Center of Excellence as a sponsor of Otis Music Camp 2026.

At the heart of MCOE’s mission is a commitment to creating pathways to opportunity - a purpose that deeply aligns with the work we strive to do every day.

Their support helps provide young artists with meaningful creative experiences, mentorship, resources, and opportunities that extend beyond ORCA. By investing in programs like OMC, Montgomery Center of Excellence is helping empowering the next generation.

We are grateful for their partnership and shared belief in the power of investing in people and community.

05/22/2026

We were honored to receive a Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful Business Award at their Annual Awards Recognition Luncheon yesterday.

From the Otis Redding Museum at one end of Cotton Avenue to the Otis Redding Center for the Arts at the other, we are dedicated to bringing life, community, and beauty to our downtown spaces.

When developing the Center, part of our vision was to create more than just a building. We wanted to create a beautiful green space where our community could gather and where students could play, run, dance, create, and fully be themselves. Today, the Zelma Redding Amphitheater is exactly that.

We were also proud to establish a new home for the Otis Redding statue, sculpted by Bradley Cooley Sr. and Bradley Cooley Jr., at the amphitheater fountain. The statue is a meaningful landmark that celebrates Otis Redding while offering a place for visitors to gather and reflect in downtown Macon.

We’re grateful to Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful for this recognition of the Center and Otis Redding Museum and proud to continue investing in spaces that inspire creativity and keep the legacy alive!

05/20/2026

We’re honored to be selected as a 2026 Cox Charities Grant Recipient. 💙

Thanks to the support of Cox Communications employees, this funding will help the Otis Redding Foundation continue creating opportunities for young artists to grow in confidence, creativity, and purpose through music and the arts.

By funding our 3D Orchestra STEAM program, this support helps us empower students as they pursue their dreams.

We’re grateful for partners who believe in investing in the next generation of artists in our community!

05/20/2026

Veteran music journalist Tim Chester goes to the source of soul - Macon, Georgia. Meet the people keeping this city's legends alive, including Otis Redding's grandson and Otis Redding Center for the Arts Director of Global Initiatives, Justin Andrews.

Listen now from AFAR > https://open.spotify.com/episode/4P7GYJ6txIeyJm8T5Th9M7?si=0446e18512b0450b

Unpacked by Afar · Episode

05/14/2026

Just 3 DAYS LEFT to vote daily for Best of Middle Georgia! 💙

We’re honored to be nominated for:
• Best Service ➡️ Nonprofit Organization
• Best Education ➡️ Summer Camp

At our One-Year Anniversary celebration, ORCA Chief Audiovisual Engineer Reese Kitchens shared how blown away he’s been by the level of professionalism and talent from our students - something he expected, but not to this degree.

The future is bright at the Otis Redding Center for the Arts. Voting ends Friday at 5PM. Link in bio to vote!