Arts * Community * Activism Alternate ROOTS was founded in 1976 by a group of Southeastern performing artists who were creating original community-based work. The founding members believed that although the South's creative artists are one of our region's greatest strengths, the lack of services for small professional companies and individual artists was limiting the growth and development of community-based art. Today, ROOTS' programs and services address 3 major goals: 1) Promote communication, networking, and the sharing of information and resources by artists and presenters with limited financial resources and working in geographic or artistic isolation; 2) Nurture artistic development, supporting the creation and development of new work. 3) Encourage communities and artists to engage in mutual efforts, enabling artists and their community partners to create long-term, sustainable and deep relationships.