Grants from Georgia Council for the Arts Support Diverse Organizations
A nonprofit that supports community members with disabilities. An arts center that is a respite for artists seeking residencies and workshops. A garden picturesque display space for outdoor art projects.
What do all of these rural and urban Georgia organizations have in common? They were all recent recipients of funds that will help them continue the important work of promoting and supporting the arts in ways unique to their diverse communities. In fiscal year 2023, Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) awarded $4.7 million in grants to arts organizations and communities across the state.
With the support of these grants, Georgia's nonprofit arts and creativity strengthen communities, attract visitors, boost local businesses, and fuels our economy. In 2022 alone, Georgia's nonprofit arts and culture organizations delivered at least $1.27 billion in economic impact and supported nearly 20,000 Georgia jobs.
The diversity of Georgia's arts industry is reflected in GCA grant recipients. Located in every corner of the state, grantees include the Albany Symphony Orchestra in Dougherty County, the South Georgia Ballet in Thomas County, the Okefenokee Heritage Center in Ware County, and AthFest in Athens-Clarke County. Recipients included both arts and non-arts organizations: from theaters, dance companies and museums to schools, cities, colleges, and multi-discipline arts entities.
Bridge Grants were created to help organizations get back on their feet following the impacts of COIVD-19. In this round of awards, the Bridge Grant funding provided operating support to 134 organizations, including the Hambidge Center for the Creative Arts and Sciences in Rabun County. A multi-year grant recipient, the Center was also a previous recipient of a Governor’s Award for the Arts and Humanities, also sponsored by GCA.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Georgia Council for the Arts for this Bridge Grant. These funds will ensure that Hambidge remains a viable resource for artists by providing essential operating support as we continue to heal from COVID-19 challenges,” said Hambidge Development Director Kathryn Derryberry, in a 2021 release. “Our Board and staff look forward to emerging from the pandemic stronger and with more capacity to serve artists who are in desperate need for the respite that time at a residency provides.”
Another multiple-year grantee is The Columbus Museum, in Muscogee County. This educational and inspirational destination received $25,000 in support in fiscal year 2022 in the form of Bridge and Arts Education Program grants to enhance its work with local students who will soon become part of the local workforce. Arts and creativity in education set young people up for success by developing innovative and problem-solving skillsets. GCA awarded Arts Education Program Grants to 60 organizations.
“This grant is so important to the Columbus Museum because it helps us provide free field trips to students from Muscogee County and the surrounding areas,” said Director of Education and Engagement Lucy Kacir, in a statement in 2021. “The grant helps pay our gallery teacher and provides art supplies for studio activities so we can extend the gallery experience with hands-on art making experiences.”
Project Grants help fund one-time arts events or a series of events. The 56 organizations that received Project Grants in fiscal year 2023 include Chattahoochee Valley Libraries, which will be putting the funds toward the 2023 Columbus Children’s Book Festival; the Savannah VOICE Festival, which will use the funds on a songwriting project with Deep Center (another GCA grantee); and the Colquitt County Arts Center for its winter dance festival.
Smith-Gilbert Gardens in Kennesaw was awarded a Projects Grant to help grow its public art presence.
“We launched Art Blooms last year with a mission to provide emerging artists a new exhibit platform while raising awareness of the permanent works at Smith-Gilbert Gardens,” said Executive Director Ann Parsons, in a 2021 statement. "This Project Grant will help us grow Art Blooms through art education programs for local students, weekly art programs for visitors, and add a temporary exhibit with regional and national artists complementing our permanent collection.”
First-time grantee ConnectAbility Inc. out of Lumpkin County used their Project Grant funding for a photography project. The organization offers support to those affected by disability by providing programs for individuals with disabilities, their families, and the community.
The large variety of arts projects, events, organizations, and centers that exist across the state are vital for creating rich cultural experiences and generating jobs. These grants help support those organizations in their mission to cultivate vibrancy throughout communities, connecting artists and community members for shared artistic experiences.
These connections draw people, businesses, and art institutions into communities to create a lasting social and economic impact.
“The need for arts funding is greater than it has ever been, and these grants allow Georgia arts organizations to focus on their mission while benefitting local economies, creating vibrant communities where people want to live, and educating young Georgians to become an innovative, globally competitive workforce,” said Georgia Council for the Arts Executive Director Tina Lilly.
To learn more about the next round of grant opportunities, visit gaarts.org/what-we-do/grants/.
-Posted September 27, 2024