Georgia Council for the Arts Grants Power and Preserve Community Creativity

Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) fosters creativity and builds thriving communities through grants to arts organizations and other nonprofit entities across the state. These funds are making a difference where it matters most – helping communities preserve historic venues, expanding arts education programming, and sustaining the cultural experiences that inspire and connect us.

Learn how four recent grantees are using this support to repair spaces, protect heritage, and bring new opportunities to their communities.

“Music is Good Medicine”
The City of Chickamauga will use its Vibrant Communities grant to partner with Freedom Sings USA, a nonprofit that provides music arts therapy for veterans, military personnel, and their families, culminating in a music event next spring. 

How it works: During songwriting workshops, a songwriter encourages participants turn their experience into a song, helping them improve their emotional balance through the creative process. 

• Participants then become mentors who help support new veterans when writing their songs.
• Previous partnerships between the city and Freedom Sings included a two-day retreat and a performance at the city’s “Music at the Mansion” event. 

The review: Chickamauga commended Freedom Sings USA “not only because of the amazing work they do, but because they provide a unique and viable treatment option, using creative and integrative therapies to help individuals recover from the stress of war and improve the quality of their lives.” 

“No More Carpet Walls!” 
The LaGrange Art Museum is celebrating a Cultural Facilities Grant that will allow them to replace 35-year-old, outdated, and deteriorating carpet-covered walls with fresh drywall and plywood that will facilitate easy artwork installation. 

• The textile-covered walls are 35 years old – but this isn’t the type of history anyone is looking to preserve! 

The review: “This is a significant milestone for our organization to receive such high-level support from the State of Georgia,” said Museum Director Lauren Oliver. “I’ve envisioned removing the carpet from the walls for 15 years – this is truly a dream come true. This transformation will revitalize the museum, honoring its rich history while preparing it for a vibrant future.”  
 

Preserving a historic Colquitt County venue
The Arts Center of Moultrie will make modern updates to its nearly century-old building, which sits on the National Register of Historic Places and is a creative and cultural resource for the community.

• The Arts Center will use its Cultural Facilities Grant to replace all external doors with new secure and energy-efficient doors, add an electronic access control system to the facility, and expand Wi-Fi coverage throughout the building.
• Matching funds for this grant will come from the Arts Council Foundation and the Arts Center’s Centennial Capital Campaign. 

The picture: “We are so appreciative of the assistance from Georgia Council for the Arts to help improve and secure our 96-year-old building,” said Arts Center Executive Director Joy Yost. 

Stay tuned: The Arts Center has been chosen as one of 10 locations around the state to host GCA’s upcoming state art collection tour beginning in January 2025. From June 30-August 8, 2025, visitors to The Arts Center will experience a unique exhibition of select works from the Georgia State Art Collection and local artists, as well as workshops and activities that will bring the community together. 

The Hidden Bees of LaFayette
A Vibrant Communities grant will help fund The Hidden Bees of LaFayette, a public art initiative celebrating LaFayette’s annual Honeybee Festival, which has become a symbol of the community’s revitalization and draws more than 50,000 visitors each year.

• The project will feature 10 unique cast metal bee sculptures, each hidden in downtown LaFayette to encourage exploration and engagement, offering a new way for both residents and visitors to experience the city’s charm.
• More on the story: Each bee sculpture will be named in honor of a local woman who has significantly impacted the community, with an online “Hidden Bee” webpage sharing each honoree’s contributions. 

The buzz: “Our community is honored to receive this grant, which allows us to uniquely incorporate art into the downtown spaces of LaFayette,” said Julie Carter, chair of the LaFayette Downtown Development Authority. “The Hidden Bees project celebrates the incredible women who have helped shape our city, while fostering community connection through art. We’re thrilled to bring this interactive experience to both locals and visitors.”

Read more: See the full list of the fiscal year 2025 Vibrant Communities and Cultural Facilities grant recipients here, and learn more about how GCA supports Georgia’s vital arts and culture industry at gaarts.org.