ATLANTA, December 8, 2015 — The Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) today announced the recipients of its new Vibrant Communities grant. Ninety-three entities received more than $300,055.00 in funding.

Earlier this year, the Georgia Legislature allocated funds to Georgia Council for the Arts to increase the reach of arts grants across the state. This grant was available to organizations in counties who did not receive an FY16 Project or Partner Grant. GCA received 109 applications requesting $353,766 from 65 counties across the state. Applicants included libraries, schools, arts centers, cities, historical societies, community theatres, Boys & Girls Clubs, etc.

“We believe that all communities in Georgia have great art, inspired artists and visions for the way in which local art can bolster community and economic development” said GCA executive director Karen Paty. “GCA is grateful to all of those in state leadership that enabled us to increase the breadth and reach of our funding to support the incredible work happening is communities throughout the state.”

Georgia Council for the Arts uses Peer Review Panels to adjudicate applications following National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) precedent. Peer Review Panels include GCA Council members; fellow professionals who are experienced in the arts discipline or type of grant being reviewed; or are Georgia citizens with a record of arts activities, experience, and knowledge.

Click here to view the list of FY16 Vibrant Communities grant recipients.

About Georgia Council of Arts
Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) is a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development whose mission is to cultivate the growth of vibrant, thriving Georgia communities through the arts.  GCA provides grant funding, programs and services statewide that support the vital arts industry, preserve the state’s cultural heritage, increase tourism and nurture strong communities.  Funding for Georgia Council for the Arts is provided by appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts. www.gaarts.org

About GDEcD

The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state’s sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, align workforce education and training with in-demand jobs, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a destination for arts and location for film, music and digital entertainment projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development. www.georgia.org

 

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CONTACT:

Emily Murray
Georgia Department of Economic Development
404-962-4078
emurray@georgia.org