ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) and State Representative Tom McCall (R-Elberton) recently announced that the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta in Madison County and the Elbert Theatre Foundation were awarded grant funding for special art projects The Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta in Madison County received a Vibrant Communities Grant of more than $3,500, and the Elbert Theatre Foundation received a Cultural Facilities Grant of approximately $11,500.
“These two vital organizations offer immense support to many families in Madison and Elbert counties,” said Rep. McCall. “The citizens of Madison County, especially our youth, benefit tremendously from the resources provided by the local Boys & Girls Club, and the Elbert Threatre Foundation is constantly developing invaluable experiences for children and teens in Elbert County. It goes without saying that these funds will be put to good use and benefit so many citizens, and I am eager to see these future projects come to life.”
“The Vibrant Communities Grant, along with our new Cultural Facilities Grant, have allowed GCA to support some of the most impactful arts programming happening in communities of all sizes throughout the state,” said Karen Paty, executive director for GCA. “These grants invest not only in the cultural infrastructure, buildings, classrooms, theatres, museums, that support the creation of great programs, but also the downtowns, libraries, community centers and schools that invite Georgians to connect with one another and with meaningful arts experiences in their everyday lives.”
The Cultural Facilities Grant, which ranges from $10,000 to $75,000, was recently established to support the construction, renovation or acquisition of a building for arts programs, or the addition of equipment to support arts programs. The projects that were awarded the Cultural Facilities Grant must have project phases that take place from November 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020.
The Vibrant Communities Grant, which ranges from $1,000 to $5,000, supports single art projects such as an art exhibit, a theatre production, a series of workshops for children or an artist residency. Additionally, the Vibrant Communities Grant is available to organizations in counties that did not receive a Fiscal Year 2020 Project, Partner or Arts Education grant. This grant has a match requirement of 50 percent of the requested amount, and the awarded projects must take place from October, 2019 – June 30, 2020.
The GCA received a total of 133 applications for the Cultural Facilities Grant and the Vibrant Communities Grant from arts organizations, schools, libraries, cities, historical societies, community theatres, Boys & Girls Clubs and more. The GCA awarded more than $570,000 in grant funds to 79 entities in 58 Georgia counties.
Following a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) precedent, the Georgia Council for the Arts used Peer Review Panels to adjudicate applications. These panels included fellow professionals who are experienced in the arts discipline or type of grant being reviewed or are Georgia citizens with a record of involvement in arts activities, experience and knowledge.
The mission of GCA 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.
For more information on the Cultural Facilities Grant, please click here.
For more information on the Vibrant Communities Grant, please click here.
For more information on the Georgia Council for the Arts, please click here.
Representative Tom McCall represents the citizens of District 33, which includes Elbert and Lincoln counties and portions of Madison, Columbia and Wilkes counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1994 and currently serves as Chairman of the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee. He also serves on the Game, Fish & Parks, Natural Resources & Environment and Transportation committees.
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