Georgia Council for the Arts awards funding to 84 entities through Vibrant Communities grant

ATLANTA, October 23, 2017 —The Georgia Department of Economic Development's Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) today announced the recipients of the Vibrant Communities grant. Eighty-four entities in 64 counties received $300,000 in funding. 'The Vibrant Communities grant supports incredible art programs that are happening in communities across Georgia,' said GCA executive director Karen Paty. 'This grant program is one of many ways that GCA works to support the meaningful work of artists and arts organizations throughout our state because a thriving arts community creates vitality, improves education and contributes in significant ways to local economic and community development.' GCA received 123 applications requesting more than $467,000. Applicants included libraries, schools, arts centers, cities, historical societies, community theatres, Boys & Girls Clubs, etc. The Vibrant Communities Grant is available to organizations in counties that did not receive a FY18 Project, Partner or Arts Education grant. Georgia Council for the Arts uses Peer Review Panels to adjudicate applications following National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) precedent. Peer Review Panels include 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 FY18 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