Georgia Council for the Arts awards funding to 85 entities through Vibrant Communities grant

ATLANTA, Oct. 19, 2016 — The Georgia Department of Economic Development's Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) today announced the recipients of the Vibrant Communities grant. Eighty-five entities received more than $297,963 in funding.

GCA received 112 applications requesting $394,961 from 69 counties across the state. Applicants included libraries, schools, arts centers, cities, historical societies, community theatres, Boys & Girls Clubs, etc. The Vibrant Communities Grant was made available to organizations in counties that did not receive an FY17 Project or Partner Grant.

'Georgia's communities are filled with great art, inspired artists and bold visions for the ways in which local art can bolster economic development efforts in our communities,' said GCA executive director Karen Paty. 'GCA recognizes that a thriving arts community contributes immeasurably to economic and social vitality, and the Vibrant Communities grant is one of the ways in which we support the incredible work happening in our communities.'

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 FY17 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