More than 60 arts and cultural programs in 48 counties across the state have been awarded a total of $600,000 in funding. The Georgia Council for the Arts, working with the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), specializes in empowering arts and culture, especially in rural areas.
The Vibrant Communities Grant supports a variety of arts programming opportunities throughout the state, including murals, artist performances in schools, community theater productions, and festivals. The Cultural Facilities Grant supports capital improvements to or the construction of buildings to be used for arts programming, including historic theaters.
The RiverCenter for the Performing Arts was the only area recipient in the Cultural Facilities category. Vibrant Communities grants were awarded to the Pine Mountain Art Alliance and New Mountain Hill Elementary School, both in Harris County, Pasaquan Preservation Society, in Buena Vista, and the Unified Government of Georgetown-Quitman County.
“The Georgia Council for the Arts grants will deliver meaningful cultural experiences to Georgians,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson. “These investments will help communities enhance facilities and support diverse arts programming that make Georgia an even better place to live, work, and visit. The arts are central to education, community engagement, and economic growth, helping to attract talent, strengthen small businesses, and draw visitors to every corner of our state.”
Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) received applications for Vibrant Communities Grants from schools, libraries, museums, cities, historical societies, community theaters, dance companies, Boys & Girls Clubs, and multi-disciplinary arts and other related organizations. To support projects across the state, Vibrant Communities Grants were awarded to entities in counties in which no organization had already received GCA funding for the fiscal year 2026 grants cycle. Cultural Facilities Grants are available to arts organizations for repairing, preserving, renovating, constructing, or acquiring an arts facility, or for buying equipment.
Funding for these grants is provided through appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly. More information about the next grant cycle will be available in December on gaarts.org.
