City of Swainsboro awarded ‘Cultural Facilities’ Grant from Georgia Council for the Arts

The City of Swainsboro was awarded a Cultural Facilities Grant from the Georgia Council for the Arts, the Georgia Department of Economic Development team specialized in supporting arts and culture, for fiscal year 2025. The Cultural Facilities Grant supports the acquisition, construction, restoration, or renovation of a building to be used for arts programming.

As part of this year’s Cultural Facilities Grant awards, 24 entities in 18 counties will receive $1.2 million in funding.

“Arts funding is more vital now than ever, and these grant funds will allow Georgia arts organizations to focus on bringing meaningful arts experiences and cultural events to their communities by improving their facilities,” said Georgia Council for the Arts Executive Director Tina Lilly. “Georgia Council for the Arts is pleased to provide this support to our nonprofit arts organizations, which ensures they can continue to foster economic and cultural vitality.”

Georgia Council for the Arts received applications from arts organizations from across the state, including performing arts centers, museums, galleries, amphitheaters, and arts classroom spaces. Cultural Facilities Grants are available to arts organizations for repairing, preserving, or acquiring an arts facility, or for purchasing equipment.

“The City of Swainsboro was excited to be named one of the recipients of the Fiscal Year 2025 Cultural Facilities Grant from Georgia Council for the Arts. Funds from this grant will be used to install stage curtains, video, audio and lighting systems throughout the Barbara & Tobe Karrh Community Arts Center. With the support of the Georgia Council for the Arts, the Fox Theatre Institute, and local resources, the City of Swainsboro can continue to move the project towards completion. We anticipate having a grand opening in mid-2025,” said Downtown Development Director Melissa Kirby.

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Funding for these grants is provided through appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly and the American Rescue Plan (ARP).

Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) uses Peer Review Panels to judge and review applications following standard practices set by the National Endowment for the Arts. Panelists are GCA Council members and fellow professionals who are experienced in the arts discipline or type of grant being reviewed, or are citizens with a record of arts activities, experience, and knowledge.

About Georgia Council for the Arts

Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) empowers the arts industry in Georgia and artists around the state to cultivate healthy, vibrant communities that are rich in civic participation, cultural experiences, and economic prosperity. As part of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Georgia Council for the Arts provides grant funding, programs, and services statewide that support this vital industry, preserve Georgia’s cultural heritage, and create increased access to meaningful arts experiences. Visit gaarts.org for more information.

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, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a location for arts, film, and digital entertainment projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development. Visit georgia.org for more information.