Thirteen Georgia cities have been selected to receive Vibrant Communities Grants from the Georgia Council for the Arts, a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). These grants, along with the Cultural Facilities Grant, are part of the Council’s fiscal year 2026 funding cycle, which supports arts programming and cultural development across the state. As part of this year’s awards, 62 entities in 48 counties will receive $600,000 in funding.
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 construction of buildings to be used for arts programming, including historic theaters.
“The Georgia Council for the Arts grants announced today 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 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. In an effort 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.
“Arts programming supported by Vibrant Communities Grants brings arts experiences to rural parts of the state that may not have a local arts organization, while Cultural Facilities Grants uplift arts facilities, often improving safety, and helping them become lasting hubs of connection and opportunity,” said Georgia Council for the Arts Executive Director Tina Lilly. “Georgia Council for the Arts is proud to provide this essential funding to help arts organizations achieve their goals and strengthen their communities. We are grateful to the Georgia General Assembly for the opportunity to provide this type of support.”
City Awards
Arlington DDA
Arlington Future, A Mural Project
$5000
Barnesville
Hoops & Hues: painting a mural on a basketball court
$5000
Blackshear Main Street/Better Hometown
Beats & Eats 8.0 – spring festival
$5000
Cornelia
Brushstrokes of Change: Public Art for Rural Revival
$5000
Grantville
Art Classes at the Library
$5000
Jesup
2026 Mural Project – Track Through Time
$5000
Jonesboro
Butterfly Grant- Public Art on Public Restroom Building
$2500
Jonesboro DDA
Footprints Through Time- mural project showing the history of Jonesboro
$5000
Lavonia
“I Love You to Lavonia and Back” Alley Mural
$5000
Riverdale
“Youth Art Engagement”- art workshops for local youth
$5000
Swainsboro
Mural Project
$5000
Thomaston
Thomaston Art & Soul Festival
$5000
Unified Government of Georgetown-Quitman County
Community Enrichment Project- summer library reading program and two festivals
$5000