Two Athens-area organizations are receiving grant money from the state. The Georgia Council for the Arts, which is under the Georgia Department of Economic Development, awarding grants to the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation Nuci’s Space in Athens.
Representatives Marcus Wiedower and Houston Gaines making the announcements.
“I’d certainly like to extend my sincerest thanks to GCA for its commitment to these organizations as well as other art programs around the state and I look forward to doing all that I can to continue to support these great organizations,” Gaines said.
OCAF received a $4,000 Vibrant Communities Grant. Those funds range from 1 to 5 thousand dollars and are to be used support a single art project.
Nuçi's Space, which focuses on musicians and works to prevent suicide, received more than $21,000 in funds from a Cultural Facilities Grant. The grant, which ranges from $10,000 to $75,000, was recently established buildings and equipment to support arts programs.
Gaines says these organizations make essential contributions to the community.
“You know Athens is recognized nationally as an incubator for bright, young artists and musicians and every year, thousands of Georgians travel to this region for its artists’ festivals and exhibitions. You know there’s no doubt that our communities would not be nearly as vibrant without the outpouring of support that we’ve seen from organizations like OCAF and Nuçi's Space.”
There were 133 applications for the grants from arts organizations, schools, libraries, cities, historical societies, community theaters, Boys & Girls Clubs and more.
The GCA awarded more than $570,000 in grant funds to 79 entities in 58 Georgia counties.
The Cultural facilities grant supports the construction renovation or acquisition of a building for arts programs to the addition of equipment to support arts programs. Grant requests are between $10,000 and $75,000 dollars.
Vibrant Communities Grants support single art projects such as an art exhibit, a theatre production, a series of workshops for children, or an artist residency. Amounts range between $1,000 and $4,000.
