Four organizations in Liberty, McIntosh and Bulloch counties are among the recipients of Georgia Council for the Arts’ FY2027 Vibrant Communities grants, part of a statewide award round totaling more than $600,000. The council announced the awards Friday, Nov. 6.
The full round includes 80 entities in 65 Georgia counties receiving grants through the Vibrant Communities and Cultural Facilities programs. In the three counties, the listed recipients are Another Chance Outreach Ministries, Inc. and Hinesville Area Arts Council in Liberty County, Darien-McIntosh County Chamber in McIntosh County, and Downtown Statesboro Development Authority in Bulloch County.
The recipient list also names Screven County School System and Youth Forward Initiative in Jeff Davis County. The grants went to nonprofit organizations, libraries, schools, colleges and local governments.
What the grants support
Vibrant Communities grants fund arts programming, including murals, performances in schools, community theater and festivals. Cultural Facilities grants can support construction or improvements to buildings used for arts programming, as well as equipment purchases.
The council said Vibrant Communities awards went to entities in counties where no organization had already received Georgia Council for the Arts funding in the FY2027 grant cycle. The programs are funded through appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly.
Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson said the awards are intended to support arts programming and preserve cultural heritage and historic venues, including in rural communities. Council Executive Director Tina Lilly said Vibrant Communities grants can help cities use the arts to attract tourism, offer educational programs to students and improve downtowns; Cultural Facilities grants support capital projects for arts venues.
The council said information about its next grant cycle will be available in December.
Yolonda Harris
News Now Georgia
