Jul 9, 2024
Columbus Symphony Orchestra Awarded ‘Arts Education Program Grant’ from Georgia Council for the Arts
ATLANTA – July 10, 2024 — Columbus Symphony Orchestra (GA) was awarded an Arts Education Program Grant from Georgia Council for the Arts, a strategic arm of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, for fiscal year 2025. The Arts Education Program Grant supports arts programs for K-12 students, and helps fund programs from visual arts to music or theater, to dance and creative writing. As part of this year’s Arts Education Program awards, 75 entities in 22 counties will receive more than $540,000 in funding.
“These grant dollars are vital funding that will allow for the continued development of the creative workforce that employers in Georgia are seeking,” said Georgia Council for the Arts Director Tina Lilly. “Georgia Council for the Arts is excited to help our arts communities foster educational opportunities for young people that encourage self-confidence and problem solving, and we are grateful to the Georgia General Assembly for providing this support to improve quality of life across the state.”
Georgia Council for the Arts received applications from nonprofit organizations, government entities, public libraries, schools, and colleges and universities delivering arts programs to K-12 students. Arts education programs receiving funding include afterschool and summer arts programs, arts integration and STEAM programs, and teaching artist residencies.
CSO Executive Director Kern Wadkins comments, “We are so excited to receive this funding as it allows us to continue providing specialized music education and live music access to students across our community. We are hopeful that our Making Music Matters program will help develop the next generation of great Columbus-based artists and audiences.”
Funding for these grants is provided through appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.
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.
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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 our 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.
CSO Marketing
Marketing Manager
Columbus Symphony Orchestra
PO Box 1499
Columbus, GA 31902-1499
706-256-3647 | 706-323-7051 (fax)
Website: csoga.org