ASIFA-South awarded ‘Arts Education Program Grant’ from Georgia Council for the Arts

Georgia Council for the Arts 

ATLANTA – July 14, 2025 — ASIFA-South 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 2026. 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, 28 entities in 15 counties will receive more than $122,000 in funding.

“These grant dollars are vital funding that contribute to a well-rounded education for our students and aid in the development of a problem-solving, creative workforce,” 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, and we are grateful to the Georgia General Assembly for providing this support.”

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.

ASIFA-South is deeply grateful to receive this grant this year, which will enable us to continue our mission of providing free, accessible workshops and programs to enrich the art community throughout Georgia. As a dedicated team of nonprofit volunteers, we collectively contributed over 2,000 hours last year to engage with the community.

This funding is essential to making our initiatives possible, including our public free screening for International Animation Day, our monthly mixer hosted at Kennesaw State University, and our biennial ASIFAC festival hosted at Georgia State Creative Media Industries Institute coming up next year. We rely entirely on donor and members' support to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to explore, enjoy, and learn about the art of animation.

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.