Georgia Writers Museum (GWM) has been awarded a bridge grant for fiscal year 2025 from the Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA), a strategic arm of the Georgia Department of Economic Development.
The bridge grant provides funding for operating support to nonprofit arts organizations, many of which were negatively affected by COVID-19. As part of this year’s bridge awards, 204 entities in 44 counties statewide will receive more than $2.6 million in funding.
“These grant dollars will allow arts organizations in Georgia to focus on their primary mission to bring art and cultural events to their communities by relieving the burden of certain operating expenses,” GCA Director Tina Lilly said. “Georgia Council for the Arts is excited to help our arts organizations continue to foster economic and cultural vitality in their communities.”
GCA received applications from arts organizations from across the state, including performing arts centers, museums, galleries, amphitheaters, and music festivals. Bridge grants are available to arts organizations for eligible operating expenses like rent, utilities, programming expenses, and marketing.
“Grants such as this are critical to Georgia Writers Museum’s ability to provide the programs and services it does. As much, though, is the credibility and validation we get by receiving funds from organizations as prestigious as Georgia Council for the Arts,” GWM President Lou Benjamin said.
Funding for these grants is provided through appropriations from the National Endowment for the Arts and the American Rescue Plan (ARP). 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.