Local art groups get $900,000 in grants,

66 arts groups will receive funding. Council for Arts increased average amount of grants.

The Georgia Council for the Arts, a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, has announced nearly $900,000 in grants to 66 arts and cultural organizations across the state, including more than three dozen in Atlanta.

Karen Paty, the council’s director, said it cut the number of recipients this year but boosted the average amount of the grants. For example, grants this year used to fund a specific project are worth $5,000 Paty said. Last year, the project grants were worth $2,500.

The money comes from the Georgia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.

True Colors Theatre Company in Atlanta, one of many arts organizations helped this year, got a $15,000 grant, which will go toward operating costs, said Managing Director Jennifer Dwyer McEwen.

“It’s a great investment from the state and we ap- preciate it,” she said.

Recipients include theaters, dance companies, museums, literary organizations, libraries, cities, schools, colleges and multidiscipline arts entities.

“This year’s grant cycle was exceptionally competitive, and the funded organizations provide some of the most outstanding programming and services in the state,” Paty said.

She said grants were based on criteria such as community impact, artistic excellence and organizational stability.

Besides True Colors, among metro Atlanta organizations that received grants are Arts Clayton ($18,640), Atlanta Ballet ($10,000), At- lanta Celebrates Photography ($25,000), Atlanta Shakespeare Company ($34,760), Aurora Theatre ($25,000), Ballethnic Dance Company ($10,000).

Also, the Callanwolde Foundation ($10,000), Clarkston Community Center ($10,000), Cultural Arts Council of Douglasville/ Douglas County ($15,000), Deep Center ($29,760), Flux Projects ($10,000), Georgia State University/ Rialto Center for the Arts ($15,000), Georgia Symphony Orchestra ($25,000), gloATL ($25,000), Horizon Theatre Company ($25,000), the Robert Woodruff Arts Center ($40,000) and Joel Chandler Harris Association/The Wren’s Nest ($18,640).

Also, Moving in the Spirit ($34,760), Out on Film ($10,000), Several Dancers Core ($10,000), the Michael O’Neal Singers ($10,000), Theatrical Outfit ($15,000), VSA Arts of Georgia ($20,000) and Youth Ensemble of Atlanta ($33,640).

Project grants went to Atlanta Chinese Dance Company ($5,000), Atlanta Freedom Marching Band ($5,000), Atlanta Landmarks, Fox Theatre ($5,000), BURNAWAY ($5,000), C4 Atlanta ($5,000), Clayton State University/Spivey Hall ($8,000), Friends of Calhoun’s GEM Theatre ($5,000), JapanFest ($5,000) and Youth Ensemble Atlanta ($33,640).