Pickens Arts & Cultural Alliance awarded ‘Vibrant Communities’ grant from Georgia Council for the Arts
Pickens Arts & Cultural Alliance (PACA) was awarded a Vibrant Communities Grant from Georgia Council for the Arts, the Georgia Department of Economic Development team specialized in empowering arts and culture, for fiscal year 2026.
PACA will utilize the grant to bring paper and textile marbling workshops to children at no cost, as well as discounted workshops to adults. The project will celebrate Pickens County’s marble heritage as the Marble Capital of Georgia and will utilize a professional marbling artist.
The Vibrant Communities Grant supports a variety of arts programming throughout the state, including murals, artist residencies and performances in schools, community theater productions, festivals, and concerts.
As part of this year’s Vibrant Communities awards, 55 entities in 41 counties will receive $230,000 in funding.
“Georgia Council for the Arts is excited to support arts programming across the state that expands educational opportunities for students, attracts tourists who support small businesses, and cultivates vibrant communities,” said Georgia Council for the Arts Executive Director Tina Lilly. “These grants are vital in areas of the state that do not have local arts organizations, and help communities harness the long-term benefits of the arts and improve quality of life for residents.”
Georgia Council for the Arts received applications from schools, libraries, cities, historical societies, community theaters, Boys & Girls Clubs, and arts and other related organizations.
In an effort to support projects across the state, Vibrant Communities Grants were awarded to entities in counties in which no organization had already received Georgia Council for the Arts funding for the fiscal year 2026 grants cycle.
“Pickens Arts & Cultural Alliance is deeply grateful to the Georgia Council for the Arts for supporting this project,” said PACA President Angela Reinhardt. “We’re especially excited to be able to offer these workshops to children at no charge, and to adults for a discounted rate. The project connects directly to our community’s marble heritage, which we will highlight at each session. By exploring the craft of paper and fabric marbling with a professional marbling artist, participants will be able to celebrate Pickens County history in a unique way.”
PACA will make announcements about workshop dates, which will take place in the first quarter of 2026. PACA is partnering with several local organizations, including the Boys & Girls Club, Pickens High School, and the Pickens County Library, to bring these classes to children in the community.
Funding for these grants is provided through appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly.
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. It is Georgia’s lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, and locating new markets for Georgia products. As the state’s official destination marketing organization, it drives traveler visitation and promotes the state as a location for film and digital entertainment projects. GDEcD is responsible for planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development, fostering innovation and the arts to drive opportunity from the mountains to the coast. Visit georgia.org for more information.
