ATLANTA – July 14, 2025 — Savannah Rep was awarded a General Operating Support Grant from Georgia
Council for the Arts, a strategic arm of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, for fiscal year
2026. The grant provides funding for operating support to nonprofit arts organizations. As part of this
year’s General Operating Support awards, 104 entities in 27 counties will receive more than $1 million in
funding.
“Georgia’s nonprofit arts organizations are bringing quality arts and cultural events to their communities,
fostering economic vitality and providing opportunities for young people,” said Georgia Council for the
Arts Director Tina Lilly. “This grant funding will allow these organizations to focus on their primary
mission by relieving some of the burden of operating expenses, and we are grateful to the Georgia
General Assembly for providing this support.”
Georgia Council for the Arts received applications from arts organizations from across the state, including
performing arts centers, museums, galleries, amphitheaters, and music festivals. General Operating
Support Grants are available to arts organizations for eligible operating expenses like rent, utilities,
programming expenses, and marketing.
“This support from Georgia Council for the Arts makes it possible for us to continue creating meaningful
theatre with and for our community,” said Natasha Drena, Producing Artistic Director of Savannah
Repertory Theatre. “It allows us to rent local venues like the Vintage Special Event Center for our
upcoming season, beginning with Tiny Beautiful Things in October, and in doing so, uplifts not only our
work but the work of fellow small business owners. This kind of investment helps build a more
connected, creative, and resilient Savannah.”
Funding for these grants is provided through appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly and
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. 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.