Five Athens-based arts organizations were winners of grants from the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Georgia Council for the Arts.

The winners are AthFest, ATHICA, the Athens Folk Music and Dance Society, Georgia Museum of Art and the University of Georgia Performing Arts Program.

Each organization received a varied amount for its programs.

The Partner, Project, Arts Education and literary arts and traditional arts grants funding gave more than $1 million to 100 organizations in Georgia for the 2018 fiscal year.

The Partner Grant, which provides money for operating support, was awarded to 53 organizations across the state. That grant also provides money to support arts projects, which was awarded to 35 organizations.

Also, 23 organizations received the Arts Education Program Grant, two received Literary Art Programs funding and one was awarded funding for Traditional Arts Programs.

A total of 114 grants were awarded.

Funds awarded by Georgia Council for the Arts include appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.

“With each application cycle GCA staff are inspired by the extraordinary work being done by arts organizations across Georgia,” said Karen Paty, executive director of Georgia Council for the Arts. “The artistic programs delivered in every region of our state have a meaningful impact on participants, communities and the economy. While we are unable to fund each deserving applicant, we are proud to support 100 organizations through this grant cycle. Their work in the arts strengthen local communities and the overall vitality of our state.”

Georgia Council for the Arts uses Peer Review Panels to adjudicate applications following National Endowment for the Arts precedent.

To find out more about Georgia Council for the Arts’ annual grant programs, please visit GAarts.org.