Historic Ritz Theatre Awarded ‘Project Grant’ from Georgia Council for the Arts

The Historic Ritz Theatre has been awarded an $8,000 Project Grant from Georgia Council for the Arts. This is the 8th year Toccoa has been awarded this grant, with matching funds provided through the City of Toccoa budget.

Tami Mayhugh, Ritz General Manager, stated, “The GCA Grant will help secure additional programming for our Season 8 Night at the Ritz Series. We are working on finalizing our lineup of shows and are excited to make an announcement soon. Our goal is to bring quality entertainment at an affordable price from numerous genres to our small town. The GCA Grant makes that possible. Our first show of Season 8 is Monday, September 16, with the Bachelors of Broadway.”

The Project Grant helps fund single art projects like art exhibits, theater productions, a series of children’s workshops, an artist residency, or may be used for capacity-building projects, such as developing a strategic plan or providing professional development. 

Georgia Council for the Arts received applications from nonprofit organizations, government entities, public libraries, schools, and colleges and universities. Projects may be one-time events, such as a festival or exhibit, or a series of events, such as a roster of classes or a series of productions. 

The Georgia Council for the Arts is an extension of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Funds awarded by Georgia Council for the Arts include appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Georgia Council for the Arts uses Peer Review Panels to judge and review applications, and 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.

Grant recipients include theaters, dance companies, museums, cities, colleges, and multi-discipline arts entities.

As part of this year’s Project awards, 45 entities in 19 counties will receive more than $350,000 in funding. A complete list of Fiscal Year 2023 grantees in these program areas can be viewed online at Georgia.org.