State Representative Eddie Lumsden (R-Armuchee), chairman of the House Insurance Committee, has expressed his support for the General Operating Support Grant funding awarded to Paradise Garden Foundation Inc. in Chattooga County. The Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA), part of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, announced a $10,000 grant for this organization as part of its broader grant initiatives.
“I am grateful to the Georgia Council for the Arts for its continued support of art nonprofits in our communities,” said Rep. Lumsden. “It is critical that we uplift and spotlight art organizations here in Chattooga, which serve as a great resource for our citizens. Small towns in Georgia don’t always have the same access to resources for preserving local art and artists as larger cities do, and this grant helps us maintain and grow our art scene.”
The grant will provide operating support to 104 nonprofit arts organizations across Georgia. Recently, GCA announced over $1.3 million in competitive grant funding distributed to recipients in 49 counties statewide through various programs. These funds include appropriations from both the Georgia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts. A total of 177 grants were awarded during GCA’s initial disbursements for fiscal year 2026.
GCA aims to empower Georgia’s arts industry and artists to build vibrant communities rich in civic participation and cultural experiences while promoting economic prosperity. As a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, it provides grants, programs, and services supporting this industry.
