Each year, the City of Augusta allocates funding to the Greater Augusta Arts Council (GAAC) to distribute to the non-profit arts community. City leaders recognize the importance of public financial support to sustain a wide variety of artistic disciplines and expressions. For fiscal year 2023, funds were re-allocated in increments to support general operating expenses or special projects. Local arts affiliated non-profit organizations that received funds were the Augusta Choral Society, Augusta Chorale of Georgia, Augusta Concert Band, Augusta Mini Theatre, Augusta Players, Augusta Symphony, Barefoot Productions/dba Creative Impressions, Colton Ballet, Gertrude Herbert Institute Of Art, Imperial Theatre, Jessye Norman School Of The Arts, Le Chat Noir, Morris Museum Of Art, Sacred Heart Cultural Center, Storyland Theatre, and Westobou Festival. 

The Augusta Choral Society is an auditioned volunteer community chorus located in Augusta. The chorus consists of singers ranging in age from teenagers to senior citizens. The Augusta Choral Society received $4,622.

The Augusta Chorale of Georgia presents diverse and challenging choral music and performs at schools, nursing homes, veteran’s hospitals, art festivals, and senior centers. The Augusta Chorale received $4,647.

The Augusta Concert Band purpose is to keep alive the American tradition of community bands by providing quality concert music for the Augusta Community. The Augusta Concert Band received $1,279.

Augusta Mini Theatre is the first community arts school to focus on multi-art disciplines, under one roof, giving special attention to the artistic needs of the area’s historically under served. Augusta Mini Theatre received $4,998.

The Augusta Players provides a medium for local actors, musicians, dancers, directors, designers, and technicians to explore their talents and sharpen their skills. It creates an artistic environment for diverse members of the community through the art of quality theatre. The Augusta Players received $5,337.

The Augusta Symphony prides itself on being a symphony for everyone.  With an emphasis on the beloved standards of the repertoire, as well as lesser-known gems and kid friendly favorites, there is something for all.  Together we are music. The Augusta Symphony received $5,333.

Creative Impressions is choral music ensemble that supports approximately fifty teenagers of diverse backgrounds with weekly training sessions that focus on excellence, youth development, and hard work. Creative Impressions received $4,814.

Colton Ballet Company provides professional quality dance performances for the community with a focus on community outreach in Richmond County Title One schools. Colton Ballet Company received $4,790.

The Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art is Augusta's only independent nonprofit visual arts school and contemporary art gallery. The Institute serves as a showcase for regional, national, and international artists. The Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art received $4,941.

The Imperial Community Theatre, Inc. preserves the historic Imperial Theatre and provides a classic venue for performing art groups, artists and audiences. Imperial Community Theatre received $3,523.

The Jessye Norman School of the Arts is an after school program designed to develop and nurture the artistic and creative talents of students.  Jessye Norman School of the Arts received $5,251.

Le Chat Noir is an intimate seat theatre that presents entertainment to the CSRA that was previously not being offered. Le Chat Noir received $5,088.

The Morris Museum of Art is the oldest museum in the country dedicated to the art and artists of the American South and the only art museum in the Central Savannah River Area. The Morris Museum of Art received $5,177.

Sacred Heart is home to various cultural activities including choral concerts, art exhibits, holiday events and the annual Garden Festival. Sacred Heart Cultural Center received $3,428.

Storyland Theatre’s main purpose is to present live quality theatrical productions, performed by adults, for children and families. Many students who attend the performances would never see a live play if they did not attend with their schools. Storyland Theatre received $3,593.

Westobou Festival is a non-profit arts organization dedicated to enriching the cultural fabric of Augusta’s River Region. Westobou Festival received $4,892.

Funding through the FY23 Annual City Arts Grant Program enables arts organizations to provide programming and educational opportunities throughout Augusta- Richmond County, to promote Metro Augusta as a cultural destination, to build the capacity and stability of Augusta’s arts and cultural organizations, to enhance the economic development of the city through the arts, and to share arts programs and activities with underserved audiences.

The total in the arts fund was $71,710 for allocation to Augusta non-profit arts community.

Eligible arts organizations had to have a Richmond County address and be a legally designated non-profit for a minimum of 1 year.