Albany Civil Rights Institute is thrilled to announce it has received a Vibrant Communities Grant from the Georgia Council for the Arts. These funds will support the Lift Every Voice program that presents combined choirs from local public and private schools in concert in celebration of Black History Month each February.

“We are proud to once again be able to award the Vibrant Communities Grant to 78 entities in 52 counties across the state,” said Georgia Council for the Arts Executive Director Karen Paty. “This grant program seeks to advance art projects that support non-profit organizations, government entities, colleges/universities, libraries and schools in their efforts to present cultural opportunities and arts experiences in their communities.”

The Georgia Council for the Arts awarded 78 entities in 52 counties nearly $300,000 in funding. GCA received 100 applications from libraries, schools, arts centers, cities, historical societies, community theatres, Boys & Girls Clubs and more.

ACRI Executive Director, W. Frank Wilson stated that the Lift Every Voice and Sing program has grown over the past five years and the students as well as the directors look forward to this event each year.

Following the National Endowment for the Arts precedent, the Georgia Council for the Arts used Peer Review Panels to adjudicate applications. These panels included fellow professionals who are experienced in the arts discipline or type of grant being reviewed; or are Georgia citizens with a record of involvement in arts activities, experience, and knowledge.