SPRINGFIELD — The Mars Theatre is thrilled announced it has received a Vibrant Communities Grant from the Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA). These funds will support the upcoming holiday performance, "It’s A Wonderful Life: LIVE from WVL Radio Theatre," taking place Dec. 15th at 7 p.m.
“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.
“We are honored to receive the Vibrant Communities Grant again this year”, theatre director Allison Newberry said. “It’s through grants like these that allow us to continue bringing in quality live entertainment. The theatre is attracting more and more people from outside of Effingham County to downtown Springfield and in order to keep this area growing, we need to be able to offer bigger and better shows.” Previous grant money received helped fund the Georgia State 4H show choir Clovers & Company earlier this year and the visual arts show "Artrageous" back in 2016.
"It’s A Wonderful Life: LIVE from WVL Radio Theatre" is a unique performance that the whole family will enjoy. This 1940s “live broadcast” of Frank Capra’s beloved film will take you back to the Golden Age of Radio. The four-member company masterfully conquers multiple characters & sound effects using just their voices and a sound effects table. “This will be a fun and neat twist on a classic Christmas movie that everyone knows," Newberry said.
Following the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) 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.
The Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) is a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development whose mission is to cultivate the growth of vibrant, thriving Georgia communities through the arts. GCA provides grant funding, programs and services statewide that support the vital arts industry, preserve the state’s cultural heritage, increase tourism and nurture strong communities. Funding for Georgia Council for the Arts is provided by appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.
For a list of FY19 Vibrant Communities grant recipients visit www.gaarts.org. For more information about upcoming shows at the Mars Theatre, visit www.marstheatre.com.
