ADAMA Awarded General Operating Support Grant from Georgia Council for the Arts
ATLANTA – July 8, 2026 — ADAMA has been awarded a General Operating Support Grant from the Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA), the Georgia Department of Economic Development team dedicated to empowering arts and culture, for fiscal year 2027.
The grant provides funding for operating support to nonprofit arts organizations across the state. As part of this year's General Operating Support awards, 90 organizations representing 25 counties will receive a combined $1.3 million in funding to strengthen Georgia's vibrant arts ecosystem.
"Through high-quality arts and cultural events, Georgia's nonprofit arts organizations foster economic vitality in their communities and provide opportunities for young people to grow and connect," said Georgia Council for the Arts Director Tina Lilly. "These grant funds will relieve some of the burden of operating expenses, allowing the recipients to focus on their primary mission. We are grateful to the Georgia General Assembly for providing this support."
Georgia Council for the Arts received applications from arts organizations across the state, including performing arts centers, museums, galleries, amphitheaters, and music festivals. General Operating Support Grants are available to arts organizations for eligible operating expenses such as rent, utilities, programming, and marketing.
For ADAMA, this funding will strengthen the organization's ability to continue creating transformative cultural experiences that celebrate the African Diaspora while expanding access to arts education, exhibitions, public programming, and community engagement initiatives throughout Atlanta. The grant will also help sustain the operational infrastructure needed to support ADAMA's growing slate of exhibitions, artist residencies, educational initiatives, and public events.
"This investment is an investment in our community," said Dr. Fahamu Pecou, Founder and Executive Director of ADAMA. "General operating support gives organizations like ADAMA the flexibility to do what is often the hardest work to fund—building sustainable infrastructure while creating meaningful cultural experiences. This grant allows us to continue amplifying African and Diasporic voices, support artists, deepen community partnerships, and ensure that more people have access to transformative experiences rooted in art, history, and culture."
Funding for these grants is provided through appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Georgia Council for the Arts uses Peer Review Panels to evaluate applications following standard practices established by the National Endowment for the Arts. Panelists include GCA Council members and arts professionals with expertise in the disciplines and grant categories being reviewed, as well as citizens with demonstrated experience and knowledge in the arts.
About ADAMA
ADAMA is a multidisciplinary arts and culture organization dedicated to celebrating, preserving, and advancing the creative legacy of Africa and the African Diaspora. Through groundbreaking exhibitions, public programs, educational initiatives, and artist-centered experiences, ADAMA creates spaces where art, culture, and community intersect to inspire dialogue, deepen understanding, and imagine new possibilities for the future.
About Georgia Council for the Arts
Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) empowers the arts industry in Georgia and artists around the state to cultivate healthy, vibrant communities that are rich in civic participation, cultural experiences, and economic prosperity. As part of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Georgia Council for the Arts provides grant funding, programs, and services statewide that support this vital industry, preserve our cultural heritage, and create increased access to meaningful arts experiences.
About the Georgia Department of Economic Development
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state's sales and marketing arm. It serves as Georgia's lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, and locating new markets for Georgia products. As the state's official destination marketing organization, GDEcD also promotes Georgia as a premier location for tourism, film, digital entertainment, and innovation while fostering economic opportunity across the state.