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MACON, July 16, 2015—The Otis Redding Foundation was awarded a $10,000 grant from Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) today as part of its Partner and Project grant funding for fiscal year 2016. A total of eighty – one organizations throughout the state were collectively awarded just over $795 thousand in funding for operating support (Partner Grant) or arts projects (Project Grant). Eleven organizations also received support for exceptional arts education programs.
“Each year GCA staff and grant review panelists are overwhelmed by the commitment to and execution of incredible artistry exhibited by our applicants, as well as the deep impact that the programs and services delivered by these organizations have in their local communities. This grant cycle was no different,” said GCA executive director Karen Paty. “We are proud to be able to support the work of organizations around the state that exemplify the role of the arts in community development, economic development and education.”
“This funding support couldn’t come at a better time for the Otis Redding Foundation,” said Karla Redding-Andrews, the Foundation’s executive director. “We are expanding our highly successful Otis Music Camp, and starting the Otis Redding Center for Creative Arts in 2016. With these funds, and generous contributions from sources like the Knight Foundation and community donors, we will be able to bring music and arts education to even more youth in our community. We are so grateful to know that the Georgia Council for the Arts believes in our mission of Progress through Education, Enlightenment through Music.
 “The Otis Music Camp’s emphasis on creativity and inspiration is something I think he would have been proud of, and it is the kind of program we will continue to foster through our Foundation, and expand into a fulltime Center.”
Funds awarded by Georgia Council for the Arts include appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Georgia Council for the Arts uses Peer Review Panels to adjudicate applications following National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) precedent. Panelists are GCA Council members and fellow professionals who are experienced in the arts discipline or type of grant being reviewed or are citizens with a record of arts activities, experience, and knowledge. Grant recipients include theaters, dance companies, museums, cities, colleges and multi-discipline arts entities. The full list of grantees for fiscal year 2016 can be found on gaarts.org.
About Georgia Council of Arts
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.
About the Georgia Department of Economic Development 
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) plans, manages and mobilizes state resources to attract new business investment to Georgia, drive the expansion of existing industry and small business, locate new markets for Georgia products, inspire tourists to visit Georgia and promote the state as a top destination for arts events and film, music and digital entertainment projects.
About the Otis Redding Foundation:
Otis Redding was dedicated to improving the quality of life for our community through the education and empowerment of its youth. Established in 2007 by Mrs. Zelma Redding in her husband’s honor, the Otis Redding Foundation, with its roots in music, has created educational awareness programs in the arts and humanities. These programs encourage individual and team participation, build self-esteem and instill discipline. To honor Otis’ dream, the Otis Redding Foundation provides opportunities for youth to improve their academic performance by helping them make choices in life that enrich rather than endanger. By providing programs that ignite dreams in our future generation of leaders, we remain dedicated to connecting the universal relevance of music to serve as a catalyst for education and other youth oriented initiatives.
The Otis Redding Foundation’s mission is to empower, enrich, and motivate all young people through programs involving music, writing and instrumentation. Each partnership and program sponsored since its inception in 2007 supports the philanthropic commitment of Otis Redding to empower and enlighten all young people to fulfill their dreams.