Empowering Athens' Youth: AthFest Educates Grants Fuel Music and Arts Initiatives

AthFest Educates, a dedicated nonprofit in Athens, Georgia, is making waves in the local community by supporting music and arts education. Through its annual fundraisers, the organization has just announced its latest round of grants, totaling ,738.41, to support a diverse array of programs, experiences, professional development opportunities, and essential equipment for K-12 educators and arts educators.

Investing in the Future of Athens' Creative Landscape

Nurturing Digital Artistry and Inclusive Experiences

The Nick & Erin Maulding Grant has been awarded to Karen Sweeney Gerow at the Clarke County School District (CCSD) Learning Center, the district's alternative school. This grant will enable the purchase of iPads and a large format printer, expanding the students' art education into the realm of digital creation and production. Additionally, the Athens Road Runners Grant has been awarded to Canopy Studio, funding Adaptive Physical Education Field Trips for CCSD Special Education Students. These field trips provide an adaptive approach, allowing students to explore the circus arts, including trapeze, slings, and more, fostering inclusive and enriching experiences.

Expanding 3D Arts and Elevating Performing Arts

The John & Patricia Whitehead Grant has been awarded to Amanda Price at Clarke Central High School, enabling the purchase of supplies to expand the 3D Arts program and introduce sculptural mold making and casting techniques. The Green Properties, Inc. Grant has been awarded to Rebecca Floyd at Cedar Shoals High School, allowing her to attend the American Strings Teachers Association 2025 National Conference, and to Madison Graham at Winterville Elementary School, funding a performance of the local act The PG Show at the school's "Lunch & Lawn" event.

Empowering Student Musicians and Thespians

The CandyVet Foundation Grant has been awarded to Aaron Price of Cedar Shoals High School, enabling the purchase of instruments and amplifiers for band formation. This will allow Advanced Guitar students to form their own bands and write and perform their own original musical compositions. The Athens Symphony Susan Dinwiddie Music Education Grant has been awarded to Sarah Waller-Price of Coile Middle School, allowing the band program to once again participate in Georgia's Large Group Performance Evaluation (LGPEs) through the purchase of additional instruments.

Fostering Creativity and Artistic Expression

Sadie Hammond of Barrow Elementary received a grant to purchase additional Orff instruments and a mobile rack, creating a full, mobile Orff ensemble. Sharon Tran at Fowler Drive Elementary was awarded funds to purchase ukulele instruments and accessories for her 4th and 5th grade music students. Sydney Prince of Oglethorpe Elementary was awarded funds to purchase risers for her choral students, providing a practical and effective space to rehearse. Leah Wooddall at Fowler Drive Elementary received funds to purchase digital cameras for her art students, enabling them to learn the principles of photography and begin creating photographic compositions.

Expanding Horizons through Workshops and Conferences

Rosemary Milsap at Cedar Shoals High School received funds to support theater students' attendance at the 2025 Georgia Thespian Conference, where they will attend performances and workshops to further hone their skills. Isabel Scarano at Bettye H. Holston Elementary was awarded a grant to fund a weeklong workshop for 4th grade students, featuring local author and illustrator Ruth Allen. The students will write, illustrate, and construct their own accordion-style story books.

Fostering Collaborative Initiatives and Community Engagement

HEART Music was awarded funds to provide supplemental instrument instruction to band students at Hillsman Middle School, with small group and one-on-one instruction provided by professional local musicians. Gayla Chambers at the Athens YWCO received a grant for 30 3rd grade girls to participate in a Puppetry Arts Program over the summer, including attending a performance at the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta. Broderick Flanagan of the Economic Justice Coalition was awarded funds for a mural project in the Pinewoods neighborhood, engaging 15 Latinx middle and high school students in conceptualization, design, and implementation of public art in the community. Dr. Christina Hanawalt at the UGA Lamar Dodd School of Art was awarded a grant for 20 middle school students to participate in a 10-week Contemporary Art Studio program in connection with the Lamar Dodd School of Art and Athenaeum, engaging with current exhibits, artists, and participating in art creation.

Expanding Access to Performing Arts Experiences

The UGA Performing Arts Center (PAC) was awarded a grant for 3,000 CCSD students to attend one of the PAC's Performances for Young People series, including the jaw-dropping acrobatic feats of Circa, the inspirational voices of Kingdom Choir, or the percussive rhythms of Step Afrika!.