Aabaha Awarded ‘Project Grant’ from Georgia Council for the Arts
ATLANTA – July 10, 2024 —
Aabaha, founded in 2019 by a collective of theater enthusiasts based in the Greater Metro Atlanta has been awarded a Project Grant from Georgia Council for the Arts, a strategic arm of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, for fiscal year 2025.
“The GCA grant is a wonderful recognition for us and gives us the opportunity to make our dreams into reality. We started this theater and art festival in hopes to connect the stories brought forward through its theater and art from the Indian subcontinent community to a much larger and widespread mainstream audience. At the same time, we also wanted to bring to Atlanta the diverse work in this field that is happening throughout the United States of America. And hence this year we have four local Metro Atlanta Theatre groups and three out of state Theater groups from Chicago, Boston, and Philadelphia performing together during this festival. We believe that only through sharing our stories we can create shared experiences that bind us together,” says Kallol Nandi, Founder and Director of Aabaha.
Aabaha is hosting Aabaha Art and Theater Festival 2024 (AATF 2024) on August 10 & 11 at Eagle Theatre, Sugar Hill. Theater groups participating this year are Aabaha, Atlanta Theater Workshop, Abhinayam, Dhoop Chaoon from Metro-Atlanta area and Chicago Natyagosthi, Enad ( Boston), Kushilob (Philadelphia).
The GCA Project Grant helps fund single art projects like art exhibits, theater productions, a series of children’s workshops, an artist residency, or may be used for capacity-building projects, such as developing a strategic plan or providing professional development. As part of this year’s Project awards, 45 entities in 19 counties will receive more than $350,000 in funding.
“Arts funding improves quality of life, and Georgia Council for the Arts is excited to help our arts communities fund projects that help solve community challenges, bring people together, and support small businesses,” said Georgia Council for the Arts Director Tina Lilly. “Our arts communities continue to foster economic and cultural vitality, and we are grateful to the Georgia General Assembly for providing this support.”
Aabaha Art and Theater Festival 2024 is an immersive cultural experience that aims to showcase the diversity and richness of the Indian Subcontinent’s theater. Bringing together renowned theater groups across the United States, the festival promises a two-day extravaganza of captivating performances, interactive sessions, and cultural celebration. The event culminates in a Seminar and Panel Discussion, fostering a greater understanding and appreciation for the diverse heritage of the Indian Subcontinent.
Furthermore, the festival extends its cultural celebration by showcasing a captivating array of paintings and crafts created by local artists. Attendees, including participants, delight in the art show alongside the theatrical performances. The exhibition hall transforms into a dynamic space for engaging discussions and networking. This harmonious blend of visual arts and theater enhances the overall festival experience, fostering a shared appreciation for creativity and culture.
AATF embarked on this project with a multifaceted purpose aimed at enriching the community we serve. Besides entertaining the audience, the festival serves as a captivating event where communities of theater enthusiasts converge to network, interact, and engage in a rich tapestry of multilingual and multicultural experiences. It stands as a dynamic platform for fostering awareness about the heritage of the Indian Subcontinent and its unique culture. The festival is a visionary endeavor to break down contrived barriers between communities, celebrating the beauty found in both similarities and differences.
Georgia Council for the Arts received applications from nonprofit organizations, government entities, public libraries, schools, and colleges and universities. Projects may be one-time events, such as a festival or exhibit, or a series of events, such as a roster of classes or a series of productions.
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 (GCA) uses Peer Review Panels to judge and review applications following standard practices set by the National Endowment for the Arts. 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.
###
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. Visit gaarts.org for more information.
About GDEcD
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state’s sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a location for arts, film, and digital entertainment projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development. Visit georgia.org for more information.
