Explore Gwinnett, the destination marketing organization for Gwinnett County, Ga, is pleased to announce awarding more than $160,000 in project grants through the  2026 Gwinnett Creativity Fund (GCF). Funding was distributed to 25 organizations throughout the county, supporting a wide range of initiatives highlighting the diversity of Gwinnett’s creative community. This year, GCF received a record-high total of 25 grant applications, as well as nine (9) first time recipients.

“The Gwinnett Creativity Fund is about more than funding projects, it is about fueling connection, culture and opportunity across our community,” said Gwinnett County Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson. “This year’s recipients represent the very best of Gwinnett’s creative spirit, from storytelling and performance to festivals and youth engagement. When we invest in the arts, we invest in people, and that is how we continue building a stronger, more connected County.”

One of the aspects we were most excited about this year is our large number of first-time applicants,” said Lisa Anders, Explore Gwinnett’s chief operating officer, who leads the Gwinnett Creativity Fund. “Each year, we work hard to grow our potential new applicant pool, and some of our most interesting projects were seeded this year. Three projects – Rainbow Village, the Becoming Love Project and the Hudgens Center Creative Communities – will provide arts and arts education opportunities to a widely underrepresented audience, that of young adults aging out of foster care, as well as unhoused young adults.” These projects can serve as an impetus to gaining a footing in today’s work force as well,” notes Anders.

GCF’s 2026 Project Grant Cycle provided funding for 25 high-impact projects:

·       Annandale Village, "Annandale Acts Out!" *

·       Art in Motion, "Rainbow Village: It's Time to be Heard" *

·       Atlanta International Night Market, "AINM Presents Glow in the Park!"

·       Aurora Theatre, "In the Heights: A Journey Home"

·       Becoming Love, Youth Storytelling & Film Project *

·       Black Art, Culture & Education, Inc. (fka AACAF), African American Culture & Arts Festival

·       Fezziwig Foundation, Inc., "You Can't Take It With You"

·       Greater Atlanta Chapter SPEBSQSA, "Fall Show – 45th Anniversary Celebration"

·       Gwinnett Ballet Theatre, Inc., "Cinderella"

·       Hudgens Center, "Creative Communities: Connecting the Arts Across Gwinnett"

·       JapanFest, Inc., JapanFest 2026

·       Jazz Matters, Inc., Jazz, Blues & BBQ Summer Concert *

·       Live Arts Theatre, "POTUS"

·       Norcross Gallery & Studios, 2026 Photo Contest

·       Norcross Public Arts Commission, "Norcross AMPLIFIED!"

·       On the Stage Children's Theatre, Inc., "Summer of Unlikely Heroes: Brave Stories, Big Adventures!" *

·       Peachtree Corners Arts, ChalkWalk at Midsummer Kids Fest *

·       Reimagine ATL, Inc., Film/TV Workforce Development, GCPS Student Film Festival *

·       Spectrum Autism Support, "Rhythm for Connection, Sound for Support: Creative Wellness for Autism Families"

·       Sugarloaf Ballet, Inc., "Peter Pan Ballet"

·       Suwanee Arts Center, Suwanee Arts Fest

·       Suwanee Performing Arts, "Broadway in the Park 2026"

·       Urban Mediamakers Film Festival, NextGen Creative Youth Camp

·       William Baker Choral Foundation, Gwinnett Summer Singers *

·       WOW Afro Foundation, Inc., "Afro Street Market Festival" *

(* denotes first-time recipient)

Started in 2020, GCF aims to increase Gwinnett County’s profile as a cultural, inclusive destination where the arts educate, elevate and inspire. Grants are developed, administered and managed by Explore Gwinnett Tourism + Film and are fully funded by the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners.