Athens nonprofit AthFest Educates, a longtime supporter and partner of the Clarke County School District, announced its grants today for the 2026-27 school year, awarding $65,239.91 to 18 local educators and arts educators, $5,000 to the UGA Performing Arts Center, and $10,000 to the Artist in Residence Program at CCSD, all to support arts education for K-12 youth in Clarke County schools. These grants bring the total of AthFest Educates funds awarded to date to over $830,000. We are thankful for the generosity of community donors and the success of recent AthFest Music & Arts Festivals and the AthHalf Half Marathon & 5K.

The John & Patricia Whitehead Fund Grant goes to Books for Keeps, who will be purchasing music education and music history books to give out to local youth for their Prevent the Summer Slide Program.

The Riverview Foundation Grant 1 was awarded to Sarah Waller-Price at Coile Middle School to purchase an amplification and recording technology upgrade, allowing all band students to see and hear during instruction.

The Riverview Foundation Grant 2 goes to Ashley O’Connor at Whitehead Elementary School to purchase xylophones for the elementary music class.

The Riverview Foundation Grant 3 was awarded to Aaron Price at Cedar Shoals High School to purchase electric and acoustic guitars, plus accessories, to meet the growing demand for guitar classes.

The CandyVet Foundation Grant goes to Nuci’s Space’s Elizabeth Raps to help fund the Nuci’s Pre-Amped Music Education program at the Boys & Girls Club.

The Athens Art Association Grant was awarded to Carlin Jay, art teacher at Winterville Elementary, for students to participate in a collaborative mural with local artist David Hale.

The Athens Road Runners / Classic City Marathon Grant goes to DanceFX, to support their afterschool dance program at 4 Elementary Schools.

Aidan Thompson, Orchestra Director at Clarke Middle School, received funds to purchase new instruments and bows to meet the increased interest of students, which has tripled recently.

HEART Music, Inc was awarded funding to provide professional 1-on-1 instrument instruction at 4 middle schools.

Gaines Elementary Art Teacher, Alicia Worthy, received funding for continuing education, including training in ceramics instructional best practices and kiln safety.

Bryce Weber of Fowler Drive Elementary was awarded funding to purchase instruments and create a school Marimba Ensemble.

Cedar Shoals High’s Dance Teacher, Chria Midgette, received funding to purchase dance and safety equipment to make the classroom more accessible and safe for students.

Christian Cordón at Clarke Central High was awarded funding to produce a multilingual student magazine that showcases poems, essays, and art.

Dr. Melanie Martin received funding for Cedar Shoals High ESOL students to take a field trip and view the incredible art at the Civil Rights Museum in Atlanta.

Coile Middle School’s Art Teacher, Elizabeth Garrison, was awarded funds to attend the 2027 National Art Educators Association Conference in New York City.

Julie Evans, of CCSD Adapted Physical Education, received a grant for district Special Education students to attend aerial arts field trips at Canopy Studio.

Nicholas Kelly, Hilsman Middle School’s Orchestra Director was awarded funding to buy new music, instruments, and supplies, as well as repair existing equipment.

The Athens Area Homeless Shelter received a grant to provide arts-based field trips for their residents to visit the Ink Museum and the Aurora Theatre.

Funds for the grants come from individual donations and foundation grants to the organization, as well as profits from the annual AthFest Music & Arts Festival and AthHalf Half Marathon & 5K (October 10-11, 2026). The full list of grantees, award amounts, and project descriptions can be found at www.athfesteducates.org.