Atlanta, GA, July 17, 2024: Aabaha, a collective of theater enthusiasts based in Greater Metro Atlanta and founded in 2019, has been awarded a Project Grant from the Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA), 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 of connecting the stories brought forward through 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,” said Kallol Nandi, Founder and Director of Aabaha.
Aabaha will host the Aabaha Art and Theater Festival 2024 (AATF 2024) on August 10 & 11 at Eagle Theatre, Sugar Hill. The festival will feature performances from local Metro Atlanta theater groups Aabaha, Atlanta Theater Workshop, Abhinayam, and Dhoop Chaoon, as well as from out-of-state groups Chicago Natyagosthi, Enad (Boston), and Kushilob (Philadelphia).
The GCA Project Grant helps fund single art projects such as art exhibits, theater productions, a series of children’s workshops, and artist residencies, or capacity-building projects like developing a strategic plan or providing professional development. This year, 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 GCA 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.”
The Aabaha Art and Theater Festival 2024 is an immersive cultural experience showcasing 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 will culminate in a seminar and panel discussion, fostering a greater understanding and appreciation for the diverse heritage of the Indian Subcontinent.
The festival also features a captivating array of paintings and crafts created by local artists. Attendees can enjoy the art show alongside the theatrical performances. The exhibition hall will be a dynamic space for engaging discussions and networking, enhancing the overall festival experience and fostering a shared appreciation for creativity and culture.
AATF embarked on this project with a multifaceted purpose aimed at enriching the community. Besides entertaining the audience, the festival serves as a platform where theater enthusiasts can converge to network, interact, and engage in a rich tapestry of multilingual and multicultural experiences. It aims to foster awareness about the heritage of the Indian Subcontinent and its unique culture, breaking down contrived barriers between communities and celebrating the beauty found in both similarities and differences.
The 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 like 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.
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 professionals experienced in the arts discipline or type of grant being reviewed, or are citizens with a record of arts activities, experience, and knowledge.
