The Pickens Arts & Cultural Alliance distributed nearly $8,500 in grants to local nonprofits at their recent annual meeting, where the nonprofit’s leaders discussed accomplishments from the past year and plans for the future—including the announcement that ArtWalk Jasper will move to Saturdays in 2026 with expanded hours.
“The PACA board and I are so excited we can distribute grants to these amazing local groups and organizations that do so much for arts and culture in our community,” said PACA President Angela Reinhardt. “We are also thrilled to move ArtWalk to Saturdays and help the event reach its full potential. PACA has had a wonderful 2025, with more to come in 2026.”
Grants awarded
PACA grant recipients for the 2025 fiscal year were:
- The Pickens Historical Society—Funds will be used for lighting and other improvements at the Old Pickens County Jail, as well as staffing the jail for tours.
- Keep Pickens Beautiful—For improvements to their community gardens, which will include local and historically significant elements from Pickens County.
- Sassafras Literary—Funds will be used to bolster the Adult Writing Contest and be used for other endeavors as needed.
- Mountain Laurel Academy—To be used to improve the arts program by purchasing supplies and funding other needs.
PACA grant applications were open to any local nonprofit, group, or other entity. PACA will have a grant application cycle open again later this year.
ArtWalk Jasper moves to Saturdays
After two successful ArtWalk Jasper events in 2025, PACA has announced ArtWalk Jasper will move to a Saturday format in 2026 in hopes of growing attendance, attracting more visitors from outside the county, and giving artists and vendors a stronger event day.
The new 2026 ArtWalk Jasper dates are May 30 and Sept. 12 from 2-8 p.m…