TIFTON — The Tifton Council for the Arts will be able to make some much needed renovations to the Syd Blackmarr Arts Center, thanks to recent funding from the Georgia Council for the Arts.

The arts council received $58,901 in funds through a cultural facilities grant from the state organization Oct. 24, which they will use to bring an assortment of modern upgrades to the arts center.

In addition to touching up the over-century old building, the renovations planned for the Syd will focus on the network and structure of the facility, with the intent of expanding the services the arts center can provide to the community.

“These funds will provide much needed updates to our beautiful 120-year-old building to bring it into the 21st century,” Cindy Hammond, Tifton Council for the Arts board president said. “We will now be able to install professional exhibit lighting, audio and video equipment, add more storage space, and ensure that the building is safe for visitors. We are so excited about the new types of events we will be able to hold in the space, including new exhibits and opening up the building for business meetings and special events for the community.”

This grant is among several awarded by the Georgia Council for the Arts to over 31 organizations across 23 state counties, a total of $2.1 million being allocated to the restoration, acquisition, or construction of buildings to be used in arts programming.