A 1926 Porter steam locomotive at the Georgia Museum of Agriculture and Historic Village in Tifton. Courtesy of Georgia Museum of Agriculture and Historic Village The New Georgia Encyclopedia does not hold the copyright for this media resource and can neither grant nor deny permission to republish or reproduce the image online or in print. All requests for permission to publish or reproduce the resource must be submitted to the rights holder.

The Quinlan Visual Arts Center in Gainesville is a nonprofit, comprehensive center for the visual arts. Since it was established in the mid-1940s, the Quinlan has grown into a well-respected regional arts organization in northeast Georgia, known for its commitment to quality programming and educational opportunities for “all ages at all stages” of artistic development. The permanent collection consists predominantly of American paintings, many of which are by local artists. Each year the center hosts a variety of exhibitions that support local artists and include nationally and internationally renowned painters and sculptors as well.

Raven Perched on a Hard Hat (1987) by Jo Fassnacht is part of Georgia's State Art Collection. Clay, 6 1/2 x 14 x 7 inches The New Georgia Encyclopedia does not hold the copyright for this media resource and can neither grant nor deny permission to republish or reproduce the image online or in print. Requests for permission to publish or reproduce the resource should be submitted to the Georgia Council for the Arts.

Georgia’s long history in regional planning and organization is made possible largely through an established regional-organizational structure. The state’s regional commissions (RCs) serve Georgia’s city and county governments by functioning as multicounty planning and development agencies. Their role as regional planning organizations (RPOs) is not, however, unique to Georgia. More than 500 RPOs exist in 47 states nationwide and serve 90 percent of the nation’s counties and municipalities. While they are called RCs in Georgia, comparable organizations in other states are commonly known as area development districts, business development corporations, and councils of governments.

British artist Thomas Addison Richards painted River Plantation (1855-60) from sketches made in Georgia during his travels through the South in the 1840s. Oil on canvas (20 1/4" x 30"). Courtesy of Morris Museum of Art The New Georgia Encyclopedia does not hold the copyright for this media resource and can neither grant nor deny permission to republish or reproduce the image online or in print. All requests for permission to publish or reproduce the resource must be submitted to the rights holder.