Advocacy Alert: State advocacy wins bring new funding to artists and organizations
Advocacy work often happens behind the scenes. So, when we heard that nearly $15 million of American Rescue Plan Act funding was on the table, we collaborated with our state advocacy partner Citizens for the Arts in PA to advocate for funds to be directed toward the arts community.
As a result, the new Pennsylvania Arts and Culture Recovery Program will include subgrants to individual artists. Arts and culture organizations will also be eligible for grants to support recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pennsylvania Arts and Culture Recovery Program
The PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) recently announced the eligibility guidelines for this grant program. It includes a maximum grant for arts and cultural organizations of up to 25% of the operating budget for the most recently completed fiscal year or $500,000, whichever is less. Self-employed individuals whose income is earned from the arts and culture sector can also apply for $3,000 recovery grants.
We’ve included some brief eligibility highlights below but be sure you read the full requirements to ensure you’re eligible for recovery funds. You can download the full document on the DCED website.
Program Highlights
- Arts and Culture Recovery Funds for Organizations: Arts and cultural organizations in Pennsylvania that have a 501(c)3 status and a budget of $100,000 or more are eligible for recovery funds. The maximum grant is 25% of the operating budget for the most recently completed fiscal year or $500,000, whichever is less, per eligible applicant. Arts organizations will apply for these funds directly through the state.
- Pandemic Payments to Art and Culture Professionals: Self-employed individuals whose income is earned from the arts and culture sector within the Commonwealth are eligible for funding. This includes $3,000 grants to these individuals who have experienced negative economic impacts from the pandemic.
- The funding stream for artists is not open to applicants yet. Organizations that serve as re-grantors for the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA), such as the Arts Council, will first apply to regrant funds to individuals before the fund will open to applicants. We plan to apply to be the sub-granter for the artist-specific funding to ensure local artists have an equitable opportunity to gain access to this federal funding. We’ll be sure to share more information once it’s available.
Register for a Free Webinar on December 7th at 2 p.m.
Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania is hosting a Zoom webinar to review these recently announced grant guidelines as part of the new PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program. The webinar will cover both the program guidelines and application process.
This virtual session will feature an overview by Ryan Emerson, Director of DCED’s Grants Office, as well as an opportunity to ask questions about the application process and guidelines on Wednesday, December 7 from 2-3 p.m. Register online here.