Art Starts

Dear E-news subscribers:

Welcome to the May 26, 2020 edition of Art Starts

DISTRIBUTION OF NH CARES ACT FUNDS
A Message from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts

May 26, 2020

We are pleased to announce that the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts recently received $427,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The Council will distribute these funds in the form of grants to support salaries and facilities costs in nonprofit arts and cultural organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s what you need to know:

Where is the money going?

• Grants of $7,500 will be made to nonprofit New Hampshire arts organizations that have received Public Value Partnership (operating) support from the Arts Council in the past four years (FY17 – FY20). No application will be required for these grants. Organizations that receive direct CARES Act funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities or New Hampshire Humanities will not be eligible for Arts Council funding.

• Nonprofit New Hampshire arts and cultural organizations that have been awarded Arts Council project grants in the past four years (FY17 – FY20) will be eligible to apply for grants of $3,000. Eligible organizations will be notified by email. This is a competitive category and will require filing an application according to the grant guidelines. Organizations that receive direct CARES Act funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities or New Hampshire Humanities will not be eligible for this level of funding.

• Nonprofit New Hampshire arts and cultural organizations that have not received funds from the Arts Council in the past four years (FY17 – FY20) may apply for grants of $1,000. This is a competitive category and will require filing an application according to the grant guidelines. Organizations that receive direct CARES Act funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities or New Hampshire Humanities will not be eligible for this level of funding.

Where can I find the guidelines?

Guidelines, budget form and other information about this grant program can be accessed from the Arts Council’s website homepage: nh.gov/nharts.

What is the deadline and when will funds be released?

Applications for the $3,000 and $1,000 grants are due by 11:59 PM on June 12, 2020. The payment process will be initiated following approval of the grants by the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, most likely in July, 2020.

What about New Hampshire artists?

In April the Arts Council received $47,000 from the New England Foundation for the Arts for emergency grants to individual New Hampshire artists. A competitive grant program was announced on April 27 with a deadline of May 3. Following approval this month by the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, approximately 100 $500 grants will be made.

Will there be future relief packages for organizations and artists?

The quicker the arts and culture sector distributes CARES Act funds, the better positioned it will be to receive future allocations for economic relief. The Arts Council will keep you updated with any news of additional relief funding should it become available.

What if I have questions?

Questions about COVID-19-related funding from the Arts Council can be directed to Director Ginnie Lupi at virginia.lupi@dncr.nh.gov. Please note that email is preferable due to the volume of questions and remote work.