For immediate release, April 10, 2009
Contact: Jane Eklund, Programs Information Officer
           N.H. State Council on the Arts
           603-271-0791; jane.eklund@dcr.nh.gov

NEA and N.H. State Council on the Arts Announce Recovery Grants

The New Hampshire State Council on the Arts has been awarded $293,100 by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to preserve jobs in the arts workforce. The funds are part of a $19.8 million appropriation funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The NEA is awarding the funds directly to state and regional arts agencies to respond to the unique needs of arts organizations around the country that are struggling to remain viable in the economic downturn. In New Hampshire, funds will be awarded by the State Arts Council through a competitive grant program called Art Jobs: Putting New Hampshire to Work. 
Speaking on behalf of the National Endowment for the Arts, Acting Chair Patrice Walker Powell said, "We applaud the ready response demonstrated by our national, state, and regional partners to support the arts. We look forward to witnessing the positive impact of this funding opportunity."

The State Arts Council, in conjunction with NH Recovery, has established a page on its Web site with information regarding stimulus funds. Organizations may learn more about the Art Jobs grant and determine their eligibility by visiting http://www.nh.gov/nharts/recovery/index.html. The deadline for applying is May 8, 2009. The Arts Council will be holding free workshop sessions to help with the application process; more information will be available on those soon. For more information on the grants, call Chief Grants Coordinator Cassandra Erickson at 603-271-7926.

In July, the Arts Endowment will announce a second NEA Recovery grant, which will be open to eligible nonprofit arts organizations including local arts agencies, statewide assemblies of local arts agencies, arts service organizations, and other arts organizations, many of which have seen declines in philanthropic and other support during the current economic downturn. These grants will also support job retention in the arts workforce.  

The NEA Web site offers a Recovery page at www.arts.gov/recovery with updates on Recovery grants, agency reports, and other information.