Several Phoenix arts organizations are receiving a helping hand as they have been hit hard by the Coronavirus pandemic.
The National Endowment for the Arts recently obtained $75 million through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to help arts organizations around the United States preserve jobs and assist organizations that were forced to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Of that money, the city of Phoenix received $250,000 to use to provide grants to different community organizations. Arizona Opera was given $50,000 to support personnel and cover facilities costs while Ballet Arizona also was awarded $50,000 for the same types of expenses. Phoenix Conservatory of Music also was given a grant of $50,000, as was The Phoenix Theatre Company.
There were more than 3,100 eligible applications seeking $157 million for the $45 million available in direct assistance from the National Endowment for the Arts funding.
The Western States Arts Federation, a regional, non-profit arts service organization, also announced the recipients of its WESTAF CARES Relief Fund for Organizations grants. This competitive grant program is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and set up to offer general operating support to arts and cultural organizations in the West negatively impacted by COVID-19. Black Theatre Troupe is one of the organizations to receive those grants. The grants ranged from $10,000 to $20,000.
Started in 1965, the National Endowment for the Arts is the independent federal agency that provides money and support to help Americans participate in the arts, use their imaginations and develop creative capacities. To learn more, visit arts.gov.
