Struggling arts nonprofits get a $9M lifeline
State accepting applications for one-time grant program
Nonprofit arts organizations — a sector of the economy that was brutally hit by the coronavirus pandemic — can now apply for one-time COVID Relief Fund for the Arts grants and matching funds between $5,000 and $750,000, Gov. Ned Lamont said Monday.
The Connecticut Office of the Arts will accept applications between Oct. 23 and Nov. 3. The $9 million in grants are being made available through the federal CARES Act.
Funding is available for performing arts centers, performing groups, and schools of the arts.
“The ongoing, global COVID-19 pandemic has impacted so many aspects of our lives, and many of our state’s nonprofit arts organizations are struggling to recover from its impact,’’ Lamont said. “This program will provide some support so that these groups can continue
providing the services in our state that so many depend on.”
According to the program website, organizations must be active, incorporated, tax-exempt, in good standing with the CT Dept. of Revenue and established by Oct. 1, 2019. They must also be able to document a 20 percent or more year-to-date loss of earned income or revenue as of Sept. 30 2020 compared with the same period in 2019.
Other requirements include at least one full-time paid employee; viability as a business and a plan to reopen; a plan to rehire workers let go due to the pandemic when business conditions recover; and proof that a material financial need that cannot be overcome without a grant of relief funds.
They must also demonstrate a “material financial need that cannot be overcome without a grant of relief funds.”
Some of the requirements, which may seem stringent, are stipulations of the federal CARESAct, said Liz Shapiro, director of arts, preservation, and museums for the Department of Economic Community Development.
“If you meet the requirements, then you will receive your grant of $5,000,” Shapiro said. “And for a small organization, that will cover the expenses of salary and overhead for even two months.”
Shapiro cautioned that if the $9 million is surpassed, the secondary grant maximum amount of $750,000 will be proportionally reduced, with the goal of touching as few of the $5,000 base grants as possible.
During the pandemic, nonprofit arts organizations, for-profit venues, artists, musicians and creative types of all varieties across the state have all suffered, leading Sen. Richard Blumenthal and other lawmakers to rally support for the federal Save Our Stages Act.
In August, leadership at The Bushnell in Hartford, The Shubert in New Haven, the Garde Arts Center in New London, the Palace Theater in Waterbury, the Palace Theatre in Stamford and the Warner Theatre in Torrington lobbied to raise $10 million in federal, state and local relief.
And while Lamont’s Phase 3 reopening plan earlier this month seemed promising to performing arts centers and music venues, few were able to capitalize on it.
Officials rolled out the new $9 million COVID Relief Fund for the Arts program on the steps of the Neighborhood Music School in New Haven on Monday.
“I want to thank you guys back there,” Lamont said, addressing a group of onlookers. “Thanks for wearing your masks. Do you love the arts? Do you play music? Do you paint? Are you here for a reason? I hope so, because we’re here for you. We’re here for you.”
The $9 million investment, Lamont said, is “a slightly different model. We don’t quite have enough just to hand out grants for everybody, but we have a five thousand dollar grant to everybody that qualifies.”
An amateur pianist, Lamont talked about playing the blues as a way of cheering himself up. “Music has a different effect on people in different ways,” he said. “This is an investment that’s really important economically.”
Noah Bloom, executive director of the Neighborhood Music School, said creative industries contribute $9 billion to Connecticut’s economy each year, with nonprofit arts organizations contributing $800 million annually.
“You don’t have to look far to realize the impact the arts have on travel, restaurants, parking, hotels, retail and so many other sectors,” Bloom said. “Right here in the Audubon Arts District, organizations like Neighborhood Music School are an important partner to the surrounding businesses and the growing residential market.”