The National Endowment for the Arts grants funding to 855 organizations to support staff salaries, fees for artists or contractual personnel, and facilities costs

Wilmington, Del. (July 10, 2020) – Earlier this month, four Delaware arts organizations—Delaware Art Museum, Delaware Shakespeare, OperaDelaware and State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education—received $50,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. These four organizations are among 855 organizations nationwide—located in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico—that will receive a total of $44.5 million in nonmatching funds to support staff salaries, fees for artists or contractual personnel, and facilities costs.

The National Endowment for the Arts received more than 3,100 eligible applications requesting $157 million for the $45 million available in direct assistance. To review the applications, the agency used more than 200 application readers and panelists to review and score each application using the published review criteria.

“All of us at the National Endowment for the Arts are keenly aware that arts organizations across the country are hurting, struggling, and trying to survive and that our supply of funding does not come close to meeting the demand for assistance,” said Arts Endowment Chairman Mary Anne Carter. “That said, I am enormously proud of the over-and-above efforts of the Arts Endowment staff to swiftly and professionally manage such a large amount of additional work in a relatively short period of time on behalf of the American public.”

These awardees represent the diverse nature of arts organizations around the country. Overall funding is divided nearly evenly between small, medium, and large arts organizations.

CARES Act grants chart by organization size

In April, the agency announced the distribution of the required 40 percent of the CARES Act’s $75 million appropriation to the state and regional arts agencies for their granting programs. With this special award and additional federal funds, the Delaware Division of the Arts developed two short-term grant opportunities to help secure jobs and support Delaware’s nonprofit arts organizations and artists that add value to the state’s economy and bolster the creative life of our communities.

Of the approximately 60 arts organizations that receive General Operating Support, and an additional 25 community-based arts programs, 55 arts and community-based organizations and 11 artists received relief funds.

The Division has also opened up a second cycle of the CARES Artist Relief program which provides grants up to $500 to Delaware artists impacted by the cancellation of a specific, scheduled event, gig, or opportunity (e.g. commissions, performances, readings, contracts, teaching classes, etc.) because of COVID-19.  Guidelines and application link here. Deadline to apply July 31, 2020.

About the National Endowment for the Arts

Established by Congress in 1965, the National Endowment for the Arts is the independent federal agency whose funding and support gives Americans the opportunity to participate in the arts, exercise their imaginations, and develop their creative capacities. Through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector, the Arts Endowment supports arts learning, affirms and celebrates America’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, and extends its work to promote equal access to the arts in every community across America. Visit arts.gov to learn more.

###

Contact: Leeann Wallett, Program Officer, Communications and Marketing
302-577-8280, leeann.wallett@delaware.gov

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is dedicated to cultivating and supporting the arts to enhance the quality of life for all Delawareans. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.

Fifty-five arts organizations and 11 artists have received relief funds

Wilmington, Del. (June 10, 2020) – Earlier this year, the Division of the Arts received $423,600 from the National Endowment for the Arts through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. With this special award and additional federal funds, the Division developed two short-term grant opportunities to help secure jobs and support Delaware’s nonprofit arts organizations and artists that add value to the state’s economy and bolster the creative life of our communities. Of the approximately 60 arts organizations that receive General Operating Support, and an additional 25 community-based arts programs, 55 arts and community-based organizations and 11 artists received relief funds.

CARES Organization Relief Grants ranged in size from $1,000 to $12,500 and were only available to recipients of General Operating Support (GOS) in the past three years (FY18, FY19, FY20), or Project Support (PS) in the current fiscal year (FY20). The grants were for expenses to support salaried employees, fees for artists and/or contractual personnel, as well as facility costs such as rent and utilities, incurred between March 15 and August 31.

CARES Artist Relief Grants provided up to $500 to eligible Delaware artists impacted by the cancellation of a specific scheduled event, gig, or opportunity (e.g. commissions, performances, readings, contracts, teaching classes, etc.) because of COVID-19.

“These relief funds are critical to arts organizations’ and their ongoing service to the community,” said Paul Weagraff, director of the Division of the Arts. “Public funds represent only a small portion of the revenue that arts organizations generate. In addition, individual practicing and teaching artists have seen their opportunities postponed or even canceled due to the social distancing guidelines set forth by the state. Artists’ work in communities, schools and businesses is crucial to the creative life of our communities and adds distinct value to the state’s economy.”

In addition to the CARES Act relief grants, the Division also released the final General Operating Support grant payments in mid-March (usually dispersed in September) to assist arts organizations with cash flow challenges resulting from cancelled and postponed, revenue generating programming.

###

Contact: Leeann Wallett, Program Officer, Communications and Marketing
302-577-8280, leeann.wallett@delaware.gov

Image: “Tides of Change,” acrylics, 36” x 36”, 2019, artist: Shawn Faust

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is dedicated to cultivating and supporting the arts to enhance the quality of life for all Delawareans. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.

Eligible applicants include those that received General Operating Support from FY 18/19/20 or Project Support from FY20

Wilmington, DE (April 30, 2020) – The Delaware Division of the Arts, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, has developed a program to help secure jobs and support Delaware’s nonprofit arts organizations that add value to the state’s economy and bolster the creative life of our communities.

CARES Organization Relief grant guidelines and application are now available. You should download and review the CARES Organization Relief Guidelines in advance to review eligibility and parameters for funding.

Per the guidelines: To be eligible to apply for a CARES Organization Relief Grant, applicants must: a) Be a recipient of General Operating Support in the past three years (FY18, FY19, FY20) or Project Support in the current fiscal year (FY20); AND b) Be in good standing with all reporting requirements to the Division

Please note the following restriction: No individual may compile or submit an Addendum on behalf of an organization if that individual is a member or relative of a member of the Delaware State Arts Council or Division staff

If you are eligible and wish to apply, you can access the grant application in smARTDE. To do so, log in, click on “Opportunities” and locate “CARES Organization Relief.” Select “Apply Now” to begin the application.

If you need assistance logging into smARTDE, download the instructions here.

The deadline for submission is May 15, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. The goal is to review applications expeditiously so that funding can be announced and awarded in early June.

Please note: Because the CARES Organization Relief grants are made possible with federal funds through the National Endowment for the Arts, they cannot be co-mingled with funds you receive through the US Small Business Administration. In short, if you receive PPP money for specific salaries, contractual expenses, or facility-related expenses, you may not use CARES Organization Relief funds for those same expenses covering the same time period.

For a list of additional COVID-19 resources, please visit: https://arts.delaware.gov/resources/covid-19/

Image: The Biggs Museum of American Art, Dover; artwork: Thomas del Porte

###

Contact: Leeann Wallett, Program Officer, Communications and Marketing
302-577-8280, leeann.wallett@delaware.gov

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is dedicated to cultivating and supporting the arts to enhance the quality of life for all Delawareans. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.

Regional and State Arts Agencies to Disburse 40%
of Funds Through Local and Regional Programs

Washington, DC (April 8, 2020) – This morning, the National Endowment for the Arts announced guidelines to distribute funding to nonprofit arts organizations from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to preserve jobs and help support organizations forced to close operations due to the spread of COVID-19.

With the $75 million appropriated to the National Endowment for the Arts through the CARES Act, the Arts Endowment will award 40 percent of the funds directly to state and regional arts agencies to distribute through their funding programs. Sixty percent of the funds are designated for direct grants to nonprofit arts organizations all across the United States and will be announced by June 30.

The more than 3,700 organizations that have received National Endowment for the Arts awards in the past four years are eligible to apply for a direct grant through the Arts Endowment’s program. Funds can be used for staff salary support, fees for artists or contractual personnel, and facilities costs. The direct grants will not require a cost share or match and will be for a fixed amount of $50,000. Designated local arts agencies eligible to subgrant may request $100,000 or $250,000 for subgranting programs. The deadline to apply is April 22, 2020 with the earliest announcement of grant award or rejection by June 30, 2020. Please see the Arts Endowment’s website for program description, eligibility requirements, application review, and FAQs.

In the coming weeks, Delaware Division of the Arts will announce its program of support made possible through the Arts Endowment CARES funding. Guidelines will be announced via email, newsletter, and social media.

For a list of COVID-19 resources, please visit: https://arts.delaware.gov/resources/covid-19/

Image: The Grand Opera House, Wilmington

###

Contact: Leeann Wallett, Program Officer, Communications and Marketing
302-577-8280, leeann.wallett@delaware.gov

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is dedicated to cultivating and supporting the arts to enhance the quality of life for all Delawareans. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.

Two Delaware organizations will receive $55,000 in federal grants

Wilmington, Del. (January 28, 2020) – As the only funder in the country to support arts activities in all 50 states and five U.S. jurisdictions, the National Endowment for the Arts announced that two Delaware organizations, will receive $55,000 in federal grants. This is the first of two major grant announcements in fiscal year 2020 and includes two of the agency’s funding categories: Art Works and Challenge America to support projects by nonprofit organizations. Through these grants, the National Endowment for the Arts supports arts participation, and this year will include projects that celebrate the Women’s Suffrage Centennial.

“The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support grants throughout the entire country that connect people through shared experiences and artistic expression,” said Arts Endowment Chairman Mary Anne Carter. “These projects provide access to the arts for people of all abilities and backgrounds in both urban centers and rural communities.”

OperaDelaware will receive an Art Works – Opera grant in the amount of $15,000 to support a new production of The Tales of Hoffmann by Jacques Offenbach.

“We are humbled to receive this support from the NEA for a new production of Offenbach’s The Tales of Hoffmann, which will serve as the cornerstone of our 75th anniversary festival,” said Brendan Cooke, General Director of OperaDelaware. “This year’s award will help to ensure that this is one of our most thrilling productions to date.”

The State Education Agency Directors of Education (SEADAE), Delaware will receive an Art Works – Arts Education grant in the amount of $40,000 to support its 2020 national conference, The Arts & Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): A Synergistic Pairing, at the University of Delaware and Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library from September 24-26, 2020.

“SEADAE is thrilled to have the opportunity to come to Delaware to host its’ national conference. Not only is the Brandywine Valley a place of wonder in the fall – a must-see destination for the East Coast – but Delaware has taken a lead nationally, in highlighting the importance of fostering the social and emotional competence of young learners and embracing socially responsible, trauma informed instruction. We anticipate the conference to be an immersive, life-affirming experience and are excited to engage with our collaborators in Delaware to investigate the importance of the intersection between the arts and social emotional learning,” said Dale Schmid, Visual & Performing Arts Coordinator, New Jersey Department of Education.

The next funding deadline for applications to the Grants for Arts Projects category is February 13, 2020. Note: Grant applications previously submitted to the Art Works category will now be submitted to the Grants for Arts Projects category. The next funding deadline for applications to Challenge America is April 9, 2020.

The full NEA grant descriptions follow:

Challenge America
Challenge America grants offer support primarily to small and mid-sized organizations for projects that extend the reach of the arts to populations that have limited access to the arts due to geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability. Each grant is for a fixed amount of $10,000 and requires a minimum $10,000 cost share/match.

Art Works
Art Works grants support artistically excellent projects that celebrate our creativity and cultural heritage, invite mutual respect for differing beliefs and values, and enrich humanity. Cost share/matching grants range from $10,000 to $100,000.

About the National Endowment for the Arts
Established by Congress in 1965, the NEA is the independent federal agency whose funding and support gives Americans the opportunity to participate in the arts, exercise their imaginations, and develop their creative capacities. Through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector, the NEA supports arts learning, affirms and celebrates America’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, and extends its work to promote equal access to the arts in every community across America. For more information, visit www.arts.gov.

About the Delaware Division of the Arts
The Delaware Division of the Arts is an agency of the State of Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Funding for Division programs is provided by annual appropriations from the Delaware General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.

###

Contact: Leeann Wallett, Program Officer, Communications and Marketing
302-577-8280, leeann.wallett@delaware.gov

Image: Amleto, OperaDelaware, Joe del Tufo, Moonloop Photography