Staff Reports

The Indiana Arts Commission recently announced it has distributed American Rescue Plan Act funds to 278 nonprofit organizations totaling $834,000.

Grants were distributed through the agency’s Arts Recovery Program with American Rescue Plan Act funds directly from the National Endowment for the Arts with additional NEA funds through Arts Midwest, Indiana’s regional partner.

Jackson County organizations receiving $3,000 apiece were Southern Indiana Center for the Arts and Actors Community Theater of Seymour, both in Seymour, and Jackson County Community Theatre in Brownstown.

“We are proud to partner with the National Endowment for the Arts and Arts Midwest to support the arts organizations across Indiana that are playing a key role in the recovery from the pandemic,” said Lewis Ricci, executive director of the Indiana Arts Commission. “This funding is a recognition of the value that the creative sector provides to the economic and social health of our state and nation.”

The Arts Recovery Program supports:

Salary support, full or partial, for one or more staff positions

Fees/stipends for artists and/or contractual personnel

Facilities costs, such as rent and utilities, e.g., electric, phone, gas bills

Costs associated with health and safety supplies for staff and/or visitors/audiences

Marketing and promotion costs

Last month, panelists met virtually and assessed each applicant’s ability to advance the arts, provide relevant activities and access to the arts and operate through June 2022.