LITTLE ROCK — The Division of Arkansas Heritage is pleased to announce the application period is now open for the Arkansas Arts Council American Rescue Plan (ARP) Grant. This grant will aid 501(c)(3) arts groups based in Arkansas that have experienced financial hardships or loss of program capacity due to lost revenue in the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Funding for this grant comes from the $784,000 AAC received from the National Endowment for the Arts in the ARP. Eligible arts organizations may request up to $15,000. This is a one-time-only grant category and may not be extended or renewed.
“Arts organizations play an important role in their local economies and contribute substantially to the quality of life in our state,” said Stacy Hurst, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. “We are very pleased to be able to offer this grant to help offset the economic injury caused by COVID-19.”
Our agency recognizes this moment as an opportunity for the sector not just to reestablish old ways of operating, but to rebuild in a way that works better for all arts organizations.
To qualify for the ARP grant, organizations will be considered on:
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The quality of the arts organizations based on Artistic Excellence and Artistic Merit.
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The potential of the proposal to have a significant and immediate impact on the arts workforce.
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The proposal’s significance to the arts mission and core work of the organizations.
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The organization’s ability to carry out an arts proposal, including the appropriateness of the budget, resources involved and personnel.
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The extent to which the arts organization aids underserved populations whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics or disability.
The Arkansas Arts Council ARP grant can be used for the following administrative costs:
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Salary support (full or partial) for one or more staff positions.
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Fees/stipends for contractual personnel to support the services they provide for specific activities. Jobs or positions supported through ARP may be existing or new.
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Facilities costs such as rent and utilities, e.g., electric, phone and gas bills. Not to include upgrades to HVAC/ventilation systems. Note: costs related to home offices are not allowed.
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Costs associated with health and safety supplies for staff and/or visitors/audiences (e.g., personal protective equipment, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, etc.).
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Costs associated with marketing, promotion and applicant/grantee technical assistance.
To apply for the ARP grant check out our grants portal website: https://bit.ly/2XnbWU4. New users will have to create an account to apply. The deadline to apply is October 15.
For more information or assistance contact Grant Programs Manager Jess Anthony at jess.anthony@arkansas.gov or 501-324-9768.
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Arkansas Arts Council
The Arkansas Arts Council is the agency of Arkansas Heritage, tasked with advancing the arts in our state and providing technical and financial assistance to Arkansas arts organizations and providers of cultural and educational programs. The other Arkansas Heritage agencies include the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, Arkansas State Archives, Delta Cultural Center in Helena, Historic Arkansas Museum, Mosaic Templars Cultural Center and the Old State House Museum. Funding for the Arkansas Arts Council and its programs is provided by the State of Arkansas and the National Endowment for the Arts. Arkansas Heritage is a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.
Arkansas Heritage
Arkansas Heritage was created in 1975. There are eight agencies with unique heritage focuses under the umbrella of this division: Arkansas Arts Council, Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, the Delta Cultural Center in Helena, the Old State House Museum, the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, the Historic Arkansas Museum and the Arkansas State Archives. Jimmy Bryant serves as director of the division while Stacy Hurst is the secretary of the Department of Arkansas Parks, Heritage and Tourism.
