The local art and culture scene was thrown a lifeline recently, thanks to a statewide initiative. Five local non-profit arts and cultural organizations received $3,000 each as part of a statewide Emergency Relief Fund Grant.
The St. Clair County recipients are Enter Stage Right, Riverbank Youth Theatre, School for Strings, St. Clair Art Association, and Studio 1219.
The Michigan Council for the Arts awarded over $500,000 to 176 eligible non-profits who are coping with loss of revenue from the COVID-19 crisis. Over $83,000 was leveraged from Arts Midwest to benefit an additional 28 non-profits in Michigan. The funds can be used to pay staff, contracts, and overhead costs like rent and utilities.
Receiving the grants shows that the organizations were deemed likely to “secure jobs and keep doors open” according to the Michigan Council for the Arts. Receiving funding is a vote of confidence in the future of in-person arts and cultural programming in the region.
Funding was provided to the Michigan Council for the Arts by the federal CARES act in April. All available monies have now been disbursed.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
