Cultural organization grant program aims to help financially-strapped arts providers

Milwaukee arts and cultural organizations and agencies negatively impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic will be able to apply for assistance under a new $5 million grant program announced by Governor Tony Evers, said Alderman Michael J. Murphy, chair of the City of Milwaukee Arts Board.

Governor Evers announced the launch of the COVID-19 Cultural Organization Grant Program yesterday (September 3) to assist Wisconsin cultural organizations that have been economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and is funded through the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act dollars. Administered by the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA), the program will be providing eligible organizations grant awards of up to $250,000 to cover pandemic-related impacts including lost revenue, increased workers compensation costs, cleaning and sanitization, and purchases of services or equipment to facilitate telework by employees.

Alderman Murphy said eligible organizations must have a primary mission to produce, present or exhibit cultural disciplines such as music, dance, theater, literature and the visual arts, or items of environmental or scientific interest.

“We are very fortunate in Milwaukee to have numerous nonprofit art and cultural organizations that provide enriching forms of art and expression that draw attendees from across the region,” Alderman Murphy said.

“These organizations are important job providers, play an important role in our local economy and are also a great source of pride, healing and comfort, and this grant program will be a vital help to keep them alive as we look to rebound from the devastating economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 emergency,” he said.

Full program details, eligibility standards, grant application, and program contact information are available here on the DOA website.

Grant applications are due to DOA by no later than 2 p.m. on Wednesday, September 30th. Interested applicants are encouraged to attend a program webinar on September 10th; details are available here.