The City of Sacramento is now accepting applications for its Creative Economy Recovery program to provide reimbursement grants to financially assist arts groups, tourism and cultural organizations during the pandemic.
The program is funded by $7.5 million of the $89 million the City received from the federal stimulus bill, known as the CARES act.
“Institutions, organizations and individuals engaged in creative endeavors make up a significant part of Sacramento’s cultural and economic fabric,” said Mayor Darrell Steinberg. “They have been decimated by the shutdown orders, and their recovery is essential for our City to resume its upward trajectory, both economically and culturally.”
“The arts are more vital than ever as a cultural catharsis while we experience this uniquely challenging period of history,” said Councilmember Steve Hansen. “We must do all we can to uplift our creative and cultural communities. I’m proud that we’ve included $7.5 million in this first round of grants which represents a strong beginning of support toward local artists, creative and cultural organizations.”
The Office of Arts & Culture built the Creative Economy Recovery program framework with input from the City’s Arts Culture and Creative Economy Commission (ACCE) and was designed to align with the goals of the Creative Edge cultural plan.
The application period will be from 9 a.m. Wednesday July 8 through midnight Wednesday July 22.
The Creative Economy Recovery program includes four specific grant opportunities for monies to be dispersed: City cultural assets; nonprofit reimbursement; nonprofit programs; artists and for-profit creative business reimbursement.
Awarded grant allocations will be based on total number of applicants, completeness of applications, expense eligibility and organizations operating budget size. Grants will be awarded by a panel review and scoring process. The ACCE commission will provide final review and approval of awards and amounts.
“I’m honored that the Office of Arts & Culture can infuse our creative economy with such a significant investment of grants,” said Ray Gargano, grant programs officer. “The goal of this program is to support all of our creative communities in an equitable and diverse manner to uplift the creative economy for everyone.”
Applications will be accepted online at arts.cityofsacramento.org/grants
Those interested in learning more about the grants are encouraged to attend upcoming webinar workshops that will go over the grant process, eligibility and how to apply. Sign up for webinars at arts.cityofsacramento.org/grants