Nearly 300 arts and culture organizations and individual artists have been selected to receive reimbursement grants from the City of Sacramento’s Creative Economy Recovery program.
The program is designed to financially assist arts groups, tourism and cultural organizations that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’m thrilled that these arts organizations and creatives will be able to breathe a little easier because of the help we’re providing,” said Mayor Darrell Steinberg. “The COVID-19 shutdown has hit the creative economy hard, and we recognize that our city will not thrive unless arts and culture does as well. That’s why we have used our CARES Act funds to launch one of the most robust assistance plans in the country, and why we will vote Tuesday to formalize the approval of another $12.3 million in assistance for the Creative Economy Recovery Program and for tourism.”
“Our artists and cultural organizations are at risk of total collapse due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Councilmember Steve Hansen. “Our City’s CARES Act Creative Economy Grants program, one of the largest in the country, is essential to the survival of theatre, dance, music, museums, venues, painters and many more who we rely on for inspiration, healing, joy and community.”
The program is funded by the $89 million the City received from the federal CARES Act.
The program is being executed by the City’s Office of Arts and Culture, and awardees were scored and selected by panel review from the City’s Arts Culture and Creative Economy Commission (ACCE). Scores were based on a proof of impact and loss from the COVID-19 pandemic. To provide more funds to as many groups as possible, ACCEE created a cap of $100,000 on Creative Business Reimbursement grants and a cap of $10,000 in Individual Artist Reimbursement grants.
“The COVID-19 pandemic crippled much of our Creative Economy in Sacramento,” said Ray Gargano grant programs officer. “Many of these facilities were forced to close their doors to the public, and I am glad that we were able to financially help so many iconic institutions and organizations, businesses and individual artists.”
The City Council on Tuesday will review adding an additional $6.9 million in Creative Economy Recovery grant funding and a $5.4 million grant for Visit Sacramento. If approved, the City will have provided nearly $20 million in CARES Act funding for the Creative Economy Recovery program.
Find more information on the Creative Economy Recovery Grant program here.
Find a full list of awardees here.