Today, County Executive Steuart Pittman and Arts Council Executive Director April Nyman jointly announced a new grant program to provide $1 million of federal CARES Act funding to support the county arts community. The arts are an important economic driver within Anne Arundel County, and because artists are not categorized as essential employees, individual artists and organizations that employ artists have been severely affected by the COVID pandemic.
“Art reminds us who we are and what matters most, and in trying times like these we need what our artists produce,” said County Executive Pittman. “Too many of our artists have lost income during this pandemic that allows them to continue their work. These grants will help local artists survive the pandemic economy.”
The funds come from the county’s allotment of the federal CARES Act and will aid in the support and stabilization of the arts community. All funding will be administered by the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County.
“I am grateful to County Executive Pittman for recognizing the overwhelming need in the arts community to provide economic relief to individuals that have no other sources,” said April Nyman, executive director of the Arts Council.
Grants will be broken down in two categories: Independent Artists, and Arts Nonprofits or Businesses that solely employ artists or performers. The fund will provide $250,000 in funding for individual artists and $750,000 for businesses and nonprofits to support losses due to COVID. All applicants must be a resident of Anne Arundel County. Grant guidelines and application materials will be available on the Arts Council website at acaac.org after October 26, 2020. For information regarding the grant, email [email protected].
