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CultureSECT Economic Recovery Fund
Southeastern CT’s arts and cultural organizations, entities and artists, like so many others, are deeply impacted by COVID-19. From sole proprietors, artists and small volunteer-run organizations, to professionally staffed museums, tourist attractions and arts centers, the Coalition includes a diverse cross section of 500+ nonprofit and for-profit individuals, businesses, groups and organizations.
The Cultural Coalition established an economic recovery fund at the Community Foundation of Eastern CT in response to the COVID-19 crisis. The initiative supports the sustainability and recovery of arts & cultural institutions, including individual artists, and partners with the Community Foundation, a long-time trusted funder in our region. Through an open application process with review and recommendations made by a grant panel and decision-making by the Cultural Coalition, the economic recovery fund will support Southeastern CT’s arts & culture sector.
Generous support to the Fund has been provided by Chelsea Groton Bank, Chelsea Groton Bank Foundation, Community Foundation of Eastern CT, individual donors and Recovery Fund t-shirt buyers.
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Timeline of Fund
Grant Applications Open: October 15, 2020 (for 3 weeks)
Grant Applications Deadline: November 5, 2020
Grant Decisions Announced: End of November
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Grants Available: Open To:
Arts on Demand Artists and all arts & cultural businesses (501c3 nonprofits & for profits)
Covid-19 Facilities Needs 501c3 Nonprofit arts & cultural organizations
Virtual Arts & Culture Experience Artists and all arts & cultural businesses (501c3 nonprofits & for profits)
BIPOC Artist & Small Business Relief BIPOC artists and BIPOC-owned/led arts & cultural businesses (501c3 nonprofits & for profits)
Note: Artists include individual artists and teaching artists
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Eligibility
Applicant must be:
- located in New London County – live or based in one of the following towns – Bozrah | Colchester | East Lyme | Franklin | Griswold | Groton | Lebanon | Ledyard | Lisbon | Lyme | Montville | New London | North Stonington | Norwich | Old Lyme | Preston | Salem | Sprague | Stonington | Voluntown | Waterford
- an arts or cultural business, includes nonprofit organizations (501c3 only) and individual artists
- 18 years of age or older
Priority will be given to:
- registered Partners of the Cultural Coalition (as of October 1, 2020)
- BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) artists and BIPOC led organizations and businesses
- Artists (for relevant grants available) – individual artists or teaching artists that have been or are being adversely impacted by COVID-19
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Process of Applying
- Applicants must choose and only apply to one (1) grant opportunity – See details of each grant below.
- All applications must be submitted online and available at www.CultureSECT.org. Apply anytime before the deadline.
- Survey Monkey application: Applicant must be prepared to complete the online application in its entirety and on the same device. Users are unable to save and return at a later time. Applicants are encouraged to review their eligibility and application questions and prepare their responses in a WORD document. When ready to apply online, copy and paste the prepared responses into the appropriate sections. No additional uploads are required.
- All applicants must agree to the terms and sign a statement of acceptance found at the end of the application.
- Preview the Application (pdf download) HERE
- Questions? Contact us at info@CultureSECT.org
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CultureSECT Economic Recovery Fund Grants Opportunities
NOTE: Applicants may only apply to one (1) grant
ARTS ON DEMAND GRANTS
ARTS ON DEMAND provides funding for arts performances at venues to provide paid gigs (jobs) for musicians, artists and performers and entertainment for audiences and venues. As CT continues to reopen, ARTS ON DEMAND can help accelerate recovery for artists and arts organizations, downtowns, restaurants, and businesses.
Prior to applying, ARTS ON DEMAND artists should reach out to host venues to arrange performances. Arts organizations, museums, restaurants, vineyards, non-arts businesses, main street organizations, and municipal entities are some options. Performances must follow all social distancing requirements, be in accordance with state reopening guidelines, and take place between Dec. 1, 2020 and June 1, 2021.
Applications submitted by artists are preferred, but may be submitted by an arts & cultural business. The grant funding covers a set amount of the performance fee based on number of performers. Grant application will require the specific performance details including: artist/group/organization name, performance description, type of performance (music, dance, theater, live event painting, poetry), number of artists performing, total performance fee, gig date/time/duration, confirmed venue/location, and venue/host contact information to verify the event. Post-event verification of performance will be required by submission of photos, links to livestreams, marketing materials, or documentation from host/venue.
Grant Award Amount (choose one)
$300 (1 artist such as solo)
$500 (2-3 artists such as duo or trio)
$1,000 (4 or more artists such as group, band or theater troupe)
Open to: Artists and all arts & cultural businesses (501c3 nonprofits & for profits)
Click here to apply
COVID-19 ARTS & CULTURAL FACILITIES NEEDS GRANTS
COVID-19 FACILITIES NEEDS grants providing funding for costs to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus including facility improvements and equipment purchases or upgrades. Allowable costs for COVID-19 FACILITIES NEEDS grants could include facility improvement to accommodate for social distancing requirements, physical barriers, sanitation stations, PPE and/or cleaning supplies, and signage. Grants could also include funding for technology such as contactless ticketing/sales, equipment, and software/hardware. Examples are not meant to be exhaustive, and other items may be approved, provided they are needed to open, reopen and prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. Unallowable costs include costs associated with normal day-to-day operations and staffing. Grant report required.
Maximum Grant Award: $1,000
Open to: 501c3 Nonprofit arts & cultural organizations
Click here to apply
VIRTUAL ARTS & CULTURAL EXPERIENCE GRANTS
VIRTUAL ARTS & CULTURAL EXPERIENCE grants provide funding to create, support and/or enhance virtual or digital arts experiences, including live, recorded, and online artistic projects, performances or programming which have been adapted to alternative methods of sharing in response to the ongoing health crisis. Applications may include new, currently in-progress or on-going projects and programming. VIRTUAL ARTS & CULTURAL EXPERIENCE grants may be used to cover costs associated with these projects or programs, which can include, but is not limited to, staff wages, artist fees, technology, and material costs. Grant report required.
Maximum Grant Award: $1,000
Open to: Artists and all arts & cultural businesses (501c3 nonprofits & for profits)
Click here to apply
BIPOC ARTIST & SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT
BIPOC ARTIST & SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF grants to bring resources to BIPOC artists and BIPOC owned/led arts and cultural businesses that have been historically underfunded and impacted by COVID-19. BIPOC owned/led arts and cultural businesses have a majority (51%+) BIPOC representation of paid staff or the board of directors. No restrictions on use of grant funds. Grant report required.
Grant Award Amount: $500 each (set amount)
Open to: BIPOC artists and BIPOC-owned/led arts and cultural businesses (501c3 nonprofits & for profits)
Click here to apply