City of New London ARPA
American Rescue Plan (ARP) Municipal Aid – Request for 1% to Arts & Culture
The American Rescue Plan delivered $350 billion for eligible state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments to respond to the COVID-19 emergency and bring back jobs.
As part of our recommendation that municipalities dedicate at least 1% of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to arts & culture, along with our suggested guidance for potential uses that address priority needs and ideas to integrate into your existing plans and goals, the Cultural Coalition offered municipalities fund administration support.
The City of New London allocated $130,000 municipal ARPA funds for arts & culture to be re-invested into the community through the Cultural Coalition.
Grant Administration & Management – Provides small arts and cultural based grants (min. $500 to max. $10,000) to New London’s arts & cultural businesses (for-profit and nonprofit) and individual artists.
Following review and decisions, grant recommendations will be sent to and approved by the Cultural District Commission and/or City Council. If the grants are undersubscribed, a second round of funding could be initiated or be dedicated to a city-wide initiative to be determined in consultation with and approved by Cultural District Commission.
ARPA Grants for Arts and Culture (2022 grant applications now closed)
Tentative Timeline for 1st Round of New London ARPA Grant for Arts & Culture (up to $10k)
First Week of May – Grant Application Opens
5/23/22 – Grant Application Closes
5/24/22 – Internal Grant Panel Review Begins
Early June – Recommended Grant Awards are Announced (pending City final approval)
June 2023 – Grant Reports Due
A total of $117,000 will be available with max. grant awards of $10,000.
Grant period is June 1 to December 31, 2022.
Applicants may request up to $10,000 in funding with a priority for small grants to individual artists, arts & cultural activities, initiatives and public events . Events, activities, and programs must take place in the City of New London and grant funds must be fully expended during the grant period.
Additional Information – Funds must be used to respond to the negative impacts of Covid-19. No match is required. One application per business/organization/artist is allowed. Grant awards will be all or nothing. No partial grants will be awarded.
Who is Eligible? Creative businesses (see Creative Economy Businesses list for eligible business types), individual artists, and non-profit organizations located in and have a history of serving the New London community and grant management are eligible for this grant program. Non-arts & cultural businesses or non-profit organizations that have a proposal for a public art project or initiative are eligible. City of New London municipal agencies and departments are not eligible for this funding. Applicants with local, State, or Federal tax delinquencies, other delinquent fees, or open regulatory violations will not be considered. Since this funding is related to COVID recovery, businesses must have been established before October 2021. Applicants with a fiscal sponsor are not eligible.
Relevant Information: