The Andrew Mellon Foundation announced Tuesday it will give $10 million to small and midsize arts organizations around the country that have been hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The gift will be administered by six regional arts organizations, including Atlanta-based non-profit South Arts.
South Arts will distribute $1.65 million to arts groups in nine southeastern states — Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Ivan Schustak, director of communications and development at South Arts, said the group expects to offer grants of from $30,000 to $100,000 to 25-30 arts organizations.
The grants will go to small and midsize organizations, with annual budgets between $250,000 and $10 million.
Groups can nominate themselves, and South Arts will also be seeking suggestions from “nominators” throughout the southeast, said Schustak.
Nominations from southeastern groups must be received by midnight on June 23, and groups selected to fill out a full application will be notified by July 6, said Schustak. Applications will be by invitation only.
The grants are part of an effort by the Mellon Foundation to create a United States Regional Arts Resilience Fund to help arts presenters that have been crippled by the results of the pandemic.
“During times of darkness, the arts illuminate our shared humanity,” said Mellon Foundation president Elizabeth Alexander, in a statement. “When we’re socially distant and facing adversity, the arts bind us all together. They deliver a sense of community at a time when we’ve never been farther apart.”
Susie Surkamer, executive director of South Arts, and currently chair of the U.S. Regional Arts Organizations, said “The arts community is central to the fabric of humanity.”
Applicants will be judged based on these criteria, according to the Mellon Foundation:
● Exceptional artistic, cultural, and community impact
● Visionary leadership
● Demonstrated community engagement and support
● Statewide, regional or national impact
● Commitment to equity and inclusion
● Geographic distribution of awards: urban/rural, within a given region
● Track record of stability in fiscal management and ongoing operations
To nominate an organization and for more information, go to www.southarts.org
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