City of Miami Beach Launches Emergency Cultural Arts Fund
City of Miami Beach Launches Emergency Cultural Arts Fund
– $1M Support to Sustain Local Cultural Institutions –
The COVID-19 pandemic is resulting in unprecedented financial loss to cultural organizations nationwide. To date, Miami Beach based cultural organizations are collectively reporting over $7M in lost revenue in the first two months of closures. In an effort to address the extraordinary need in the Miami Beach arts community — and to support the very institutions that promote, encourage and protect the history, spirit and ethos of Miami Beach — the City Commission and the Cultural Arts Council have approved the use of an emergency reserve fund, established in 1998, to launch the Miami Beach Cultural Arts COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund (the “Fund”).
The Fund will provide grant support for operating funds to organizations physically based in the City of Miami Beach, whose primary mission is year-round artistic and cultural programming that contributes significantly to the cultural life of the city. Applications are open to these organizations from May 11 through May 29, 2020.
“Our cultural institutions make up the unique fabric of Miami Beach,” said Mayor Dan Gelber. “These grants will provide a lifeline to our city’s arts and culture community during these unprecedented times.”
Eligible organizations are required to demonstrate need, provide proof of a 1:1 match for the requested amount of funds, and operate and maintain a primary physical address within the City of Miami Beach. The Fund will be granted in segments up to $50,000 for institutions with annual organizational budgets below $750,000, up to $75,000 for institutions with annual organizational budgets between $750,000 and 3.5M, and up to $100,000 for institutions with annual organizational budgets at or above $3.5M.
“Our cultural institutions have been “hit hard” as a result of the COVID-19 crisis,” added Commissioner David Richardson. “This special program will assist these institutions survive the crisis, and continue to be part of the many cultural experiences that enhance our resident and tourist offerings. I’m proud to support this initiative.”
Organizations interested in applying are invited to visit the following link for further information and application instructions: www.mbartsandculture.org/grants.
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About the Miami Beach Cultural Arts Council
The Cultural Arts Council (CAC) is an eleven-member council created in 1997 for the purpose of developing, coordinating and promoting the performing and visual arts in the City of Miami Beach. The CAC serves as arts advocates before governmental bodies, coordinates collective marketing initiatives for the local arts community and funds not-for-profit arts organizations. Since the program’s inception, the CAC has awarded approximately $18 million in cultural arts grants, supporting thousands of performances, exhibits, and other cultural activities in Miami Beach.
Contact: David Simantov