The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is announcing two programs to distribute American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds. These programs are open to nonprofit arts and culture organizations and local arts agencies, regardless of whether they have received NEA funding in the past. This is a change from previous emergency funding requirements at the NEA and expands access to federal funds for the arts and culture sector. The NEA encourages applications from first-time applicants, and will offer workshops, question-and-answer sessions, and other resources for those new to federal funding.

WESTAF is now accepting applications for the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Fund for Organizations.  Awards will be made to eligible arts and culture organizations throughout the 13-state WESTAF region (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai’i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming), with at least one grant awarded in each state.

The program will prioritize organizations most at risk from the effects of the pandemic, with individual grant disbursements of around $50,000 each.