Arts Center East Receiving State Coronavirus Grant

VERNON, CT — Arts Center East in Vernon is one of 154 nonprofit arts organizations in Connecticut that will be receiving $9 million in grants this month under a program initiated by Gov. Ned Lamont's administration to provide support to amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The facility is receiving $9,500.

The COVID Relief Fund for the Arts, which is administered by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development was created to support arts nonprofits that:

• Are performing arts centers, schools of the arts, or performing groups for whom grants will make a difference in terms of survival or rehiring; and
• Have had to curtail operations for a period of time due to the pandemic and which have had limited ability to reopen due to pandemic restrictions or have had to pivot their service delivery due to pandemic restrictions.

Qualifying organizations are receive base grants of $5,000.

For organizations that have raised funds between March 10 and Nov. 1, the program will offer a supplemental match of up to 50 percent of contributed income during that period. The program uses federal CARES Act funding from the state’s Coronavirus Relief Fund.

"Connecticut's arts community provides an incredible amount of good for our state and supports thousands of jobs," Lamont said. "Like nearly every segment of our communities, many of nonprofit arts organizations are struggling to recover from its impact. These grants will provide some needed support so that these groups can continue providing the services in our state that on which many depend."

The year has presented unprecedented challenges to Connecticut's arts organizations, said Liz Shapiro, DECD's director of arts, preservation, and museums.

“These organizations play a critical role in shaping the character of our communities, providing forums for engaging public dialogue, and positively impacting the economy," she added. "While we are thrilled to offer this support, it is important to understand that this funding, while certainly helpful, does not solve these organizations’ financial challenges. I strongly encourage residents and donors to do everything they can to support these organizations in the months ahead."