Gloucester Twp.'s Mainstage To Receive $90K In CARES Act Funding

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — The Mainstage Center for the Arts will receive $90,595 in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds to help it recoup some of the significant losses it has incurred during the coronavirus pandemic, the New Jersey State Council on the Arts announced.

It is part of $5 million in CARES Act funding that is being distributed to arts organizations statewide that was announced this week. Mainstage has not been able to perform shows due to the pandemic since March 15. Read more here: Pandemic Has Gloucester Twp.’s Mainstage Fighting For Survival

"New Jersey’s arts community is world renowned, attracting extraordinary talent and making a significant economic contribution to cities and towns throughout the state," Gov. Phil Murphy said. “These funds will support organizations statewide, allowing them to recover from their losses and keep New Jersey arts alive."

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“Arts organizations and artists throughout our state quickly sprang into action earlier this year, making and donating masks and other crucial protective equipment, all while continuing to create and share their art in new ways,” Secretary of State Tahesha Way said. “I am proud to work closely with the Governor and the Council to provide additional support for our state’s arts sector.”

Mainstage is one of 97 nonprofit arts organizations that are eligible to receive the CARES Act funds. Awards were determined through a tiered, need-based formula that considered each eligible applicant’s reported losses over the last nine months. The full list of recipients can be found on the state’s website.

"The Council is incredibly grateful to Governor Murphy and his Administration for recognizing the importance of New Jersey’s arts community,” Council Chair Elizabeth Mattson said. “As organizations have continued keeping safety top of mind by keeping their doors closed or limiting access, the financial need has become staggering. Sadly, the nature of what the arts do best — bring people together — means our sector will likely be one of the last to see a more complete recovery. These funds are coming at a critical moment, allowing these organizations to continue serving their communities during a time when the arts are needed more than ever.”

“As a member of the Governor’s Restart and Recovery Commission, I would like to thank Governor Murphy and his Administration for recognizing the significant need for financial support in the arts and culture sector,” Governor's Restart and Recovery Commission Member Evelyn McGee Colbert said. “While the pandemic required the arts sector to be one of the first to close, the sector’s innovative and collaborative efforts to continue to find ways to share information and support each other has been truly impressive. These grants will help many organizations at a critical moment when they are facing catastrophic losses.”