New CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grants to Provide $16M to State's Cultural Sector
/To assist organizations as they recover from the global pandemic and work to become more accessible and sustainable, Connecticut Humanities (CTH) has opened the Connecticut Cultural Fund Operating Support Grants line, which will provide $16M in funding to eligible museums and cultural, humanities, and arts organizations in the state.
The CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grants line is part of $30.7M of support allocated to CTH over the next two years by Governor Ned Lamont and the Connecticut General Assembly: up to $20 million in FY 2022 and up to $10.7 million in FY 2023.
Following the success of the CARES Act grants and the Summer at the Museums Program, CTH continues their partnership with the Connecticut Office of the Arts, within the state’s Department of Economic and Community Development, to support non-profit arts and humanities organizations that continue to suffer from the effects of the pandemic.
These operating support grants will assist organizations to maintain and grow their ability to serve their community and the public, connect K-12 teachers and students to strong humanities and arts content, and improve their information technology and digital infrastructure.
“To continue on our path to becoming a more diverse, increasingly vibrant, and once-again thriving cultural sector, we will take to heart the lessons of the pandemic,” explains Lew Wallace, chairman of the board of directors at CT Humanities. “Equitable access to the arts and culture of our state will be the foremost driving force in our mission.”
It is expected that many organizations that were not eligible for previous relief funding, such as Shuttered Venue Operator or Save Our Stages Grants, will be able to access CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grants.
“The continued collaboration between CT Humanities and the CT Office of the Arts helps us to finally envision the totality of the state’s arts and humanities organizations,” said Elizabeth Shapiro, Director of Arts, Preservation & Museums for the state. “This will not only better serve the cultural sector, but it will ensure the richest cultural experiences for all residents. Our communities thrive when arts organizations, museums and cultural institutions thrive.”
Eligible organizations include Connecticut museums and 501c3 non-profit, municipal, or CT-based tribal nation organizations that provide cultural, humanities, and arts-based projects and activities for the public (i.e., museums, historic houses, historical societies, arts organizations, cultural centers, and other organizations that offer activities like exhibitions, performances, arts classes, public programs, or walking tours to the public).
Kathleen Maher, executive director at Bridgeport’s Barnum Museum, describes the fund as “a lifeline to this industry sector.” Maher noted, “This is an enormous relief. I, for one, am enormously grateful for the unyielding effort to make this funding equitable for everybody.”
Award amounts will be determined based upon an organization’s operating expenses, revenues, and deficits for the current fiscal year and preceding three fiscal years. The minimum grant award amount will be $5,000 and the maximum award amount will be $500,000.
Applications will be accepted through 11:59 pm on Monday, November 15, 2021. Award notifications will be made by the week of December 20, 2021. More information and application guidelines can be found at cthumanities.org/ct-cultural-fund-operating-support-grants.
“Connecticut is demonstrating its commitment to our cultural sector, and we will work tirelessly with our partners to strengthen and sustain our arts and cultural organizations and to connect our residents and visitors to these places that make our state such a wonderful place to live, work, and experience,” adds Dr. Jason Mancini, executive director at CT Humanities.
CTH, in collaboration with the CT Office of the Arts, the CT League of History Organizations, the CT Arts Alliance, and the state's Designated Regional Service Organizations will be conducting information sessions about the CT Cultural Fund Operating Support grants.
The latest details can be found at cthumanities.org/information-sessions-for-ct-cultural-fund-operating-support-grants/. An information session for potential applicants will be held on Thursday, October 28 at 12 Noon. Registration is available here.
Connecticut Humanities (CTH) is an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. CTH connects people to the humanities through grants, partnerships, and collaborative programs. CTH projects, administration, and program development are supported by state and federal matching funds, community foundations and gifts from private sources. Learn more by visiting cthumanities.org.
