Connecticut arts, humanities organizations eligible to receive federal CARES Act dollars, can apply for grants from state councils.

For additional information contact: Jason Mancini, CT Humanities Executive Director, JMancini@cthumanities.org or Elizabeth Shapiro, CT Office of the Arts Director of Arts, Preservation and Museums, Elizabeth.Shapiro@ct.gov

As part of the $2 trillion federal CARES Act passed by Congress to provide economic relief to the nation during the coronavirus pandemic, $75 million each was allocated to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to assist the many organizations operating within the cultural sector that preserve history, inspire creative thinking, nurture the arts, foster understanding between citizens, and maintain the nation’s identity as a diverse, free society.

Of that amount, 40% is designated to be divided among the state arts and humanities councils for distribution in their respective states. These councils are well-positioned to work with local arts, humanities and cultural organizations that are struggling to retain staff, remain in operation and serve their respective communities due to this crisis.

Currently, the Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) and Connecticut Humanities (CTH) are in the process of setting up systems for allocating CARES Act funds to arts and humanities organizations of all sizes throughout Connecticut. Both organizations intend to maximize the aid that is provided to cultural organizations in the state. The funding is intended for programming and general operating support.

Elizabeth Shapiro, Director of the Connecticut Office of the Arts noted, “We are exceedingly grateful to our Connecticut federal delegation for supporting funding for the National Endowment for the Arts in the CARES Act stimulus package. In the midst of incredible financial challenges, Connecticut artists and arts organizations are working harder than ever to provide interactive arts experiences in the virtual world to help educators and parents, and much needed creative outlets and stress relief to the people of CT. I am confident that the arts will provide the foundations of the bridge from our old world to our new reality.”

“As a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities, Connecticut Humanities will lead the effort to allocate CARES Act funding to Connecticut museums, cultural centers, historical societies, libraries, and other humanities organizations,” stated Jason Mancini, Executive Director of Connecticut Humanities.  “With the financial challenges that so many are facing during the coronavirus pandemic, we want to do everything we can to support and sustain the cultural infrastructure of Connecticut as a critical component of community vitality.”

Both Connecticut Humanities and the Connecticut Office of the Arts will have processes in place to disseminate these funds as soon as possible. When finalized, information about CARES grants will be posted on the COA website at https://portal.ct.gov/DECD/Services/Arts-and-Culture and on the CTH website at https://cthumanities.org/grants/.

About the Connecticut Office of the Arts

The Office of the Arts is the state agency charged with fostering the health of Connecticut’s creative economy. Part of the state’s Department of Economic and Community Development, the Office of the Arts is funded by the State of Connecticut as well as the National Endowment for the Arts.

About Connecticut Humanities

Connecticut Humanities is an independent, nonprofit, publicly supported foundation, established in 1973 through an initial planning grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.  CTH connects people to the humanities through grants, partnerships, and collaborative programs. Gifts from private sources for CTH projects, administration and program development, State funds, and additional Federal matching funds, provide further support.