The Wisconsin Arts Board (WAB), with support from the National Endowment for the Arts through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), will distribute $778,200 through its Wisconsin Arts Rescue grants program in order to help secure jobs and keep the doors open to the hundreds of arts organizations in Wisconsin that add value to the state’s economy and bolster the creative life of our communities. Created in response to the continuing pandemic, these grants provide funding to arts organizations for pandemic-related losses sustained due to the cancellation of programming, operations and events.
This second round of WAB emergency grant funding is available to all of Wisconsin's nonprofit arts organizations, including those that have not received prior funding from other WAB programs. These funds are to be used for five main purposes:
A. Salary support, full or partial, for one or more staff positions
B. Fees/stipends for artists and/or contractual personnel
C. Facility costs, such as mortgage principal, rent and utilities
D. Costs associated with health and safety supplies for staff and/or visitors/audiences
E. Marketing and promotion costs associated with re-opening
WAB intends to make awards that will help arts organizations deal with the effects of COVID-19. Criteria for award determination will include an applicant's ability to submit the application in a timely manner, completeness of the application, the number of applications received, geographic distribution, Shuttered Venue Operating Grant (SVOG) funding and ARPA funding received from other sources. Organizations receiving $200,000 or more in SVOG awards are not eligible to receive WAB ARPA funds. Grant awards will be $3,000, $7,000 or $10,000.
All applicants must complete an application through SmartSimple to request funding. Applications open September 2, 2021 and must be submitted by 3 p.m. on October 14, 2021 to be considered for funding.
An informational webinar will be held on September 9, 2021 at 2 p.m. to provide an overview of the grant, its process, and how to apply. The recording will be available on our YouTube channel by September 10, 2021. Funds will be awarded in December, 2021.
Grant Questions?
Karen Goeschko - karen.goeschko@wisconsin.gov
Kaitlyn Berle - kaitlyn.berle@wisconsin.gov
SmartSimple questions?
Dale Johnson - dale.johnson@wisconsin.gov