Dear DCA Grantees:

The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act signed by President Obama on February 17, 2009 provided $50 million to support jobs in the arts through NEA grants. As you may be aware, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has released grant guidelines to apply for economic stimulus and job recovery arts funds.

Details and application guidelines can be found on the NEA Recovery webpage:

http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/recovery/index.html

These guidelines provide application dates, eligibility criteria, and potential project outlines.

To expedite the release of funds and preserve jobs in the arts industry, the NEA has set up a fast track process for grant application and award notice. The deadline for applying for the direct grants is April 2, 2009, with grants being awarded as early as July 1, 2009. These direct grants will be available to arts organizations as non-matching one-time grants of $25,000 or $50,000. Eligible uses for these funds include salary support and support for artist fees and/or contract personnel. Local arts agencies, such as DCA, are eligible for up to $250,000 to be used for re-granting to community arts organizations.

The NEA is requiring that any applicant for the direct grants must have received an NEA grant within the last four years. The agency set this requirement as a result of directions received from the White House Office of Management & Budget (OMB). OMB recommended obligating funds to existing award recipients as a method of ensuring quality and allow for quick consideration of the applicant pool.

I know that many of you have been struggling. Not only have several jobs and programs been cut, but entire organizations with long histories of serving the residents of Los Angeles have been eliminated or are in jeopardy. Please consider applying for this one-time federal opportunity, and let's work together to foster LA's creative strength and provide a better future for Los Angeles.

Sincerely,
 
Olga Garay