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INTRODUCTION
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) announced on April 10, 2009, the awarding of $19.8 million in one-time grants under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 to state arts agencies and regional arts organizations to support the arts sector of the economy. This funding is intended to act as a bridge of support to help the national arts industry weather the immediate economic storm while continuing to fulfill their artistic and public service goals. The Nevada Arts Council (NAC) received $300,500 from the NEA to distribute $250,000 in support of jobs in Nevada’s arts industry and $50,000 to support contracted positions that manage Nevada Touring Initiative, a statewide program in jeopardy that provides visual arts exhibits and writers in residence to Nevada’s rural and smaller communities and urban neighborhoods, and the federally mandated quarterly reporting requirements of the SNAP Grant Program. To deliver its stimulus funding in a timely, transparent and targeted manner, the NAC created the new SNAP Grants Program (Sustaining Nevada’s Arts Programs) to provide FY10 one-time stimulus funding of up to $10,000 for eligible applicants to: (1) preserve critical staff as well as contracted artists, specifically, those that are at risk of elimination or reduced hours due to the economic downturn; and (2) sustain arts programming throughout the state.
ARTS GROUPS REPORT ON STIMULUS FUNDING
The second quarterly report notes that 17 SNAP grantees (out of 38) requested draw-downs to support salaries of 22 full-and part-time positions, and contracts for 4 musical groups and two artists in residence. Executive Director Susan Boskoff noted, “”These reports clearly demonstrate that stimulus funding provides critical funding to Nevada’s arts industry. The individuals supported with stimulus funding are offering Nevadan's access to quality arts and arts education programs. They also contribute to local and state economies just like any other worker in Nevada.”
Comments from first-quarter SNAP Grant reports:
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Yerington Theatre for the Arts, Yerington - “SNAP funding was used to retain two of eight season performances which would have been lost due to budget cuts… We used the performances to spur spending in the community and provide a positive model in our community. We believe the effect will be long lasting. We have seen slow growth in audience numbers, and individual donations. Additionally, the restaurants and motels commented on the success and have indicated a desire to continue to partner with our organization.”
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The Note-Ables, Reno - “The Program Coordinator/Music Therapist has been primarily responsible for direct services… This position represents the combination of two positions that were previously part time. The creation of the new position has had a significant impact on our ability to continue - and increase - services. We have been able to increase our programming by 53% in just three months.”
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Nevada Shakespeare Company, Dayton - “Thanks to this vital SNAP grant, our [Company Manager] was able to assistant direct and perform the title role and lead workshop efforts in the schools for our touring production of Macbeth. Macbeth played to over 1,600 Nevada youth and adults in Lyon, Pershing, Storey and Washoe Counties in northern Nevada: Dayton, Winnemucca, Virginia City and Reno.”
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Carson City Arts Initiative, Carson City - “Due to SNAP funding, which enabled CCAI to hire [its Program Associate], we were able to present our community-wide Recycled Seconds program, which includes two exhibitions, artists' residencies and artist performances at Classy Seconds thrift store, Artist in Education workshops, and Nevada Neighbors lecture series at the Carson City Library.”
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Metro Arts of Southern Nevada, Las Vegas - “During the second quarter, the [Program/Outreach Director] maintained and managed the Metro Arts website, facilitated new memberships with phone lists, recruited volunteers to assist with community outreach, network meetings and professional development workshop planning.
SNAP GRANT REVIEW PROCESS - STIMULUS GRANTS AWARDED
A panel of sitting and past NAC Board Members reviewed 61 eligible applications during a day-long public hearing (Scoring Rubric). The panel’s funding recommendation, produced after examining four different allocation scenarios, was then considered for the full NAC Board. After a rigorous discussion, the Board approved full funding to eight organizations, with scores over 90, and the funding of 31 applicants with scores between 70 - 90 a proportionate amount of the remaining dollars. One-time grants of up to $10,000 were awarded to organizations with budgets ranging from less that $25,000 to over one million, from six counties and thirteen communities for FY10.
Tim Jones, board chair, commented on the review process, "The SNAP applications revealed the remarkable breadth of arts and cultural programming that Arts Council grantees provide to communities throughout our state. The Arts Council Board certainly could have awarded funding many times over the amount available. In the end, we recognized those applicants that presented a clear and compelling case, and a commitment to employ these precious dollars judiciously."
Four other Nevada arts organizations received stimulus funding through from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the Western States Arts Federation as part of their ARRA direct grants programs. Recipients of National Endowment direct grants are the Reno Chamber Orchestra ($25,000), Clark County Division of Cultural Affairs ($50,000) and Western Folklife Center ($50,000). Sierra Arts Foundation received a grant of $18,000 from the Western States Arts Federation.
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