The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) announced nine Vermont arts and cultural organizations will receive $629,154 in highly competitive direct grants through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to mitigate the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In southern Vermont, NEA grantees included Yellow Barn in Putney and the Weston Playhouse. Both received $50,000. Ten grants were awarded statewide.
The NEA reviewed more than 3,110 eligible CARES Act applications from across the United States, requesting approximately $157 million. The agency supported 855 projects, with funds for direct grants totaling approximately $44.5 million.
The NEH received more than 2,300 eligible applications from cultural organizations requesting more than $370 million and were able to support 317 projects, with funds for direct grants totaling approximately $40.3 million.
“We know the competition for federal funds is always stiff, but especially now when the arts and culture sector is struggling,” said Vermont Arts Council Executive Director Karen Mittelman.
She said the grants “recognize the incredible value of creativity and artistic practice in the midst of the pandemic, and the vitality that arts organizations bring to our communities.”