The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has announced a new initiative called ArtsHERE. The pilot program will provide grants and peer learning opportunities to arts organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to equity in not just their arts programming, but also in their internal practices.
ArtsHERE plans to award non-matching grants, ranging from $65,000 to $130,000 to approximately 95 nonprofit arts organizations. The grants will go towards specific projects that aim to increase arts participation and access to underserved groups and communities. Additionally, grantees will participate in peer learning and technical assistance programs.
The initiative is a partnership with South Arts and in collaboration with the other five U.S. Regional Arts Organizations.
“The NEA is committed to ensuring everyone in this nation has opportunities to live an artful life,” said NEA chair Maria Rosario Jackson in a statement. “ArtsHERE will make strides toward this goal with grants that will strengthen organizations’ efforts to advance inclusion and access to the arts.”
Susie Surkamer, president and CEO of South Arts, agreed. “We recognize that arts and culture are powerful tools for bringing together communities and people.”
The announcement of the initiative comes on the heels of the House of Representatives’ recent vote against a bill to cut NEA funding.
More information on ArtsHERE, including how to apply, can be found here.
