(Indianapolis, Indiana) - The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) announced today that a number of qualified Indiana arts organizations may apply to receive funds either directly from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) or through the IAC as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will provide $50 million to the NEA to be distributed nationally in grants to fund art projects and activities which preserve jobs in the nonprofit arts sector. Forty percent of these funds will be distributed to state arts agencies and regional arts organizations while the remaining 60 percent will be competitively awarded directly by the NEA.

"The NEA believes the Indiana Arts Commission is uniquely positioned to provide funds that will preserve jobs in Indiana's nonprofit arts sector," said Lewis C. Ricci, IAC executive director. "In just the past few months, many of our state's cultural organizations have announced staff reductions. These organizations are particularly threatened by declines in philanthropic and other financial support during this economic downturn."

The IAC expects to receive approximately $273,000 from the NEA for the ARRA grant program. The one-time economic stimulus opportunity will be open to all direct or indirect grantees of the IAC funded during the past two consecutive fiscal years. As many as 136 nonprofit arts organizations in the state will be eligible to apply for IAC Recovery Act Grants which will range from $15,000 to $25,000. In addition, there are 32 Indiana organizations which qualify to apply directly to the NEA for funds. The NEA grants are $25,000 or $50,000 grants. Organizations, if qualified, may apply both to the NEA and IAC, but may only receive funds from one source.

Grant requests must address salary support, full or partial (including contract labor), for one or more positions critical to the organization's artistic mission, and that may be in jeopardy or have been eliminated as a result of the current economic climate.

Lists of Indiana nonprofit arts organizations eligible to apply for the ARRA program from the IAC and/or the NEA can be found at www.in.gov/arts/. A detailed explanation of the IAC grant program and a link to the NEA grant program can also be found on the IAC website.

For more information about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act program for nonprofit arts organizations, visit www.arts.gov/recovery/nea-recovery-programs.html.

On behalf of the people of Indiana, the Indiana Arts Commission advocates engagement with the arts to enrich the quality of individual and community life.

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