Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Culver, Judge Announce $475,200 To Preserve Arts Jobs In Iowa
Iowa Arts Council, Arts Midwest, NEA award ARRA funding to preserve 323 arts jobs in Iowa
DES MOINES – Governor Chet Culver and Lt. Governor Patty Judge today announced $475,200 has been awarded to 18 Iowa organizations to preserve 323 jobs in the cultural arts across Iowa.
“Iowa arts organizations create and support thousands of jobs and generate millions of dollars in revenue while enhancing the quality of life in our communities,” Governor Culver said. “These funds for Iowa arts organizations will preserve arts jobs and help our economy continue to recover from this historic downturn.”
The awards – made by the Iowa Arts Council, Arts Midwest and the National Endowment for the Arts – are supported by funding from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The NEA, which awarded ARRA funding directly to arts organizations, also awarded ARRA funding to both the Iowa Arts Council and Arts Midwest for re-granting to preserve arts jobs.
“The arts play an important role in making our communities more diverse and attractive to new companies, which means more jobs for Iowans. These funds will not only protect hundreds of jobs, but help us create new jobs and grow our economy,” said Lt. Governor Judge.
The Iowa Arts Council awarded ARRA funding through the Iowa Arts Jobs Preservation Grant (IAJPG) program, which supports the retention of non-fundraising positions in Iowa arts organizations, as well as retention or extension of artist contracts in arts presenting organizations. The program does not support the engagement of personnel for new projects.
Arts Midwest, a non-profit regional arts organization headquartered in Minneapolis that serves audiences, arts organizations and artists in nine Midwestern states, partnered with the Iowa Arts Council to distribute the “Iowa portion” of its ARRA funding.
The Iowa Arts Council and Arts Midwest together received 54 eligible IAJPG applications and awarded $325,200 to 14 Iowa arts organizations, preserving 18 full-time, 13 part-time and 109 contracted jobs in Iowa. In addition, the NEA awarded $150,000 to four Iowa arts organizations, preserving 16 full-time, 91 part-time and 76 contracted arts jobs in Iowa.
Following is the list of Iowa arts organizations receiving ARRA funding from the Iowa Arts Council:
Ames: Octagon Center for the Arts - $25,000
Cedar Rapids: Iowa Art Works, a.k.a. Ambroz Art Advisory Board, Inc. - $25,000
Davenport: Iowa Alliance for Arts Education - $25,000
Decorah: Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum - $25,000
Des Moines: Ballet Des Moines - $20,000
Des Moines: Gateway Dance Theatre - $20,000
Des Moines: Metro Arts Alliance - $25,000
Dubuque: Bell Tower Productions - $20,800
Dubuque: Grand Opera House - $25,000
Marion: Red Cedar Chamber Music - $25,000
Red Oak: Performing Arts and Education Association of SW IA - $14,400
Waterloo: H. W. Grout Trust - $25,000
Waterloo: Waterloo Community Playhouse - $25,000
The following arts organization is receiving ARRA funding from Arts Midwest:
Cedar Rapids: Cedar Rapids Museum of Art - $25,000
Following is a list of Iowa arts organizations receiving ARRA funding from the NEA:
Amana: Old Creamery Theatre Company - $50,000
Cedar Rapids: Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra - $25,000
Des Moines: Edmundson Art Foundation, Inc. (Des Moines Art Center) - $50,000
Dubuque: Dubuque Symphony Orchestra - $25,000
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The Iowa Arts Council is a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs and works to enrich the quality of life for Iowans through support of the arts. Funding for the Iowa Arts Council and its programs is provided by the state of Iowa and the National Endowment for the Arts. More information at www.iowaartscouncil.org.
Arts Midwest is one of six regional arts organizations in the United States, serving the primary region of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Supported with funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, State Arts Agencies, and private sources. More information at www.artsmidwest.org.
The National Endowment for the Arts is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts, both new and established; bringing the arts to all Americans; and providing leadership in arts education. Established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government, the Arts Endowment is the largest annual national funder of the arts, bringing great art to all 50 states, including rural areas, inner cities, and military bases.
The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 is federal legislation enacted in order to stimulate the U.S. economy. More information at www.recovery.gov.