“Salsa Stories” in New York in 2022. (Photo by Andre Cypriano)
DALLAS: SMU DataArts published a new report, Federal stimulus funds for local arts and culture: tactics from 11 creative communitieswhich examines how local arts agencies (LAAs) distributed federal relief funds to arts and cultural organizations in 11 geographically diverse cities during the Covid pandemic. The insights gleaned from this analysis demonstrate the responsive and agile way in which LAAs have operated throughout the pandemic, and how the common tactics related to advocacy, processes, and equity that have emerged across the 11 cities may have positive implications for LAA practices in the future.
“Times of crisis can mobilize communities to focus and act on priorities,” Daniel Fonner, SMU DataArts associate director for research, said in a statement. “In redistributing federal COVID-19 relief funds, these agencies prioritized equity, removing barriers to funding and closing gaps in support and recovery opportunities at the local level. This report demonstrates the diversity of ways in which our local arts agencies play a key role in serving their communities.
For the first time since the Works Progress Administration (WPA) of the 1930s, cultural organizations were explicitly eligible for and received significant federal relief funds. Under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which was signed into law in March 2021, and the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program, the U.S. Department of the Treasury has allocated funds to approximately 30,000 entities local and state governments around the world. the country for redistribution to local businesses and individuals affected by Covid. The study covers a period from approximately the end of 2022 to 2024.
The report identifies key tactics that were commonly used by 11 municipalities to efficiently and equitably distribute unprecedented levels of relief funds to artists and cultural organizations that are essential to the economy, civic and social engagement and quality of life.
The 11 communities and LAAs studied by the report are:
- Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs
- Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
- Cuyahoga Arts & Culture / Assembly for the Arts (Cuyahoga County/Cleveland)
- Denver Arts & Places
- Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs
- Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture
- New York City Department of Cultural Affairs
- Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture
- Arts Council of Greater Pittsburgh
- City of Seattle Office of Arts and Culture
- St. Louis Regional Arts Commission
The 11 LAAs adopted various strategies to distribute a cumulative $100 million in SLFRF funds for the arts. Several common practices have emerged in three areas:
- Advocacy: LAAs have advocated more effectively for federal relief funds through both local efforts and partnerships between government agencies in other sectors.
- Process: Many LAAs have streamlined requests and reporting requirements to deliver funds as efficiently as possible.
- Equity: Fair and equitable distribution of funds included considerations related to geographic distribution and prioritizing service to communities most in need.
The report was prepared with the support of Bloomberg Associatesa philanthropic consultancy that advises cities around the world and is part of Bloomberg Philanthropiesan organization that brings together all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s donations and works to ensure better, longer lives for as many people as possible.
“In allocating federal relief dollars to arts and culture, municipal leaders across the country have affirmed that the sector is essential to quality of life and recovery from a pandemic,” said Kate D. Levin, director of Bloomberg Associates and head of the arts program at Bloomberg Philanthropies. , in a press release. “This report highlights the effective management of local arts agencies in 11 cities during this time of acute crisis. »
SMU DataArts, the National Center for Arts Research, is a project of the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University. The mission of SMU DataArts is to provide and engage organizations and individuals with the evidence-based information needed to collectively build strong, vibrant, and equitable arts communities. Its research efforts range from academic articles published in leading journals, applied research undertaken with community partners, and actionable knowledge shared directly with arts practitioners. Its programs provide business intelligence tools and resources to help arts leaders leverage data to answer critical management questions and connect research analytics to their own work. Recent publications include research reports on the scope of federal COVID-19 relief funding for the arts; exit from the COVID-19 crisis; the alchemy that drives high-level artistic organizations of color; audience diversity, equity and inclusion in major performing arts organizations; impact of investments made in diverse creative communities; and more.
