FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – June 26, 2020 – Broward Cultural Division has awarded $428,000 in financial assistance to 38 Broward-based non-profit cultural organizations impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. The one-time grants ranging from $2,500 to $20,000 were awarded to help preserve jobs in Broward County’s arts community. The assistance was provided through the Broward Arts Relief Fund, a newly created supplemental grant program.

The arts have been among the hardest hit sectors of the COVID-19 crisis. From March through May alone, Broward-based arts organizations lost more than $21 million, nearly 1,000 jobs and more than half a million lost visitors due to the pandemic, according to survey results compiled by the Cultural Division. Nationally, the pandemic has had a $6.7 billion total economic impact on the nonprofit arts and culture sector, according to this survey by Americans for the Arts.

“We recognized early on that we needed to do everything possible to sustain our arts community and preserve jobs,” said Cultural Division Director Phillip Dunlap. “We will be continuing our efforts as artists and organizations work to stay connected with their audiences and prepare to reopen during the months ahead. It’s also important to note that the arts are both a vital resource for the community as well as a significant economic driver for the entire region.”

The Broward Arts Relief Fund was made possible from sales proceeds from the Florida Arts License Plate Program. Funding was distributed to Broward-based non-profit organizations that received general operating support from the Cultural Division during the 2020 fiscal year. Grantees must use funds for reimbursable expenses incurred between March 1 and September 30, 2020 that include salaries for positions critical to an organization’s artistic mission or are in jeopardy of elimination as a result of the pandemic and current economic climate. Fees for previously engaged artistic contractual services that have been eliminated or are in danger of being eliminated by September 30, 2020 were also eligible for funding. 

For more information about the local economic impact of COVID-19 on the arts, view Division Director Phillip Dunlap’s communications here.

View the organizations awarded grants and how this funding is supporting the arts community, on ArtsCalendar.com here. 

Broward Cultural Division supports the County's development of arts and culture. For more about the Cultural Division and its services, follow on Facebook and Instagram or visit Broward.org/Arts.

DATE: June 26, 2020
MEDIA CONTACT: Meredith Clements
Broward Cultural Division
PHONE: 954-357-7463
EMAIL: mclements@broward.org