The Tennessee Nonprofit Arts Cultural Recovery Fund grant is designed to help organizations that have experienced financial losses due to the pandemic. This is the second and final round of pandemic relief funding for the non-profit arts and culture sector. The purpose of the fund is to support the pandemic recovery of nonprofit arts organizations in Tennessee so that they can once again offer artistic programs and services that increase access to the arts, contribute to local economies, and improve the overall quality of life of Tennesseans. In order to be eligible for this grant, organizations must be legally incorporated in Tennessee and have a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service declaring them exempt from federal income tax under Section 501 (c), 3, of the Internal Revenue Code.
Additionally, applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have suffered losses related to the pandemic and have a history of administering federal grants at the Tennessee Arts Commission. The fund was authorized to grant grants to more than 200 eligible non-profit arts organizations to recover and provide artistic and cultural services that benefit local economies and quality of life in all senatorial districts of Tennessee. Examples of activities include, but are not limited to, public art projects; murals; virtual music, dance, or theater shows for the elderly; art programs for hospital staff, patients and their families; and virtual literary arts workshops. Applicants are strongly encouraged to speak with Liza Zenni, executive director of Arts & Culture Alliance, before submitting their application. All programs, services and facilities sponsored by the Tennessee Arts Commission are fully accessible to all artists and citizens of Tennessee. The funds allocated to the Tennessee Arts Commission, through the Tennessee Resilience Plan, represent a significant commitment and recognition of the value of the arts and culture sector for the state's economy and recovery by the governor of the state of Tennessee and the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group. If applicable, applicants must upload certain documents to their application in the Online Grant System.
These auditing requirements are more specific than those usually performed for beneficiaries of operational support from the Tennessee Arts Commission. The Tennessee Nonprofit Arts Cultural Recovery Fund grant provides a unique opportunity for nonprofit arts organizations in Tennessee to address the documented negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency. It is important to note that the definition of an arts organization may differ from what you are used to. Additionally, keep in mind that the program director assigned to your organization for this grant may not be the same member of the Commission staff with whom you normally work.
