$500,000 for Creative Workers, Organizations, Businesses and Culture Bearers in Michigan

The Creative Washtenaw is accepting applications for its Arts + Creative Industries Economic Recovery grant program.

Donor Name: Creative Washtenaw

State: Michigan

City: Ann Arbor

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline: 08/31/2023

Size of the Grant:

For Arts + Creative businesses (nonprofit or for profit): $5,000 to $10,000
For Artists and creative workers: Up to $6,000

Details:

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Final Rule -The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), a part of the American Rescue Plan, delivers $350 billion to state, local, and Tribal governments across the country to support their response to and recovery from the COVID-19 public health emergency. The program ensures that governments have the resources needed to:

Fight the pandemic and support families and businesses struggling with its public health and economic impacts
Maintain vital public services, even amid declines in revenue, and
Build a strong, resilient, and equitable recovery by making investments that support long-term growth and opportunity.

The City of Ann Arbor ARPA Allocation

$500,000 of the City of Ann Arbor’s ARPA allocation is to be distributed in the form of grants providing retroactive COVID relief and recovery aid and/or new projects and distributed as follows:

$280,000 – aid in the recovery and sustainability of Ann Arbor’s artists, creative workers, organizations and businesses.
$180,000 – for arts and creative initiatives that support or provide services to youth, BIPOC and other marginalized populations.
$40,000 – project management fee to Creative Washtenaw.
The City of Ann Arbor reserves the right to adjust the distribution, purposes and grant allocation amounts upon review of the number of applicants and amounts requested.

Eligibility Criteria

Primary Applicant(s) – Established residents or businesses in the City of Ann Arbor (city limits)
- Primary applicants must be current City of Ann Arbor residents or businesses able to provide proof of established residency and or business operations prior to March 13, 2020 and at time of application.
- Artists and creative workers must be able to supply proof of earnings as a creative prior to March 13, 2020 (such as W2, 1099, past contracts, bookings, etc.)
Secondary Applicant(s) – may be artists, creatives or businesses who do not reside or have businesses in Ann Arbor, MI.
Making the Case – Applicants must provide a compelling case describing the impact of the COVID pandemic and how, if funded, they will utilize and benefit from ARPA grant funds.
Arts + Creative businesses (nonprofit or for profit) registered in Michigan.
- SVOG Exclusion – Ann Arbor organizations or businesses who received Shuttered Venue Operating Grants are NOT eligible to apply.
- Small to medium organizations, agencies or businesses with budgets of less than $750,000.
- Grant range $5,000 to $10,000.
- Purposes
  - Recovery and sustainability grants – Funds may support recovery costs, wages, fees, stipends, facility, operational and back-office expenses, promotion and health & safety supplies or equipment.
  - Arts and creative initiatives that support or provide services to youth, BIPOC and other marginalized populations.
Artists and creative workers (including gig workers)
- Grants up to $6,000.
- Purposes
  - Recovery costs, artist fees/stipends, presentations, workshops, research and/or the creation of artwork and projects.
  - Arts and creative initiatives that support or provide services to youth, BIPOC and other marginalized populations.