In September, $25 million of South Carolina’s CARES Act funding from the federal government was allocated to a grant program specifically for nonprofit organizations in the state who have been hit by COVID-19 (read our update from September). The SCAA worked with Together SC on advocating for this program, and the SCAA worked with legislators to include the arts as one of six priority service areas. On December 30, all grants were announced, with awards of up to $50,000, including many to arts organizations. Here are some breakdowns on the program:
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$25 Million Available
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Grants up to $50,000
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1,600 applications submitted
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$75+ million requested in support
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686 Grants Awarded
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Average Award: $36,443
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All $25 million allocated
You can see the full list of grantees here >>
These grants went to various nonprofits in the state. The SCAA has requested, but not yet received, a sortable list of grantees so that we can pull out the total amount awarded to arts groups in the state, and the number of arts groups that applied, but we are working to get that data. We will update this post with that data when we get it.
Local Impact: For a look at what impact these grants have been making across the state, here is an article from the Post & Courier detailing how the Mill Town Players in Pelzer, SC, got their grant notification in the nick of time, saving the future of the town’s biggest driver of tourism. Here’s a quote from their Artistic Director, and the town’s Mayor, Will Ragland:
““Here on Lebby Street in downtown Pelzer, we are the only business that still is not open and that is true for so many of us,” said Ragland, who serves as Pelzer’s mayor.
The award announcement was not only a lifeline for Ragland’s organization but an acknowledgement of the important role the arts play in a community, he said. In a town of less than 1,500, Mill Town Players sold more than 30,000 tickets last year during its sixth season. Ragland said the economic and culture contributions of community theaters are often overlooked and the state’s decision to give his organization a lifeline is validating.”
What’s Next
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Grant funds will be distributed now through mid-January to recipients.
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It is clear that more support for the sector is needed. The Legislature returns January 12 and will begin work on the FY2022 budget. $2 million has been requested in one-time funding by the SC Arts Commission to support a COVID Relief Fund (along with other budget increases for the arts requested). Stay tuned for ways to take action and help secure that funding.
