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Are the arts in New Jersey fully recovered from the pandemic? Arts organizations keep on keepin' on as best as they can, but ArtPride hears (based on late 2022 polling) that 50% of groups face budgetary deficits for FY24. Earned income is slowly rebuilding, but so are operational expenses due to inflation.
COVID-related federal relief fund programs ended except for American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds still available to the State of New Jersey. S2800/A2433 proposes $70 million for arts and cultural organizations to more completely recover from earned income and programmatic losses due to the pandemic. This bill is being heard by the Senate Economic Growth Committee Feb. 16 at 10:30 a.m.
Funds will provide grants to nonprofit and for-profit arts and cultural organizations through the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) to recoup lost revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and help build working capital to guard against future financial uncertainty. Funds will also support arts education programs and creative placemaking projects throughout the state.
Have your district legislators signed on as a co-sponsor of S2800/A2433? Find out here and here. If not, NOW is the time to connect via email or phone to ask for their support before all ARPA are allocated, and 0 is left for arts and culture recovery.
We know how vital the arts are to bustling downtowns. Take a moment today to connect with your state elected officials and ask them to co-sponsor this bill and move it forward for consideration by the full legislature.
Talking points explain the need for extended government support of arts and cultural organizations throughout New Jersey.
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