The Berkeley Arts Council was recently awarded a grant worth more than $6,600.00 through the American Rescue Plan: Operating Support for Arts Organizations program. The grant is intended to provide operating expenses for a specific period of time, to organizations that have suffered revenue losses from closings and cancellations due to the coronavirus pandemic.
This funding was provided through a program of the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History in association with the West Virginia Commission on the Arts. Anna Howard, President of the Berkeley Arts Council said, “By covering operating expenses for part of the year, we can continue to bring arts opportunities to the public. It is unusual that grants are available for operating expenses. We’re so appreciative that this grant will help address our needs and we can continue to focus on providing arts opportunities in the community.”
Per the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), “The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 is designed to fuel the nation’s recovery from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds allocated to the NEA in this legislation represent a significant commitment to the arts and a recognition of the value of the arts and culture sector to the nation’s economy and recovery. These funds are intended to help support jobs in the arts sector, keep the doors open to arts organizations nationwide, and assist the field in its response to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The Berkeley Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) non‐profit organization incorporated in West Virginia working to ensure that Berkeley County has a vibrant, vital arts environment by promoting awareness, understanding and appreciation of the literary, visual and performing arts in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. The Berkeley Arts Council supports local and regional artists, brings quality arts experiences to the community, and provides a wide range of arts learning experiences for local residents, artists and artisans.
