Arts Alliance urges nonprofits to seek ARRA funds

Hawaii arts and culture nonprofits may be able to receive more funding. "We want to make sure that your arts group receives the most funds for your particular eligibility,” said Marla Momi Musick, Hawaii Arts Alliance communications director and state captain for arts advocacy for Americans for the Arts.

There are three sources of grant funding for arts organizations now available from the stimulus package, the American Relief and Recovery Act: Nationally, there is the National Endowment for the Arts; regionally, there is the Western States Art Federation; and locally, there is the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, Musick said.

ARRA funds are separate from regular program grants. “If you have already applied for a Biennium Grant from SFCA, you may still be eligible for one of the other sources of ARRA funds,” she said.

There are specific criteria for each, and to investigate an organization’s eligibility, they can contact Estelle Enoki at the State Foundation for Culture and the Arts, estelle.enoki@hawaii.gov or go to the SFCA website and click on "What's New" and "Grants, Events, Services."

On May 7, President Obama sent his budget request to Congress, and this year there was no gutting of cultural funding. Now, it heads to the House and Senate to continue the appropriations process. For the first time in 8 years, the arts education programs at the U.S. Department of Education were not zeroed out; however, they are level funded-no increase, Musick said.

“Also note that the Cultural Exchange number is the department-not the actual program, but we hope that with this big increase in funds, some money will reach the Performing Arts Initiative and cultural grant programs that we advocate for,” she said. Here is a breakdown from the Arts Alliance showing what the president has requested compared to the budget passed last year: