Federal money for the arts trickles down

Ten days ago the NEA announced their grants from the President's stimulus package.  In all $19.9 million was given out to state and regional arts agencies.

In our neighborhood the Southern Arts Federation in Atlanta received just over a half million and the North Carolina Arts Council (NCAC) received $339,100 in federal grants.

The NCAC announced that it, like other recipients of the stimulus money, will "re-grant the funds to support the preservation of critical jobs and artists' contracts".  Local arts councils, statewide service organizations, and organizations that currently receive General Support and Outreach grants are eligible.  North Carolina organizations have through June 1 to apply for the funds to NCAC.  

For more information about the North Carolina grants check out the NCAC's Economic Resource Recovery Room.  A full list of the organizations that received federal money from the NEA can be found here.

North Carolina Arts Council

Over the last year, Jennings has had the good fortune to work with some great clients in the arts: the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, the new Durham Performing Arts Center and the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival.

Because the arts community has been so good to Jennings it seemed like the time to give something back.  I recently called Rebecca Moore, senior program director for marketing at the North Carolina Arts Council, to ask how we could help.   The result is a pro-bono consulting program for non-profit arts organizations in the state.

Starting in March, we'll offer members of the NCAC a chance to discuss their marketing efforts and have the chance for feedback from our specialists in areas like strategic planning, copywriting, design, PR and media.  I'm very excited about the project because it's a first for both Jennings and the NCAC.

An official announcement will go out in NCAC's March/April newsletter for arts managers, ArtMatters.  As the program develops I'll share with you some of the interesting things NCAC members are doing.