October 24, 2024
An unprecedented level of federal funding made its way to the arts and culture sector as a result of relief programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. A large portion of this funding was distributed directly to arts organizations through federal programs, but a significant portion was redistributed by local entities.
In new research SMU DataArts explores how eleven local arts agencies advocated for and distributed this funding to their communities through document reviews, interviews, and qualitative data gathering.
The insights gleaned demonstrate the responsive and nimble ways these agencies operated throughout the pandemic, and the common tactics related to advocacy, process, and equity across all eleven cities may point to local arts agency best practices moving forward.
Eleven Local Arts Agencies adopted a variety of strategies to distribute a cumulative $100 million in relief funds to the arts and cultural sector nationwide. Several common practices emerged in three areas:
Advocacy
Process
Equity
Tuesday, November 12
Join us for an insightful webinar as we unpack key findings with two leaders from communities featured in the comprehensive study, Federal Recovery Funds for Local Arts and Culture: Tactics from 11 Creative Communities. Necole S. Irvin, Director, City of Houston, Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA) and Patrick Fisher, CEO, Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council will share insights and reflect on tactics implemented during critical moments throughout the pandemic.