Nevada County CARES for the Arts

Guidelines & Application 

BACKGROUND

The Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 recognizes that the nonprofit creative sector is an important part of America’s economy. In response to the COVID-19 public health crisis, the National Endowment for the Arts awarded 40 percent of its CARES appropriation directly to state and regional arts agencies.  As a state agency, the California Arts Council is distributing its share of funding to those among its State Local-Partners (SLPs) who elected to opt in. 

Nevada County Arts Council, as SLP for Nevada County, will distribute CARES Act funds among eligible applicant organizations or groups who serve socially vulnerable populations and, particularly, communities of color, impacted by COVID-19.

We are calling this opportunity, “Nevada County CARES for the Arts.” It aligns with both the California Arts Council’s public mission and commitment to racial equity, and Nevada County Arts Council’s own cultural equity principles, which respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages and ensure that all voices are valued and heard.

“Communities of Color” are identity-based communities that may share racial or ethnic characteristics among community members. We include what is often referred to as “BIPOC,” meaning Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color, emphasizing the historic oppression of black and indigenous people. Members of Communities of Color may self-define and may share a history of, or current experiences of, racism. Given that race is a socially-defined construct, definitions of these communities are dynamic and evolve with time. Recognizing this, and for the purposes of Nevada County CARES for the Arts grant opportunity, we define “communities of color” as including African Americans, Asian and Pacific Islanders, LatinX, and California Native Americans.

Grants will be awarded to organizations that serve socially vulnerable populations/communities of color in the amounts of $500–$5,000.

All applicants must meet the grant eligibility requirements listed below:

• Applicants must be arts and culture organizations or groups based in Nevada County, who serve communities of color:

• Nonprofit 501(c)(3) status is not required.

• The organization must include and represent the communities to be served.

• Organization mission must be deeply rooted in and reflective of the identified community or group.

• Arts activities, programs and/or services provided must be culturally relevant and responsive to the identified community or group.

• Priority will be given to general operating support, project-based support and/or the employment of cultural workers, and not the creation of new projects.

• A short report on program progress, and projected outcomes and expenditures is required by Monday, February 14, 2021.

• Organizations applying must not have received prior CARES funding. 

• Grants must support organizations that serve people that are socially vulnerable/of color through their mission and program or have a plan to provide services to constituents that meet these requirements.

• Creative services must increase social/racial equity through improving access to the organization.

• Organizations or groups applying must provide arts and culture services to residents of the Nevada County community.

• All programs must serve people that are socially vulnerable/of color with an opportunity that otherwise might not exist.  

• The award may not be used to supplant other state-funded expenses. It may not be used with other sub-granting CARES Act funds.  The award may not be used to support any of the following expenses:

• Individuals (as applicants)

• Hospitality or food costs

• Non-arts organizations that are not involved in arts activities (as applicants)

• Fundraising activities or services such as annual campaigns, fundraising events, or grant writing

• Programs or services intended for private use, or for use by restricted membership

• Projects with religious purposes

• Operational, administrative or indirect costs of schools, colleges, or universities, or any activities that are part of the curricular base of these institutions

• Trusts, endowment funds, or investments

• Capital outlay, including construction projects or purchase of land and buildings

• Equipment

• Debt repayment

• A funding match is not required.

• Priority will be given to general operating support, project-based support and/or the employment of cultural workers, and not the creation of new projects.

• Program or project must be completed by June 30, 2021.

• A short report on program outcomes and expenditures is required by July 15, 2021.

We are here to help. If you have any questions, please send us an email to director@nevadacountyarts.org, with “Nevada County CARES for the Arts” in the subject line, or call us at 530-718-0727.  Please allow at least 24 hours for a response.