COVID-19 Arts Working Group (CAWG)
The Covid-19 Arts Working Group (CAWG), a collaboration of 15 foundations and a private donor in the Pittsburgh metro area, announces the Arts I Equity I Reimagined Fund, in response to the unprecedented and ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the region’s arts and cultural sector. The fund is intended to foster collective action and identify creative solutions to operating challenges as nonprofit arts organizations navigate these uncertain times. While the fund is open to all arts and cultural organizations, in recognition of long-standing disparities in funding, it will prioritize small to medium-sized arts organizations and those that serve or are led by historically marginalized communities in southwestern Pennsylvania, whether they be urban or rural in location.
Details about the Arts I Equity I Reimagined Fund, including eligibility requirements, deadlines, FAQs, the application process and guiding principles can be found at www.artsreimagined.org or by calling (412) 219-6584.
CAWG Grant Opportunities
Arts I Equity I Reimagined grants will support arts and cultural organizations located in any of the following Pennsylvania counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland. All 501(c)3 arts organizations, artist-driven projects, and unincorporated arts collectives are eligible to apply. Non-501(c)3 projects and collectives may use a fiscal sponsor to apply (assistance to find and secure a fiscal sponsor is available as part of this program). The program contains two unique opportunities:
1) Capacity Building Assistance – open to any arts organization or sponsored project with a budget of $2.5 million or less. Managed by PACE (Program to Aid Citizen Enterprise), this program is designed to quickly respond to requests to help nonprofits gain the skills or concrete strategies needed to address COVID-19 related challenges. Examples of assistance could include, but are not limited to: short-term action plans, financial planning, fundraising or marketing capacity, human resource assistance, anti-racism training, and other tools to create a sustainable future. With its long history of increasing the organizational capacity of nonprofits serving the African American and other marginalized communities, PACE is uniquely positioned to assist this effort.
2) Collective Action for Re-Imagining – collaborations, partnerships or networks of any budget size, comprised of three or more 501(c)3 arts organizations, artist-driven projects, and/or unincorporated arts collectives, are eligible to apply. Managed by New Sun Rising (NSR), this program seeks ideas that employ new, novel, and innovative ways of working together to address the dramatic shifts that have been instigated by the COVID-19 crisis, and that also address opportunities and solutions to reposition the sector for a more sustainable and equitable future. New Sun Rising (NSR) designs and implements programs that create economic opportunity, solve social challenges and strengthen community vibrancy. NSR will bring these strengths to help facilitate the funding of this work.
AER Live Info Sessions
See below for a list of free, live information sessions that will be open to any potential applicant and will provide a space where specific questions get answered right away in real time. Potential applicants may also submit questions for a quick response by email at the fund’s website: www.artsreimagined.org.
AER Live Info Sessions*
Session #1 – Thursday, Aug. 20, 9:00 a.m.**
Session #2 – Monday, Aug. 24, 3:00 p.m.
Session #3 – Tuesday, Aug. 25, 9:00 a.m.
Session #4 – TDC/Barr Foundation Webinar on Scenario Planning. Time/date TBD.
*Info sessions will be hosted virtually and made available for replay at www.artsreimagined.org.
**The Aug. 20 session is hosted by Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, Community Foundation of Fayette County, and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, and will address unique questions from potential applicants in rural and suburban counties. However, participants from any southwestern Pennsylvania location are welcome at any of the live sessions.
To participate in the Aug. 20 session, please register here: https://cfwestmoreland.org/CAWGInfoSession
Once you register, you will receive a confirmation email and a separate Zoom calendar invitation that includes the Zoom meeting link.
