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In 2023, the Arts Commission created an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Arts Recovery Program to support local nonprofit arts and cultural organizations by investing $1 million of federal ARPA funds to address significant arts community issues impacting these organizations’ ability to rebuild after the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Phase 1: Venue Reactivation Support Initiative
In the first phase of the ARPA Arts Recovery Program, the Raleigh Arts Commission will allocate ARPA funds for the Venue Reactivation Support Initiative, an initiative that will make it easier for Raleigh nonprofit arts and cultural organizations to produce events at City-owned venues, specifically the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, the Raleigh Convention Center, and Red Hat Amphitheatre.
Modeled on a successful Denver Arts & Venues ARPA program, the Venue Reactivation Support Initiative will utilize $300,000 of ARPA money to offer a reduction in program costs to Raleigh nonprofit arts and cultural organizations to produce performances or events at specific City venues between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. Funds will cover specific third-party costs typically billed back to arts and cultural organizations, such as security, union stage labor, lighting/sound equipment, and ADA accommodations. It is estimated that Venue Reactivation Support may cut typical event/performance bills by about 5%-15%.
The Venue Reactive Support Initiative closed on May 26, 2023. Applicant notifications will be emailed no later than Friday, June 23. The 2023-2024 Venue Reactivation Support Initiative will support arts programming that runs from July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024.
About Raleigh's American Rescue Plan Act Programs
The City of Raleigh received $73.2 million that must be spent by December 2026 through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021. It was signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11, 2021. City Council allocated $1 million of ARPA funds for Art Agency Grants and directed the Raleigh Arts Commission to work with staff to develop and conduct a process to support local arts and cultural organizations.
The City of Raleigh has identified five areas of funding for ARPA funds:
- Economic Recovery
- Housing/ Homelessness
- Community Health
- Transit
- Infrastructure
Learn more about Raleigh's American Rescue Plan Act Programs
