DENVER — Colorado Creative Industries (CCI) today announced that 156 Colorado arts organizations received $887,900 in COVID-19 economic relief funding through the Colorado Cares Act and COVID-19 Colorado Creatives Relief Fund.
The COVID-19 Colorado Creatives Relief Grant is a one-time payment to nonprofit arts organizations in Colorado with an annual operating budget of less than $1 million. Grants are for general operating support and award amounts are tiered from $4,000-$8,500, based on annual operating budget. Priority was given to small and mid-size organizations, particularly those working in underserved communities.
The CO CARES Act grant distributes federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts to nonprofit arts organizations in Colorado to help these entities and their employees endure the economic hardships caused by the forced closure of their operations due to the spread of COVID-19. These funds are intended to help save jobs in the arts sector and keep the doors open to the hundreds of organizations that add value to Colorado’s economy and the creative life of our communities. The award amount for each grant is $5,300. As a designated state arts agency, Colorado Creative Industries is an essential partner in distributing federal COVID-19 relief and sustaining the creative economy.
“Arts and cultural production accounts for $15.6B annually, and 4.5% of the Colorado economy, contributing 103,401 jobs,” said director of Colorado Creative Industries Margaret Hunt. “Research shows the arts and culture are an economic recovery asset and these investments are critical in order for Colorado’s creative sector to weather the storm of the recession.”
According to the National Governors Association’s Rural Prosperity and the Arts Report, creative industries are an agile industry cluster that was an engine of growth following the last recession and is a proven asset for rural as well as urban economic development.
About Colorado Creative Industries
Colorado Creative Industries, Colorado’s state arts agency is a division of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade. Established to capitalize on the immense potential of the creative sector to enhance economic growth, the mission of Colorado Creative Industries is to promote, support and expand the creative industries to drive Colorado’s economy, grow jobs and enhance our quality of life.