Phoenix approves more than $2.5 million for art relief fund

PHOENIX — The Phoenix City Council has approved a relief fund to help the local art and cultural community during the coronavirus outbreak.

Using $2.6 million in federal coronavirus relief funding, the Phoenix City Council approved an art relief fund that will aid artists along with nonprofit and culture organizations hurting from the pandemic, the city said in a press release Tuesday.

“Phoenix artists, along with arts and culture organizations, are a vital part of our local economy and contribute to our well-being and a vibrant community,” Councilwoman Debra Stark, chair of the Land Use and Livability Subcommittee, said.

“Our artists and arts and culture organizations may have a long road ahead of them to get back on their feet, but we are hopeful the funding my Council colleagues and I approved will be helpful toward their recovery.”

The approval includes one-time emergency relief grants up to $50,000 to local arts and cultural groups who lost revenue from events, programs and performances being canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Additionally, local artists, whose income was lost due to cancellations or terminations since March 1, are eligible to receive grants up to $1,500.

The money provided for the art relief fund will be managed by the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture.

In the Phoenix area, it is predicted that arts and culture organizations will lose between $10,000 and $1 million, the city said.

“This vote represents one of the largest municipal investments in the arts sector nationwide — and it is a smart investment,” Mayor Kate Gallego said.

“The Phoenix arts and culture sector generates over $400 million annually. When the arts are supported, our quality of life improves and our local economy benefits.”

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