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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | June 2, 2022 12:18 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Tim Briggs |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | American Rescue Plan (ARP) Dollars for Arts and Culture |
| Since 2013, I have had the opportunity to serve as co-chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Arts and Culture Caucus. During this time, I have garnered a greater understanding and appreciation of our nationally recognized arts and cultural institutions and the role they play in a healthy and vibrant Commonwealth. Similar to many of our small businesses, these arts and cultural institutions were negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. While some of them received financial assistance, many of are still struggling. As such, I plan to introduce a companion bill here in the House of Representatives to Senate Bill 1185, which was introduced by Senator Tim Kearney. My legislation would allocate $25,000,000 from American Rescue Plan dollars to support arts and culture programs and facilities throughout Pennsylvania. It is intended to target organizations that may have missed out on previous programs provided during the pandemic. Specifically, the legislation would have three components: 1. A $10 million allocation of funding to be administered regionally by the Pennsylvania Council on the Art’s (PCA) Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts regranting partners to be allocated on a per county per capita basis. Applicants would be eligible to apply for non-matching grants up to $10,000. These grants would target small arts organizations. 2. A $10 million allocation of funding to PCA directly for non-matching grants up to $25,000. Eligible applicants are current year grantees of PCA’s Arts Organizations and Arts Programs, Entry Track, or Preserving Diverse Cultures (Intermediate or Advanced levels) funding programs; and organizations that have not been awarded, in aggregate, $500,000 or more in federal relief funds. These funds will target smaller to mid-sized organization. 3. An additional $5 million allocation to PCA to administer a program to support community recovery and resiliency through the arts. These funds would support partnerships among public, private, and non-profit entities to enhance the physical, economic, and social character of their communities. Grants would be provided of up to $100,000 based on a competitive review process and priority would be given to applications that provide matching funds and support activity in low-income communities as defined by the Small Business Administration or counties in “transition” status defined by the Appalachian Regional Commission. I hope you will consider joining me by co-sponsoring this measure. |
Introduced as HB2683