The Orange County Arts Commission has awarded a second round of emergency relief grants totaling $22,600 to 28 members of the Orange County arts community and seven art-related nonprofit organizations. Grant amounts for individuals ranged from $200-$600 and will help recipients with essential needs such as groceries, bills and healthcare expenses. Seven organizations also received $1,000 relief grants to help with operating expenses, including Art Therapy Institute, Chelsea Theater, Playmakers Repertory Company, Sisters’ Voices, VOICES Chapel Hill Chorus, FRANK Gallery and Hillsborough Arts Council. This disbursement cycle followed the first round of grants in April totaling $18,850. In total, the fund has provided $41,450 in relief funds to 73 artists and seven organizations.
“This support comes at a critical time goes directly toward necessary basic expenses like food and electricity,” said Chapel Hill visual artist Eric Serritella.
Funds have been collected through the Orange County Arts Support Fund, an online fundraiser to benefit artists, arts industry workers and arts organizations in Orange County. Almost $43,000 has been raised to date, made possible by 148 individual donors as well as contributions from the Triangle Community Foundation, Manbites Dog Theater Fund, Orange County Artists Guild, and Women’s Voices Chorus.
The loss of audiences has made the arts one of the most hard-hit industries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Orange County is home to approximately 4,000 creative industry workers and 170 arts and cultural nonprofit organizations*.
A third round of grants will open as funds become available. Donations can be made online or by check. For more information, visit www.artsorange.org/supportfund.