Ames Town & Gown Grateful for Iowa CARES funding

The Ames Town & Gown Chamber Music Association is pleased to be one of 173 recipients of grants distributed to cultural and humanities nonprofits statewide by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs in response to COVID-19's impact on cultural institutions. 

The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs announced today that it has awarded more than $1.1 million dollars in 173 grants statewide. This includes $923,372 for emergency relief and another $178,000 in humanities grants to help Iowa cultural organizations rebound from the financial impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

Among the recipients are art, history and children’s museums; arboretums and botanical gardens; aquariums and science centers; performing arts presenters and venues, vocal music groups and theaters; historical societies and historic homes; film and media organizations; and arts and cultural heritage festivals. 

Funding for the emergency relief grants was made possible by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs distributed CARES Act funds through its partnerships with the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, and Arts Midwest.

The grants are intended to support ongoing cultural projects, preserve jobs and keep the doors open at thousands of cultural organizations that boost the economy and creative life of communities.

“This is good news for Iowa’s arts, cultural and humanities organizations, which have been deeply affected by the pandemic,” Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs Director Chris Kramer said. “We’re so grateful for the unanimous support of Iowa’s congressional delegation for these funds, which help keep Iowans employed and communities vibrant.”

A recent survey conducted by Americans for the Arts showed that more than 340 Iowa arts and cultural organizations collectively lost at least $16.3 million since the coronavirus outbreak began. A study by the Iowa Economic Development Authority and University of Northern Iowa, revealed that arts, entertainment and recreation were among the hardest hit segments of the nonprofit industry in Iowa.

 “Here in Iowa in a typical year, the creative sector accounts for more than 42,000 jobs,” Director Kramer said. “These CARES Act grants will help one of our state’s largest industries rebound in the weeks and months ahead.”

A list of grant recipients is available here.