CityLit Project will receive a $100,000 Grant
from the National Endowment for the Arts as part of the American Rescue Plan
Baltimore, Md. (January 27, 2022) — CityLit Project is pleased to announce it has been approved to receive an American Rescue Plan grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to help the arts and cultural sector recover from the pandemic. CityLit is recommended to receive $100,000 and may use it to save jobs, secure operations, obtain health and safety supplies, and support marketing to encourage attendance and participation. In total, the NEA will award grants totaling $57,750,000 to 567 arts organizations in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Washington, DC.
“Our nation’s arts sector has been among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Endowment for the Arts’ American Rescue Plan will help arts organizations, such as CityLit Project, rebuild and reopen,” said Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson, chair of the NEA. “The arts are crucial in helping America’s communities heal, unite, and inspire, as well as essential to our nation’s economic recovery.”
“These last two years, our commitment to elevate the literary arts in Baltimore with a multitude of voices has been ever more prevalent, despite the challenges. Thank you, NEA, for recognizing our work in this significant way,” says Carla Du Pree, executive director. “As a staff of one with a small committed board, this ARP award is the torch we need to forge a way to build on our future.”
According to Board Chair, Dana Harris-Trovato, “We are immensely grateful for this national validation of our work. NEA understands the important ways we raise a platform for new voices and curate critical discussions on pressing social issues. This two-year award will strengthen our impact for years to come.”
CityLit plans to secure administrative assistance as this small nonprofit grows its capacity, and continues to curate literary events that serve readers and writers beyond the state. Its upcoming 19th CityLit Festival, held both live and virtual throughout March, engages local, regional, and statewide partnerships. Raising awareness of the literary arts with notable talent is just one example of the many ways CityLit will utilize this resource.
The American Rescue Plan was signed into law in March 2021 when the NEA was provided $135 million for the arts sector. This funding is the third installment providing more than $57.7 million for arts organizations.
For more information on the NEA’s American Rescue Plan grants, including the full list of arts organizations funded in this announcement, visit www.arts.gov/COVID-19/the-american-rescue-plan.