Artists of all mediums in Iowa have been hit hard by the social distancing mandates of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs has launched efforts to support those individuals and groups.

The Iowa Arts and Culture Emergency Relief Fund program recently announced the first round of grants awarded, providing short-term financial relief for individuals and nonprofit organizations. Three of the individual awardees are from Dallas County, including crafter Maggie Howe and photographer Darcy Milder, both of Adel, and tattoo artist and crafter Nahlae Pattison of Perry. This was the first of two rounds for the program, which focused on individual Iowa artists and nonprofit arts organizations with operating expenses between $50,000 – $150,000. Individuals received $1,000 grants, and the nonprofits received $2,500.

The second round will focus entirely on arts and culture nonprofits, with the grant application window closing on May 1st and awards between $1,000 – $20,000. Due to an overwhelming amount of applicants for the first round, the IDCA may reopen the program to individuals later as more funds become available. For more information on the Iowa Arts and Culture Emergency Relief Fund, click the link below.

https://iowaculture.gov/arts/grants/iowa-arts-emergency-relief-fund