Once you have read this introduction go to the bottom of the page for a link to set up a free account and submit your application.  

Culture and Arts: Invest to Restart - A grant program of the Durham Arts Council supported by City of Durham American Rescue Plan Funds

Durham Arts Council (DAC) is utilizing $1 million in City of Durham ARPA funds to support the Durham arts and cultural community through three programs of grant support, and training to support career skills and business capacity development. Arts and cultural small businesses must be based in the City of Durham with a mailing address in the City of Durham to be eligible to apply. All beneficiaries of these programs must provide documentation of financial loss due to the COVID pandemic.

Arts and cultural small businesses that have an active FEIN (Federal Employer Identification Number other than your social security number) and are registered with the North Carolina Secretary of State are eligible for ARPA funding through Durham Arts Council to rebuild their capacity and sustainability to operate and provide programs and services in Durham. In addition to the explanation of the impact of COVID for your organization, the application process requests financial statements and/or tax returns for the years 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022.

Durham Arts Council strives to distribute grant funding to support and equitably represent the Durham community that we serve. Durham’s population is 57% BIPOC and 43% White. BIPOC owned or BIPOC focused organizations and businesses will be eligible for up to 14% in additional grant funding added to the base grant.  Durham Arts Council will encourage BIPOC businesses to apply and will assist them with additional support in the application process.  DAC is partnering with St. Joseph's Historic Foundation/Hayti Heritage Center to reach BIPOC nonprofit arts and cultural organizations.

A diverse review panel that is made up of content knowledge experts, community members, and organization or artists peers will review and score applications for grants depending on level of economic loss experienced by the organization as a result of the pandemic, and their expressed needs to build post-pandemic recovery and sustainability.

If your organization receives an award:

 ➢ The approved budget will be part of the beneficiary grant contract. 

 ➢ Grants will be issued in two ½ payments. An initial payment, then a subsequent payment following submission and approval of the quarterly report.  

➢Quarterly financial reports, including receipts and invoices for proof of expenditures, will be required from the beneficiary organizations receiving a grant. Report will describe detailed use of funds as specified in the approved budget. This quarterly financial report with required documentation for approved grant expenses will be required to receive the subsequent grant payment. 

➢ Business will be required to meet with a Durham Arts Council representative on a quarterly basis to provide general updates (i.e., financial, programmatic progress, impact, participation numbers, any issues, etc.). 

➢ A final report will be required detailing use of funds and describing the impact of the expenditures on the business's capacity and progress of recovery post-pandemic. In the final report the grant recipient will be asked to indicate how the ARPA funds helped them to do the following.  These are the federal ARPA “pillars” that are referenced in the City contract and also more generically in the federal ARPA rulebook.

• Restart their arts & cultural  organization/business,  venues, artist businesses – ensuring recovery and      survival post-pandemic;
• Provide positive arts and cultural experiences for Durham residents; 
• Grow in attracting and increasing tourism;
• Thrive as a creative business;
• Employ and retain talent in the Durham workforce; and
• Generate positive economic growth.

If you have questions, email dstroud@durhamarts.org. You may download a copy of the application questions here.