Small businesses in arts, heritage and science invited to apply for COVID recovery grant

The Washington State Department of Commerce and ArtsWA invite small businesses in the arts, heritage and science sectors to apply for a COVID Impacts Recovery Grant. This grant will provide one-time grants up to $5,000 to eligible Washington businesses and nonprofits, and applications are open now through Wednesday, Nov, 1, 2023, at 5 p.m.

Examples of eligible businesses:

• Performing Arts Company (Theatre, Dance, Music, etc.)
• Live Entertainment Venue
• Environment, Conservation or Wildlife Organization
• Museum or Historical Organization
• Arts, Heritage, or Science Educational Institution
• Art Gallery
• Graphic design
• Photography
• Independent Artist, Writer, or Performer

Grant funding is limited to $5,000 per application. This is based on our goal of providing meaningful funding impact with a limited funding pool.

All eligible organizations are encouraged to apply. However, to ensure funding reaches Washington’s most vulnerable businesses and those that have not yet received pandemic relief support, special consideration in awarding funds will be given to:

• businesses that have not received funding from the following Commerce and ArtsWA programs: Working Washington Grants– Rounds 1-5, Border Business Relief Grants, Small Business Relief Grants, Convention Center Grants, COVID Safety Support for Large Organizations, NW Disaster Recovery, or Hospitality Grants
• businesses owned by members of historically disadvantaged or underserved populations
• our state’s smallest businesses with gross annual revenues of $50,000 or less in the 2022 calendar year
• businesses located in one of the 15 counties identified by the state as a distressed area.

Applicants should expect to be notified on the status of their application the week of Jan. 8, 2024, and funds dispersal will take place at the end of January.

Funds for this program are provided by Washington State Legislature, the Washington Department of Commerce, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. 

Questions can be directed to:
Britt Madsen, ArtsWA Grants to Organizations Program Specialist: britt.madsen@arts.wa.gov
Miguel Guillén, ArtsWA Grants to Organizations Program Manager: miguel.guillen@arts.wa.gov

For more information and to apply, visit COVID Impacts Recovery Grant - ArtsWA