Nevada Arts Council

SNAP Home | SNAP Guidelines | SNAP FAQs |
| SNAP Press Releases | WESTAF Stimulus Grant |  SNAP Final Report

INTRODUCTION

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) announced on April 10, 2009, the awarding of $19.8 million in one-time grants under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 to state arts agencies and regional arts organizations in support of the arts sector of the economy. This funding was intended to act as a bridge of support to help the national arts industry weather the immediate economic storm while continuing to fulfill their artistic and public service goals.

The Nevada Arts Council (NAC) received $300,500 from the NEA -  $250,500 to distribute through grants in support of jobs in Nevada’s arts industry and $50,000 to support two contracted positions: one that manages the Nevada Touring Initiative, a statewide program in jeopardy that provides visual arts exhibits and writers in residence throughout the state, and one to manage the SNAP Grant Program and help with NAC ongoing grants management. 

ARTS GROUPS REPORT ON STIMULUS FUNDING

Final reports noted that SNAP grants supported 12 full-time positions, eight part-time positions and 236 contracts with artists and other professionals in the creative workforce. SNAP grantees reported that in FY10 ARRA funding supported a cumulative of 12,315 hours worked on arts and cultural programs available to Nevadans and visitors to the state. The two positions at NAC supported with stimulus funding charged ARRA for 933.22 hours of work.

Susan Boskoff, NAC executive director commented, “These federal stimulus dollars absolutely saved jobs and programs in Nevada’s cultural industry, which in turn provided access to cultural programs that might have disappeared. The SNAP Program demonstrated the power of public/private initiatives as well as the commitment of Nevada’s arts sector to provide solutions to our state’s economic challenges. It’s a shame that we cannot continue this program in FY11.”

In detailed quarterly reports, required of all ARRA grantees, SNAP recipients provided both anecdotal and budget information on their use of this vital funding. Several reports are included below:

CHURCHILL ARTS COUNCIL                Fallon                   $10,000                 
Executive Director (FT)               336                      
The Executive Director’s responsibilities include the coordination and implementation of all CAC programs and activities for FY10 season and arts events. These activities are made possible because the position was retained at full-time. 

CONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTER         Las Vegas             $10,000                
Executive Director (Contract)        400                      
The Director’s responsibilities included maintaining membership records, working with the various committees of the CAC and assisting with organizational tasks to achieve effective planning and preparation, being present at events and helping to coordinate with Arts Factory staff and exhibiting artists, coordinating volunteers, and helping to establish an internship program. 

MASTERWORKS CHORALE                 Reno                    $6,295                  
Accompanist (PT), Musical Director (PT), Webmaster (Contract), Asst. Accompanist (Contract)     114
The Musical Director organized and directed the choir for all rehearsals and performances.  The accompanist not only accompanied the choir for several performances and the rehearsals leading up to them, but also trained an assistant accompanist, who helped out during their very busy holiday performance season.  The webmaster updated and improved the MasterWorks Chorale website.  The Chorale performed almost twenty concerts or mini-concerts during this fiscal year.