The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs has announced three new funding opportunities to help put the state’s arts, culture, history and creative sectors back to work and to launch innovative programs in the humanities.

In total, the department has received nearly $2.4 million through its partnerships with two federal agencies, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, which was enacted in March. American Rescue Plan Arts Grants are intended to reinvigorate arts and culture in communities across the state by supporting jobs and putting Iowa’s creative sector back to work.

Funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities follows the federal agency’s decision last year to recognize the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs as the state’s interim Iowa Humanities Council.

“These grants will focus on rebuilding the capacity of creative businesses at a time when many artists, cultural organizations and communities are working to fully rebound,” Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs Director Chris Kramer said. “This investment will be a catalyst for rehiring jobs in the creative workforce and for more participation in arts and cultural experiences.”

In a typical year, more than 42,000 Iowans work in more than 5,000 arts, cultural and creative businesses across the state. After layoffs in 2020 triggered by closures and event cancellations due to the pandemic, the arts, history and cultural sector is still working to recover.

The department and its divisions – the State Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office, the interim Iowa Humanities Council, Iowa Arts Council, and Produce Iowa: State Office of Media Production – will administer the new grants announced today.

• American Rescue Plan Arts Grants range from $500 to $20,000 and are designed to reinvigorate arts and culture by supporting jobs and putting Iowa’s creative sector back to work in communities across the state. The grants are supported by funding from the NEA through the American Rescue Plan. Grant applications are due online Oct. 1.

Two webinars will be offered to help applicants through the application process. One, for individual artists, is set for 2 p.m. Sept. 7. The other, for arts organizations, is set for 2 p.m. Sept. 8.

• American Rescue Plan Humanities Grants range from $2,500 to $20,000 and are designed to help Iowa’s humanities sector respond to the coronavirus pandemic by supporting jobs and adapting programs. The grants are supported by funding from the NEH through the American Rescue Plan. Grant applications are due online Oct. 1.

A webinar for applicants is set for 2 p.m. Sept. 9.

• Humanities Project Grants range from $1,000 to $20,000 to support public humanities projects that encourage contemplation, spark conversation and engage the public. Eligible projects will use the humanities to involve and benefit Iowans through innovative programs. The grants are supported by the NEH through a state partnership award. Grant applications are due online Nov. 1.

A webinar for applicants is set for 2 p.m. Sept. 15.

Details about webinars, office hours and the grants themselves are available online at iowaculture.gov/about-us/about/grants.

These new funding programs are the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs’ latest efforts to help Iowans develop culturally vibrant communities by supporting education in the arts, social studies and Iowa history; building the skills of Iowa’s arts, heritage and cultural leaders; and helping communities across the state become more attractive places to work, live and raise a family.