March 28, 2005

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding has not only been traditionally recognized for thirty years as a signature program for cities to help create jobs, increase economic development opportunities and expand home ownership, but it is also a major funding source for the arts. Community-based organizations in cities have received CDBG funding over the years for numerous arts projects including: youth-based after school programs, mural projects, public art and children's museums. In many cases, these projects are located in underserved communities in low and moderate income areas.

In FY 2004, 94.9 percent of the CDBG funds allocated to entitlement communities went to activities including the arts that principally benefited low- and moderate-income residents.

Americans for the Arts joins the Conference of Mayors in urging Congress to keep funding intact for CDBG at $4.7 billion which supports arts projects for youth, seniors and disadvantaged communities nationwide.

Below is a list of examples of local arts projects and infrastructure support funded by CDBG in cities nationwide:

Aurora, CO

Program: Creation of an Arts District

CDBG Funds: $130,000

Description: The city of Aurora is using the creation of an Arts District and a major component of an economic development strategy to revitalize the Original Downtown Urban Renewal Area along Colfax Avenue.

Fairfield, CT

Program: The Fairfield Arts Council, Program for Seniors and Homeless

CDBG Funds: $10,000

Description: Fairfield Arts Council is currently operating a performing arts program at Grasmere Elder Care Center, an elder center specifically for disabled seniors. They-ve also held programs at Operation Hope, where a group of homeless men participated in a writing workshop and others created a mural in the shelter.

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Program: 37 Units of Artist Workspace

CDBG Funds: $110,000

Description: The City of Ft. Lauderdale has committed $110,000 of CDBG Rental Rehabilitation funds for 37 units of artist work space.

Chicago, IL

Program: Urban Gateways: Center for the Arts Education

CDBG Funds: $38,493

Description: Urban Gateways: Center for Arts Education received CDBG funds to support artist fees in programs being conducted in inner-city, low economic public schools.

New Orleans, LA

Program: Arts Business Incubator Services

CDBG Funds: $80,000 annually

Description: The Arts Council of New Orleans has received these funds for about 10 years to fund their Arts Business Incubator that targets low-to-moderate income artists. They serve over 1000 artists and dozens of arts organizations a year.

Boston, MA

Program: ZUMIX — Hands-On Art Program

CDBG Funds: between $25,000 and $22, 500 per year since 2000.

Description: Have been getting CDBG funding for 5 years.

Holyoke, MA

Program: Caribbean Walk (Paseo Caribeno) Cultural Economic Development Initiative (City partnership with Solutions Community Development Corporation)

CDBG Funds: $15,000

Description: The Caribbean Walk will celebrate and promote Latino culture in Holyoke's downtown.

Somerville, MA

Program: Arts Union (in partnership with the Somerville Arts Council)

CDBG Funds: $50,000

Description: Arts Union will focus on the physical and economic revitalization of Somerville's Union Square. The city of Somerville and its partners will sponsor a series of events and projects, including an arts and crafts market and a public art program that will employ local artists and bring patronage to the area.

Baltimore, MD

Program: Bright StARTS Art Program

CDBG Funds: $54,000

Description: The city of Baltimore receives two grants from the CDBG program that impact the arts. One grant supports the Bright StARTS Art Program, which provides artist-led workshops to inner city youth through established after'school programs.

New York, NY

Programs: Community Arts Development Program.

CDBG Funds: $241,082

Description: Administered by the City's Department of Cultural Affairs, CADP re-grants CDBG funds to support community-based arts organizations serving low-income populations. The current Small Capital Improvements Grant supports the development of community arts by helping to preserve and sustain neighborhood arts facilities. The program is in its 25th year.

North Charleston, SC

Program: Arts program for underserved children

CDBG Funds: $1.3 million

Description: This year, North Charleston will be utilizing CDBG funds for numerous initiatives including an arts program for underserved children.

Spartanburg, SC

Program: Making Cultural Facilities Handicapped Accessible

CDBG Funds: $100,000

Description: The Arts Partnership of Greater Spartanburg has received a CDBG grant to help cover the cost of making planned cultural facilities handicapped accessible.

El Paso, TX

Program: Creative Kids, Inc.

CDBG Funds: tbd

Description: A local non-profit organization called Creative Kids Inc., receives funding through the CDBG. The organization provides arts education programs and cultural activities for disadvantaged youth including foster children, kids with disabilities and children battling cancer.

Salt Lake City, UT

Program: Public Art

CDBG Funds: $3,000

Description: Over the years, the CDBG program managed by the city has funded a number of arts programs including an annual appropriation for the public art program for artwork to be commissioned in CD-eligible areas (approximately $3,000 per year). The most recent commission funded through the CDBG program is for artwork at a skateboard park in a lower-income neighborhood.