As the Lehigh Valley Arts Council prepares to close the curtains on 2019, and look towards new opportunities in 2020, we are reminded of the impact that arts dollars (often grants) have on communities.
Through our partnership with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA) we were able to re-grant nearly $40,000 in support of 28 community-based arts activities. You can download a list of those funded groups (with dates to their events) here.
Through our many partnerships with Lehigh Valley based cultural organizations and human service organizations, we were able to provide accessible equipment to theatres, train college students on audio description, and offer grants that reinforce accessibility as an important investment.
Often used in grant proposals, the term "economic impact" is at the core of why many agencies, foundations, or nonprofits choose to give out grants. While the benefits of art are greater than the financial investment, it's important to remember that public dollars for the arts also strengthen the economy.