15 arts organizations receive nearly $150,000 in grants focused on supporting diversity in the arts
The Arts and Education Council together with Ameren Missouri announced the recipients of the AmerenCares Equity in the Arts Philanthropic Grant program. Grant recipients will be awarded a collective total of nearly $150,000 in 2022. This new grant program was created to provide funding to historically underrepresented and underfunded nonprofit organizations that are racially and ethnically diverse.
Small nonprofits, particularly arts and culture organizations serving local communities, were more severely impacted by COVID-19 than most other types of nonprofits according to a recent study by the Urban Institute. Additionally, organizations serving urban areas were more likely to experience decreases in donations during 2020. AmerenCares Equity in the Arts is a unique and focused example of a shift in philanthropic giving practices that are designed to proactively and deliberately meet the needs of under-resourced and historically underrepresented nonprofits that have evidence of racially and ethnically diverse leadership.
"Equity is valued greatly by both Ameren and the Arts and Education Council. We are proud to partner to fund organizations that are impacting the area, making it better for all of us. Arts organizations throughout our area are overcoming tremendous obstacles, especially because of COVID-19," said Jessireé Jenkins, manager of grants and programs for the Arts and Education Council. "We’re looking forward to the opportunity to deepen our reach within communities and organizations that have not had the opportunity to develop a relationship with the Arts and Education Council.”
"In recognizing these 15 organizations as inaugural AmerenCares Equity in the Arts grantees, we are taking an intentional step to expand awareness of the importance of diversity in the arts, arts performance and arts educational programs throughout our service territory in Missouri," said Sarah Kramer, director of corporate philanthropy and community impact for Ameren. "This new program and our longtime support of the work led by the Arts and Education Council will help us build on the impact we are making to grow the arts accessibility in Missouri and help power the quality of life for all our customers and communities we serve."
The following arts organizations (in alphabetical order) will receive support from the AmerenCares Equity in the Arts Philanthropic Grant program:
Applications were reviewed by the Arts and Education Council’s Grants and Programs staff and representatives from Ameren. Learn more about the Arts and Education Council's grants at KeepArtHappening.org.