Today, the Indiana Arts Commission announced that the Northern Indiana Bluegrass Association has received a $3,000 grant as part of the American Rescue Plan Act funds. The funds were distributed to 278 nonprofit organizations across Indiana totaling $834,000. As a not-for-profit 501 C3 organization, NIBGA qualified to apply for the grant funding.

Grants were distributed through the agency’s Arts Recovery Program with American Rescue Plan Act funds directly from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) with additional NEA funds through Arts Midwest, Indiana’s regional partner.  Applicants were reviewed by the IAC panel, for their ability to advance the arts, provide relevant activities and access to the arts, and operate through June 2022. Our application was accepted and awarded because of our ability to meet these criteria.

Your NIBGA organization is honored to be chosen. The pandemic has posed significant challenges to the performance sector. Partnering with the IAC helps us to support the arts in our region, providing some relief and economic recovery from the pandemic.

The Arts Recovery Program requires we utilize the awarded grant funding for specific categories. The NIBGA application states that we will specifically use the funds to support:

• Community outreach through the no cost, twice/year free Thursday night shows prior to our Memorial/Labor Day weekend festivals
• Nursing home band performances up to twice/year at no cost
• Facilities costs for the monthly winter jam sessions with an increased focus on bluegrass music engagement and education opportunities for youth.
• Costs associated with health and safety supplies for staff and/or visitors/audiences such as bathroom cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, and a handicap port-a-jon for campers at the festival
• Marketing and promotion costs to get the word out about our festivals and fulfill our club directive to promote and preserve Bluegrass music.