The COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts & Culture Recovery Program is a grant opportunity for art professionals who experienced a significant pandemic-related disruption to their income.
Lehigh Valley Community Foundation will distribute pandemic payments of $3,000 to eligible working artists in Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, and Northampton Counties. Funding for this program is provided by the PA Department of Community and Economic Development.
COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program Eligibility Requirements:
• Be an active artist or arts and culture creative professional who worked in their creative discipline in 2019.
• Be a full-time resident in Pennsylvania’s Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, or Northampton Counties.
• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Have generated the majority of your pre-pandemic income in 2019 (51% or more) from your creative work.
• Have experienced a pandemic-related loss of income.
• Intend to continue to work in the arts and culture sector.
• Have valid proof of at least $3,000 in losses due to the Covid-19 pandemic which were not already reimbursed through other relief programs.
Applicants will need to create a Foundant account. Please register by following the instructions for businesses.
You may also reference the Foundant Grants Portal webpage.
How to Apply
COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program applications will be accepted online through Lehigh Valley Community Foundation’s grants portal, Foundant. Written applications will NOT be accepted.
Application Documentation
• Applicants will be required to upload proof of residency in Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, or Northampton County.
• Tax Returns: One from 2019 and a second tax return from 2020-2023. Please include Schedule C for both reports, if applicable.
• Documentation of a loss of $3,000 or more due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Optional Attachments: Applicants will also be able to share artistic portfolio samples and content. This information is useful in understanding your artistry and how the pandemic impacted your ability to work, but not required.
If you have questions or need technical assistance, please email Megan Briggs at megan@lvcfoundation.org.
Key Dates
• Application opened November 11, 2024
• Application closes January 27, 2025
• Grant Notifications announced by the end of March 2025
• Grant Payments are expected to be distributed by April 2025
Grantee Selection Process
Applications submitted to the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program will be reviewed by Lehigh Valley Community Foundation staff to ensure eligibility and that the required financial documents have been included in the application.
A volunteer committee will review applications and offer grant recommendations based on the applicant’s submitted materials and level of need.
Applicants will be notified of a grant’s decisions via email from administrator@grantinterface.com.
Download a One-Page Overview of the Grant Program | PDF
ASK MEGAN | Learn more about the community investments/grants opportunities at the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation
Megan Briggs
Vice President of Community Investments
840 West Hamilton Street
Suite 310, Allentown, PA 18101
610 351-5353 Ext. 21
megan@lvcfoundation.org