A total of $7 million in grants that was made available earlier this month to help arts and cultural organizations recover from the coronavirus pandemic will be divvied up among 267 organizations and 118 artists serving 118 Iowa communities. According to a news release from the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, the funding was made available when the state launched the Iowa Arts & Culture Recovery Program on Dec. 2. The state received more than 550 requests totaling more than $36 million by the Dec. 11 deadline. Among the groups receiving assistance are:

• Des Moines Performing Arts – $175,000.
• Greater Des Moines Botanical Center – $175,000.
• Science Center of Iowa – $175,000.
• Des Moines Metro Opera – $175,000.
• Blank Park Zoo – $175,000.
• Des Moines Symphony and Academy – $162,000.
• Des Moines Community Playhouse – $112,000.
• Hoyt Sherman Place – $108,000.
• Des Moines Arts Festival – $100,000.

According to data provided by grant applicants, the arts and culture sector of the state has been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic, losing more than $46 million in income since the  pandemic began, forcing events to cancel or venues to close. “The Iowa Arts and Culture Recovery Program stabilizes a vital part of Iowa’s economy by helping our arts and cultural sector build a much-needed funding bridge for a stronger recovery,” Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs Director Chris Kramer said in the release. A full list of grant recipients can be found on the department’s website.