FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2020
Supporting Humanities Organizations Across Arizona
Arizona Humanities has awarded $520,000 in rapid-response funding to fifty-eight (58) non-profit humanities and cultural organizations facing financial hardship from the COVID-19 pandemic. These grants are funded by the Congressional CARES Act through the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).
“These funds are well-spent. Not only are they keeping our treasured museums, libraries, and cultural centers at work, they are helping people across Arizona. So many people have been impacted by business closures, and so many families and children are looking for fun and educational activities while summer camps and schools are closed. This has been a lifeline.” Brenda Thomson, Executive Director.
A special board review panel helped to quickly get the grant funds distributed. Grant recipients received awards of up to $10,000. Applicants were ranked by a variety of factors including a demonstrated history of public humanities programming, budget, geographic location, statement of need, and financial challenges inflicted by the pandemic. “Most importantly these funds are keeping us connected. The museums, community centers, and historical sites all ensure that we are having meaningful cultural conversations during this uncertain climate.” Debbie Nez-Manuel, Board of Directors, CARES grants review panel. In March Arizona Humanities distributed an additional $78,950 in grant funds to twelve (12) organizations through the regular grants process.
The funds are already having an impact on the bottom line for many cultural organizations. Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation’s Taliesin West has been closed since mid-March, but this critical funding “will allow vital preservation and other essential operations to continue, ensuring our future.” Stuart Graff, President and CEO. The Show Low Historical Society is grateful for funding that will be used towards operating expenses, and “to upgrade…exhibits…the Silver Creek Railroad Route 66 exhibit, and Water History of the White Mountains of Arizona exhibit.” Clair Thomas, Executive Director. The Tucson Chinese Cultural Center will use the funds “to continue to promote and educate the community about our Chinese Heritage and Culture.” Susan Chan, Treasurer.
The 58 organizations awarded COVID-19 Relief Grants include:
| Organization | City | Amount Awarded |
| AGUILA Youth Leadership Institute, Inc. | Phoenix, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Aliento | Mesa, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Arizona Jewish Historical Society | Phoenix, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Arizona Masters Of Poetry | Phoenix, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Arizona Museum of Natural History Foundation | Mesa, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Ballet Folklorico Quetzalli-Az | Chandler, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Black Canyon Historical Society | Black Canyon City, AZ | $5,000.00 |
| BLK BOX PHX | Phoenix, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Border Arts Corridor | Douglas, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Border Youth Tennis Exchange | Nogales, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Bullion Plaza Cultural Center and Museum | Miami, AZ | $9,000.00 |
| Carver Museum and Cultural Center | Phoenix, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Cave Creek Museum | Cave Creek, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Clarkdale Historical Society and Museum | Clarkdale, AZ | $8,000.00 |
| Cultural Coalition, Inc. | Mesa, AZ | $7,620.00 |
| Dunbar Pavilion | Tucson, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Emerson Theater Collaborative, Inc. | Sedona, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Flagstaff Arts Council | Flagsatff, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Fort Apache Heritage Foundation, Inc. | Fort Apache, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| GILA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY | Globe, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Gilbert Historical Society, Inc. (dba HD SOUTH, Home of the Gilbert Historical Museum) | Gilbert, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Glen Canyon Conservancy | Page, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Heritage Square Foundation | Phoenix, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Hustle PHX | Phoenix, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Iranian American Society of Arizona | Scottsdale, AZ | $7,440.00 |
| Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix | Phoenix, AZ | $6,811.00 |
| Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians | Fredonia, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Lake Havasu City Historical Society | Lake Havasu City, AZ | $5,280.00 |
| Mesa Historical Museum | Mesa, AZ | $5,000.00 |
| Morning Star Leaders Inc | Scottsdale, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Native American Connections | Phoenix, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Old Pueblo Archaeology Center | Tucson, AZ | $8,551.00 |
| Oracle Historical Society, Inc. | Oracle, AZ | $5,500.00 |
| Phonetic Spit | Phoenix, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Pinal County Historical Society Museum | Florence, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Pueblo Grande Museum Auxiliary | Phoenix, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Rising Youth Theatre | Phoenix, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| River of Time Museum | Fountain Hills, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Sedona Heritage Museum | Sedona, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Show Low Historical Society Museum Inc. | Show Low AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Sierra Vista Historical Society | Sierra Vista, AZ | $973.66 |
| Smoki Museum | Prescott, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Southwest Folklife Alliance | Tucson, AZ | $6,811.00 |
| St. Francis in the Foothills United Methodist Church – Iskashitaa Refugee Network | Tucson, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Sunnyslope Historical Society | Phoenix, AZ | $7,302.00 |
| Superstition Mountain Historical Society | Apache Junction, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Tempe Historical Society | Tempe, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| The Black Theatre Troupe, Inc. | Phoenix, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| The Patagonia Museum | Patagonia, AZ | $3,000.00 |
| The Vail Preservation Society | Vail, AZ | $8,597.00 |
| Tubac Center of the Arts | Tubac, AZ | $7,565.00 |
| Tubac Presidio State Historic Park | Tubac, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Tucson Chinese Association dba Tucson Chinese Cultural Center | Tucson, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation | Tucson, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Tucson Presidio Trust (dba Presidio Museum) | Tucson, AZ | $7,550.00 |
| Verde Valley Archaeology Center | Camp Verde, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Veterans Heritage Project | Phoenix, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Willcox Theater and Arts, Inc. | Willcox, AZ | $10,000.00 |
| Total | $520,000.66 |
