Dear Cultural Colleagues,

As the close of 2020 is upon us, we reflect on the many challenges we have overcome and have reasons to be hopeful that our world will be a better place next year.

Full Allocation of County CARES Act Funds for the Arts
We want to share the great news that the Department of Cultural Affairs successfully allocated 100% of the federal CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds approved for the arts, over $10 million to cultural organizations and artists in record time. This included fully-funding requests of all eligible organizations that applied to the competitive Category B of our Miami-Dade Arts Support (MAS) program. In total, we awarded relief grants to 292 arts organizations and were able to provide assistance to more than 850 artists.

Second Round of Federal Relief – More PPP and Funds for the Arts!
We are watching closely the new developments as the new $900 billion Coronavirus Economic Relief Agreement bill passed by the United States Congress, along with the FY 2021 Omnibus Appropriations bill to keep the government running through September 2021. Americans for the Arts has provided helpful highlights here. These include $284 billion for first and second round of PPP loans and $15 billion to support live entertainment and venues and cultural institutions. It is our understanding that the Treasury Department will develop guidelines and application processes for most of these programs. We will keep you informed as programs and information are developed and released.

We need to be patient and careful to be sure that we can safely get to this new federal funding support and see the effects of the vaccine. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava has launched a campaign that sums up the job ahead: We Can We Will (#WeCanWeWill campaign).

The staff, the Cultural Affairs Council and I are confident that together we can make 2021 a great year. We know that it has been tough going, but we hope that you can find the time and the spirit to celebrate the holidays and to celebrate the prospect of much better times ahead. The new Chairman of the Cultural Affairs Council, Brian May, wanted me to let you know the Department and the Council will be there for you in the new year. “We commit our full energy and ingenuity to restarting our cultural community and renewing the wonder of live cultural experiences.”

Have Happy and Safe Holidays!

Michael

Michael Spring

Director, Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs

The most reliable way to contact us continues to be through email. You can find a staff directory at  https://www.miamidadearts.org/about/staff-councils.

Please check the County’s web site for more COVID-19 information and for regular updates:  miamidade.gov/coronavirus.

To view a comprehensive list of all the Department's previous cultural updates on COVID-19 click here.