GREENWICH, CONN.- The Bruce Museum has received a grant of $45,456 from Connecticut Humanities (CTH), the state’s affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities and counterpart to the state’s Office of the Arts. The allocation is part of a relief package to 50 Connecticut museums and other nonprofit humanities organizations totaling $1.5 million, approved by the CTH’s Board of Directors on December 21, 2020.
CTH’s COVID Relief Fund for Museums helps non-profit museums and other 501c3 non-profit humanities organizations with full-time staff and annual operating budgets of at least $450,000 recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants range from $22,727.25 to $45,456.00.
Dr. Jason Mancini, Executive Director at Connecticut Humanities, stated, “Like performing arts venues, museums and other public humanities organizations are dependent on various revenue streams that simply evaporated because of the pandemic. These are vital and vibrant places in our communities that also need a bridge to the future. As the principal advocate for and funder of humanities nonprofits in our state, CTH is uniquely positioned to accept and award this funding and we are grateful to Governor Lamont, OPM Secretary McCaw, and DECD Commissioner Lehman for their support.”
Funding for CTH’s COVID Relief Fund for Museums was made possible by the Connecticut State Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD)/Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) through an allocation to the State of Connecticut from the CARES Act.
“Connecticut’s museums are anchors in our communities. They give residents of all ages opportunities to engage with local history and culture and spaces for dialogue and connection,” Governor Ned Lamont said. “In addition, museums are part of the tourism and culture sector responsible for thousands of jobs. It is vital that we sustain Connecticut’s museums through this pandemic.”
“We’re grateful to Connecticut Humanities and the state and federal agencies that help support Museums, as well as to the Bruce Museum’s family of members and benefactors who have demonstrated a selfless generosity during these trying and unprecedented times,” says Robert Wolterstorff, The Susan E. Lynch Executive Director. “Thanks to all of these supports, the Bruce has maintained its operations – even moving many programs online – without having to furlough or lay off our hardworking and incredibly talented staff.”
Like many organizations, the Bruce has survived a state mandated closure, as well as cancellation of its major fundraising events. The total estimated financial losses due to the coronavirus pandemic for the 50 grantees of this program through December 2020 is more than $25.4 million. These grants are to be used to reimburse organizations for eligible operating expenses incurred between March and December 2020, enabling the state’s museums to retain staff and enter 2021 in a stronger financial position.
