Hogsett to Award 3rd Round of Music Cities Grants
Inside the Chatterbox Jazz Club in Indy. (photo courtesy: Visit Indy)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett says the city will award a third round of funding for the Music Cities Strategy Recovery Program. The program is directed at independent music venues impacted by public health orders as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The city says the $250,000 extension of the program is made available through funding from the American Rescue Plan, an allocation approved by the City-County Council earlier this summer. The program will be administered by Indianapolis-based nonprofit Musical Family Tree Inc.
“The pandemic is not over yet, and even as residents continue to be vaccinated and enjoy more of our local music scene, our independent venues are still in need of a boost,” said Hogsett. “As the stage lights turn on again and vaccinated fans return back to enjoying their favorite acts, this grant will provide additional support to our independent venue operators.”
Last year, the city and MFT awarded more than $336,000 to 37 grantees between the first and second rounds of the Music Cities Strategy Recovery Program.
“Independent music venues are the lifeblood of the music scene, where local musicians learn their trade and build careers,” said Jim Rawlinson, board chair of Musical Family Tree. “MFT has been excited to be a partner with the City of Indianapolis over the last year and a half, awarding over half a million dollars in funding with this new round of grants to venues in a time of crisis. We’ll continue to look for ways to help the music community through this.”
The city says venues can apply for a grant of up to $20,000 by providing documentation of paid rent and mortgage, utilities expenses, and other eligible reimbursable expense.
Applications are due by August 27.