SHARPGRANTS

EmpowerOrganizations.

When Congress passed the American Rescue Plan in March 2021, the goal was imbedded in the name. For Tennessee cultural organizations, having to close the doors for nearly two years resulted in lost revenue and jobs, uncertainty, and disconnection. What would it look like if some of our most vital community organizations no longer existed?

From the Heritage Alliance in northeast Tennessee to RISE Chattanooga, Cumberland River Compact and Wolf Gap in Middle TN, and Paris County Heritage Center and The Griot Collective of West Tennessee, just to name a few…who might we be without the work of these organizations in our communities? As much as the pandemic forced us to ponder that question, it also pushed us to collaborate on solutions.

In many ways, 2022 offered the first steps toward pandemic recovery and a glimpse of future opportunities. In January 2022, Humanities Tennessee awarded $941,454 of Congressionally appropriated funds to 91 organizations across the state to support their recovery and sustain future operations. The Sustaining the Humanities through the American Rescue Plan (SHARP) funds were immediately put to use saving jobs, operating historical buildings, bringing programs to the community, and connecting people virtually and in-person.