Simi arts panel extends COVID-19 grants for use of Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center
The pandemic may be over, but COVID-19 recovery grants continue for organizations renting the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center.
The Simi Valley Arts Commission voted unanimously Dec. 13 to extend its Performing Arts Recovery Grants next year to help nonprofits and educational organizations to pay to rent at the arts center. As part of the application for a grant at www.simivalley.org, organizations explain how the COVID-19 pandemic affected them.
Grants vary from $1,000 to $15,000 for performances varying from one night to four or more consecutive weekends at the arts center. They’re approved by the commission's ad hoc committee.
The commission agreed to the staff's recommendation to limit future grants to 75% of their full amounts for organizations that have received previous grants. For example, an organization getting its second grant for a one-night performance would get $750 instead of $1,000.
New applicants would receive full awards to encourage more organizations to rent the arts center, Deputy Community Services Director Anna Medina told the arts commission during the meeting in a Simi Valley City Hall conference room.
"The yearly limit of $15,000 remains unchanged," Medina said. She explained that means a new or returning applicant could receive up to $15,000 a year from various grants.
The commission approved streamlining the application process and clarified that a performance aspect isn't required for a rent subsidy. An example is an awards show that honors people for their artistic achievements but doesn't include a performance, said Elaine Litster, the Simi Valley City Council member who chairs the arts commission.
The commission also agreed to the staff’s recommendation to specify that eligible educational organizations include dance and music studios and conservatories and that awards ceremonies and other events must have an artistic or cultural purpose.
“I’m comfortable with that,” Litster said.
The grants program awarded $36,732.18 to nonprofits arts and community organizations in 2022, according to a staff report. The eight recipients varied from Actors’ Repertory Theatre of Simi to Serendipity Dance Company and Mastrolonardo Piano School.
As of Dec. 1, $38,981.96 was awarded this year to nine recipients.
Medina said $175,000 is allocated for the grants. She noted the grants can continue to be awarded beyond 2024 at the current pace. The grants can’t be used to subsidize rent for fundraising events, partisan gatherings or private celebrations, she said.
In other news, Litster praised the center's current show, "It's A Wonderful Life: On Air," and noted Commissioner John Dantona is one of its stars. The play runs through Saturday.
Next year's plays will include the musicals "Annie" and Irving Berlin's "White Christmas."
Medina said artist Gary Saderup's charcoal drawings of stars such as Lucille Ball, Clint Eastwood and Katharine Hepburn are being displayed at the center through Saturday.
Dave Mason covers East County for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at dave.mason@vcstar.com or 805-437-0232.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Simi Valley arts panel extends COVID-19 grants
