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Keep them playing: Stimulus money aids orchestras

[July 10, 2009] WASHINGTON (AP) -- Dozens of orchestras around the nation can keep playing for now, kept in tune by federal stimulus dollars aimed at saving jobs.

The League of American Orchestras said Thursday that the National Endowment for the Arts has awarded 64 orchestras one-time grants of $25,000 or $50,000 to preserve administrative and artistic jobs at risk of being eliminated amid the recession.

The money will also help save summer concerts and education programs, said the league, which is tracking the stimulus money heading to orchestras.

Earlier this week, the NEA said it is awarding grants to 113 musical groups across the country, including the orchestras, to preserve jobs. Recipients have up to one year to complete their projects and request their funds, NEA spokeswoman Victoria Hutter said

The 64 orchestras range from the El Paso Symphony Orchestra Association Inc. to the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Society Inc.

The $787 billion economic stimulus package signed into law in February contained $50 million for the NEA to award as grants. Hutter said the NEA received more than 2,400 eligible applications for grants, but she said the funds available reached only 631 organizations.

Orchestras, opera companies and ballets nationwide have been grappling with huge budget deficits as private funding shriveled during the financial crisis.

Supporters of the grant money say it won't go to waste. Americans for the Arts organization cites on its Web site that the nonprofit arts industry generates $166.2 billion every year in economic activity and supports the equivalent of 5.7 million full-time jobs.

But supporters also worry about how the NEA will fare in years when there's no infusion of stimulus dollars.

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On the Net:

NEA grants list:
http://www.arts.gov/grants/
recent/09grants/arra09.php

[Associated Press; By CHRISTINE SIMMONS]

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