The City of Lawrence has received a $150,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to distribute to local nonprofit organizations.

The grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan to help the arts and culture sector recover from the pandemic, and the NEA selected Lawrence as a recipient, according to a city news release.

“These grants recognize the vital role of local arts agencies and will allow them to help rebuild local economies and contribute to the well-being of our communities,” Ann Eilers, acting chair of the NEA, said in the release.

The city is receiving $150,000 and will work with the Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission to distribute grants to eligible nonprofit organizations in the community. The grant funding can be used to help save jobs, as well as help fund operations and facilities, health and safety supplies, and marketing and promotional efforts.

In total, the NEA will award $20.2 million in grants to 66 local arts agencies nationwide. Eilers said in the release that the funds are a key element in helping the arts and culture sector recover and reopen.

City staff are working with LCAC members to develop a grant application program for local arts and culture non-profits to apply for funds. To help determine funding levels, all Lawrence arts and culture 501(c)(3) organizations interested in this grant opportunity are asked to submit the intent to apply on the city’s website, lawrenceks.org.