Rep. Lauren McNally Announces $437,826.90 for local arts organizations

Funding to defray operating expenses and decreased revenue during COVID-19 pandemic

July 10, 2023

COLUMBUS- State Rep. Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) today announced $437,826.90 for local arts organizations in Youngstown as part of the second round of funding from the Ohio Department of Development’s Ohio Arts Economic Relief Grant Program.

“I’m thrilled to see this continued investment from the federal government and state in these organizations who did so much for our communities during the pandemic, especially those right here in Youngstown” said Rep. McNally. “Mitigating the impact of the pandemic on their bottoms lines is both a smart investment and the right thing to do.”

The Ohio Arts Economic Relief Grant Program, created to defray Ohio organization or operator operating expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic, is made possible by federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act. $23.52 million were given to 139 entities around the state in the first round of funding. The Strategic Investments Division within the Ohio Department of Development allocated $20,441,085.17 as part of this second round of funding to 104 entities in 33 counties around the state. Among other criteria, the organization or operator had to be located in Ohio with their primary purpose being related to the arts.

Organizations and operators within Ohio’s 59th district receiving funds, which cannot exceed 10% of their calendar year 2022 operating expenses or their cumulative decrease in gross revenue in 2020 and 2021 when compared to 2019, include:

$12,035.60 for the Opera Western Reserve
$319,331.30 for The Butler Institute of American Art
$106,460.00 for the Youngstown Symphony Society, Inc.