Bethlehem, PA – September 15, 2020 – State Senator Lisa M. Boscola announced today that $996,683 in funding has been approved for local cultural organizations and museums through the COVID-19 Cultural and Museum Preservation Grant Program.
“Throughout the Commonwealth and especially here in the Lehigh Valley, we have an incredible number of cultural institutions and museums that, like other sectors, are struggling during COVID-19,” Boscola stated. “These institutions are not only important because of what they create and provide, but they also employ thousands of Pennsylvanians and bring in millions of tourism revenue. This grant funding through the CARES Act will provide critical resources to help them through this pandemic.”
The following museums and cultural organization were approved for funding:
- ArtsQuest $500,000
- State Theatre Center for the Arts $156,099
- Lehigh Valley Zoological Society $140,460
- Historic Bethlehem Museum & Sites $57,824
- Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor $42,300
- Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society $25,000
- Lehigh County Historical Society $25,000
- Moravian Historical Society $25,000
- Pennsylvania Youth Theatre $25,000
“Apart from creating jobs, attracting investment and serving as a community’s center piece, our museums, cultural districts and entertainment venues add richness to all of our lives,” Boscola added. “These institutions are well worth having – and well worth saving.”
The COVID-19 Cultural and Museum Preservation Grant Program was created to provide grants to cultural organizations and museums that experienced a loss of revenue from the closure by the proclamation of disaster emergency by the Governor. It was enacted as part of the COVID-19 Emergency Supplement to the General Appropriation Act in May 2020. The grants were approved today by the Commonwealth Financing Authority.
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