Easthampton City Arts (ECA) is deeply committed to our community of artists and we are actively invested in the meaning, value, and impact that arts and culture have here in Easthampton and throughout our region. For 15 years, ECA has served our community in receptive, responsive, and innovative ways and in accordance with the evolving needs of our public. Within the context of this time of pandemic, we recognize that our community of artists is more economically vulnerable than ever before and that the financial circumstances that individuals are facing are broad, complex, and diverse. 

In the spirit of our ongoing commitment to our artists and our community, we are pleased to announce the Easthampton City Arts Artist Grants Initiative. This first-of-its-kind program at ECA will provide grants to individual artists in exchange for an event, workshop, or other arts-based activity that serves to engage others and inspire community. This particular approach will also serve to activate our new, shared virtual platforms during this time of social distancing with the visual arts, poetry, music, performance, and educational opportunities that we all value and appreciate so much. 

ECA extends our immense gratitude to all the dedicated individuals, local businesses, and community organizations that have contributed throughout the years to creating our community of arts and culture that we all hold dear. Creating this grants program is rooted in this longstanding foundation. We see this as an opportunity for ECA to join a larger ecosystem of artist relief efforts to provide some assistance as we work together to navigate this unusual time. We also acknowledge Mayor Nicole LaChapelle for her leadership, guidance, and support as all of us at ECA worked to develop the ECA Artist Grants Initiative.

Please visit our ECA Artist Grants Initiative webpage to learn more about the program, eligibility requirements, selection process, and timeline — and to apply.