Cultural Coalition a WESTAF America Rescue Plan Awardee

In November of 2021, WESTAF (Western States Arts Federation) announced that Cultural Coalition was one of 44 awardees that were part of their American Rescue Plan Fund for Organizations (ARP). According the WESTAF press release announcement, “Aligning with the priorities of the National Endowment for the Arts (Arts Endowment), the WESTAF ARP program focused on applications that indicated a deep commitment to cultural equity, social justice and disrupting systemic racism through service to a host of constituencies, including rural and remote communities, Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) and organizations that support the independence and lifelong inclusion of people with disabilities, among others.”

Cultural Coalition Board Treasurer Tom Pynn identified this funding opportunity for the organization and spearheaded the application process. As a long time Board Member and supporter of the arts, Tom often remarks on how much great work the staff and artists of Cultural Coalition do in our community, and wants to keep spreading the word.

Thanks to Tom’s efforts, Cultural Coalition received an award of $34,400. Tom said that the funds received from this award will be used to “invest the funds annual Dia de Los Muertos Phx Festival – now called Mikiztli.” Cultural Coalition will also use the funds to support its educational programs that provide music, theater and storytelling, as well as hands-on visual arts workshops to Valley communities. Cultural Coalitions programs are specifically targeted to serve youth from underserved/or low income communities – striving to provide free access to the arts to everyone!

Specifically, three projects were identified to be supported by this award.

1. Support fundraising efforts – As a nonprofit 501c3 charitable organization, Cultural Coalition is sustained by a combination of grants, donations, and contracted service fees. These funds will help us continue applying for grants and competing for contracts.
2. MIKIZTLI & Art Activities – Funds to support free arts and culture activities for families at the festival and for students in our free after school programs for low income families at the Rancho del Arte complex.
3. Mask Making Lecture and Workshops – An award-winning sculptor, Zarco Guerrero, Cultural Coalition Board President and Co-Founder, has worked with over 40,000 Arizona students in the past 30 years to create personalized masks. This award will support bringing Zarco’s workshops to schools and community organizations around the state.

Tom shares his thoughts about what receiving this grant means for the organization’s future, “This is Cultural Coalition’s second grant through the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). It opens the door for the organization to continue its arts programs for another 2 years. It also means that Cultural Coalition joins the talented group of arts organizations that get funding from the NEA. The funds we received will also provide resources for the fundraising activities so important for our continued success.”