Arts Groups To Receive Stimulus Funds

A number of arts organizations around the state will start receiving federal stimulus funds on Tuesday.

Twenty-eight non-profit museums, theater companies and arts groups will each receive $10,000 grants in the next few weeks.

The money is targeted to save jobs that have been threatened or eliminated because of the economic downturn, including curators, accountants, music programmers and staff for summer youth programs.

The Massachusetts Cultural Council will announce the list of grant recipients Tuesday.

"We did a survey of organizations over the last few weeks and 43 percent have already experienced layoffs and a reduction of force so we know this funding is sorely needed," says Anita Walker, the council's executive director.

Walker acknowledges that $280,000 for the entire state is not enough.