{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://neal.house.gov/2021/10/07/news-documentsingle-aspx-documentid-2328/", "Mass Humanities Announces Recipients of SHARP Grants for COVID Response", "2021-10-07", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MA", "Richard E. Neal", "N000015", "neal.house.gov", "neal", "https://neal.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "Northampton, MA | Funding made possible by the National Endowment for the Humanities\n\n(Northampton, MA \u2013 October 7, 2021 ) Mass Humanities has announced grants to 90 organizations across Massachusetts to support the response and recovery of the cultural sector from the ongoing impacts of the coronavirus. Totaling almost $1 million, the \u201cSustaining the Humanities through the American Rescue Plan (SHARP)\u201d grants were made possible through funding provided to the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) by the American Rescue Plan.\n\nAs the state affiliate of NEH, Mass Humanities sought to provide emergency funding to the smallest organizations, including local museums, historical societies, and historic sites. More than half of the SHARP recipients have budgets of $300,000 or less.\n\n\u201cThe SHARP grants are another significant step in the journey to sustain the humanities at the local level,\u201d said Brian Boyles, Executive Director of Mass Humanities. \u201cAs we continue to combat COVID-19, these funds will save jobs, build capacity, and allow organizations to develop new programs to serve their communities.\u201d\n\nMass Humanities received requests for funding from more than 140 organizations. Grants of up to $15,000 were awarded to retain or recruit staff, replace lost revenue, and rebuild audiences. The SHARP grants conclude a year in which Mass Humanities awarded more than $1.7 million to 240 organizations around the state.\n\n\u201cAs one of the authors of the American Rescue Plan, I am thrilled to see the great work that Mass Humanities is doing to fulfill our vision of getting these funds out to businesses and cultural institutions who suffered greatly \u2013 through no fault of their own \u2013 from the COVID-19 pandemic,\u201d said Congressman Richard E. Neal, Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means. \u201cThe First Congressional District is home to countless organizations that provide resources for the study of art, language, literature, philosophy, history, and so much more. These grants are imperative to their recovery and economic success. I am proud of my work championing these funds in Congress and will continue to do so in my tenure.\u201d\n\nA total of $118,383 was awarded to 11 cultural organizations in the 1st Congressional District:\n\nAMELIA PARK CHILDREN\u2019S MUSEUM, Westfield\n\nCHESTERWOOD, Stockbridge\n\nCLINTON CHURCH, Great Barrington\n\nHANCOCK SHAKER VILLAGE, Pittsfield\n\nHISTORIC HOLYOKE AT WISTARIAHURST, Holyoke\n\nNORMAN ROCKWELL MUSEUM, Stockbridge\n\nSPRINGFIELD MUSEUMS, Springfield\n\nSTERLING & FRANCINE CLARK ART INSTITUTE, Williamstown\n\nTHE FRIENDS OF THE ADAMS FREE LIBRARY, Adams\n\nVENTFORT HALL ASSOCIATION, Lenox\n\nWESTFIELD ATHENAEUM, Westfield\n\nFor a full list of grantees, click here.\n\nThe humanities organizations that are located in communities dispersed through Massachusetts have been a beacon of comfort and solidarity during the Covid-19 pandemic. While society continues to recover from and navigate through the pandemic\u2019s impact, Mass Humanities has been privileged to share this opportunity with so many organizations.\n\n\u201cThe pandemic presented a great financial burden for many humanities organizations, particularly those already facing disproportionate economic and racial inequities,\u201d said Brian Boyles, Executive Director of Mass Humanities. \u201cThese grants will assist organizations throughout Massachusetts in moving forward to continue their mission and the impressive work they do in their communities.\u201d\n\nOrganizations interested in learning about future grants should follow Mass Humanities on social media @masshumanities and visit their website.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://neal.house.gov/2021/10/07/news-documentsingle-aspx-documentid-2328/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.005993854254484, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}