The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented blows to the cultural sector, forcing closures, canceling events, and leaving institutions scrambling to adjust to the new online landscape. According to a survey by the American Alliance of Museums from November 2020, almost 30% of all US museums are at risk of closing, and almost half have laid off or furloughed workers since last March. As the field attempts to recoup amid the worsening crisis, philanthropic organizations have been tasked to step in to provide support.
Enter the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, which has announced its latest round of grants which will distribute $3.9 million to 50 creative organizations nationwide, and one internationally. Taking the pandemic’s financial strain on daily operations into account, the fall 2020 grants will allow for up to half of every award to be utilized for administrative costs.