The COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts & Culture Recovery Program is a grant opportunity for art professionals who experienced a significant pandemic-related disruption to their income.
Lehigh Valley Community Foundation will distribute pandemic payments of $3,000 to eligible working artists in Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, and Northampton Counties. Funding for this program is provided by the PA Department of Community and Economic Development.
COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program Eligibility Requirements:
Be an active artist or arts and culture creative professional who worked in their creative discipline in 2019.
- Be a full-time resident in Pennsylvania’s Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, or Northampton Counties.
- Be 18 years of age or older.
- Have generated the majority of your pre-pandemic income in 2019 (51% or more) from your creative work.
- Have experienced a pandemic-related loss of income.
- Intend to continue to work in the arts and culture sector.
- Have valid proof of at least $3,000 in losses due to the Covid-19 pandemic which were not already reimbursed through other relief programs.
Applicants will need to create a Foundant account. Please register by following the instructions for businesses.
You may also reference the Foundant Grants Portal webpage.
How to Apply
COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program applications will be accepted online through Lehigh Valley Community Foundation’s grants portal, Foundant. Written applications will NOT be accepted.
Application Documentation
• Applicants will be required to upload proof of residency in Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, or Northampton County.
• Tax Returns: One from 2019 and a second tax return from 2020-2024. Please include Schedule C for both reports, if applicable.
• Documentation of a loss of $3,000 or more due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Optional Attachments: Applicants will also be able to share artistic portfolio samples and content. This information is useful in understanding your artistry and how the pandemic impacted your ability to work, but not required.
If you have questions or need technical assistance, please email Mary Mancino at mary@lvcfoundation.org.
Key Dates | The Application Period opens October 6, 2025
—Application Opens October 6, 2025
—Application Closes at 11:59 p.m. on December 19, 2025
—Grant Notifications announced by end of February 2026
—Grant Payments to be distributed in early April 2026
Grantee Selection Process
Applications submitted to the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program will be reviewed by Lehigh Valley Community Foundation staff to ensure eligibility and that the required financial documents have been included in the application.
A volunteer committee will review applications and offer grant recommendations based on the applicant’s submitted materials and level of need.
Applicants will be notified of a grant’s decisions via email from administrator@grantinterface.com.
Download a One-Page Overview of the Grant Program | PDF
ASK Mary | Learn more about the Community Foundation’s Partners in the Arts (PPA) grant opportunities
Mary S. Mancino
Program Associate (Part-time Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p. m.)
Lehigh Valley Community Foundation
840 W. Hamilton Street, Suite 310, Allentown, PA 18101
mary@lvcfoundation.org | Arts@lvcfoundation.org