The Wyoming Arts Council has distributed $2.4 million in grant funding to individual artists and to arts and cultural organizations in the state.

With support from the Wyoming Governor’s Office through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the council distributed 55 financial assistance grants to arts and cultural organizations in Wyoming and 199 grants to individual artists.

The purpose of the CARES Act funding is to support those in the arts and culture sector who have had significant revenue loss or had expenditures that are a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds were distributed as a one-time grant to those that met the eligibility criteria and amounts were based on expenses and funding available, capped at $49,500.

Recipients included two Cody-based organizations: the Park County Arts Council and Buffalo Bill Memorial Association — better known as the operator of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. According to Michael Lange, executive director of the Wyoming Arts Council, there were also seven individual artists in Park County who recieved grants totaling $28,500.

Elsewhere in the Big Horn Basin, the Washakie Museum in Worland also received a grant.

“The Wyoming Arts Council is grateful to the dedication of the state’s arts and cultural institutions and artists for their steadfast commitment to serving the state of Wyoming,” said Lange. He thanked Gov. Mark Gordon for his continued support of the arts through the funding.

“Like many, the arts and cultural sector of Wyoming has been hit hard by the pandemic,” Lange said. “These funds will help keep individuals employed, and make it possible for organizations to continue to provide services that strengthen the social and economic wellbeing of the state.”