Federal stimulus dollars are coming to the aid of local arts organizations struggling in the recession. The City of Seattle and 4Culture, King County’s cultural services agency, announced this week that they will receive $500,000 in federal stimulus funds to preserve nonprofit arts jobs in jeopardy or recently cut due to the economic downturn.

In addition, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) made public direct allocations totaling $450,000 in federal stimulus funds to support jobs at 12 Seattle nonprofit arts organizations. A complete list of funded local arts organizations can be found on the NEA’s website.

“We are focused on creating and saving jobs in all areas of our local economy. The arts are essential to the health and vitality of our city,” said Mayor Greg Nickels. “I want to thank Congress and the Obama Administration for helping nonprofit arts organizations preserve jobs and keep our economy moving.”

The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs and 4Culture will each distribute the federal job preservation dollars through a competitive application process. An estimated 215 organizations currently funded through the Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs’ or 4Culture’s organizational support programs are eligible to apply.

The deadline to apply to the city and county is Monday, August 10th. Applications and guidelines for the stimulus grants from the Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs are available here; 4Culture’s application and guidelines are available here.