The Wyoming Arts Council, with support from the Wyoming Governor's Office through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, has distributed $2.4 million dollars in grant funding to individual artists and to arts and cultural organizations in the state.

 The Arts 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. 

Organizations receiving funding are as follows by location: 

Afton: The Star Valley Arts Council

Big Horn: The New Museum at the Bradford Brinton Ranch

Casper:  307 Dance Academy, Casper Artists' Guild, Casper Children's Theatre, Inc., Casper Theater Company, Opera Wyoming, The Nicolaysen Art Museum, Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps, Trinkle Brass Works, Inc., Wyoming Symphony Orchestra, Inc., Casper Children’s Chorale, The Lyric, Wyoming Art Education Association (WYAEA)

Cheyenne: Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum, Cheyenne Little Theatre Players, Inc., Reformation Dance Company, The Array Foundation, Alternative Arts Project Inc., Boulder Community Media, Cheyenne Artists Guild, Inc.

Chugwater: Country Western Bluegrass Music Association

Cody: Park County Art Council, Buffalo Bill Memorial Association 

Encampment: Grand Encampment Cowboy Gathering

Evanston: Young Musicians Inc., Evanston Youth Club for Boys & Girls

Fort Washakie: Wind River Development Fund

Gillette: Powder River Symphony, Advocacy for Visual Arts, Inc.

Green River: Wyopoets 

Jackson: Community Center for the Arts, Dancers' Workshop of Jackson Hole, Grand Teton Music Festival, Off Square Theatre Company, Riot Act, Inc., Teton Music School, Jackson Hole Live!, Music Land, Vista 360, Inc.

Lander: Lander Art Center, PALS (Promoting Arts in Lander Schools)

Laramie: Relative Theatrics, Science Loves Art, Laramie Artists Project, Wyoming Women’s Business Center

Pinedale: Pinedale Fine Arts Council, Inc., Pinedale Community Theatre

Rawlins: The Art Street Project

Rock Springs: Rock Springs Box Art

Sheridan: Sheridan Artists' Guild Et Al (SAGE), WYO Theater, Inc., Sheridan County Historical Society

Wilson: GAIN, Inc. 

Worland: Washakie Museum

“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. We would like to thank Governor Gordon for his continued support of the arts through this funding. Like many, the arts and cultural sector of Wyoming has been hit hard by the pandemic. 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.”  said Michael Lange, Wyoming Arts Council Executive Director.

For more information contact Michael Lange at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 307-275-4476.

Photo caption: Laramie Children's Musical Theater Workshop: Screenshot of spring Teen Musical Production rehearsal, April 2020.