Explanation
This ordinance authorizes Columbus City Council to enter into a grant agreement with Thurber House to support their operations in providing additional services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thurber House, through its museum and literary arts programming, provides opportunities for adults and children in the city of Columbus and beyond, to develop life-long skills of good communication, specifically reading and writing, and preserving the legacy of Columbus’ hometown humorist and arts hero, James Thurber.
Thurber House, as the only literary center in the City, has provided literary arts experiences to over 250,000 adults and children in the community for the last 35 years. It is a cultural gem that has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since the onset of the pandemic, Thurber House experienced a temporary closure and loss of an estimated $82,000 of program revenue due to the cancellation of programs and moving some programs online at a low-to-no cost to the community. Thurber House has maintained employment of all 4.5 of its employees but has seen increased and unexpected expenses related to personal protective equipment (PPE) and technical/digital/virtual services to maintain organizational productivity.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the CARES Act fund.
Emergency action is requested to ensure that Thurber House can begin providing additional services as soon as possible.
Title
To authorize Columbus City Council to enter into a grant agreement with Thurber House; to authorize a transfer of appropriations and an expenditure within the CARES Act fund; and to declare an emergency. ($18,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, during the ongoing pandemic, Thurber House continues its literary arts programming for children and adults in remote settings; and
WHEREAS, over 7,000 children and adults in Columbus depend on Thurber House each year to provide educational and entertaining arts programs that help build and expand their literacy, and fuel ...
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