November 16, 2009

Arizona: Automatic External Defibrillator Equipment Program

The Arizona Commission on the Arts (ACA) received funding from the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust for a grant program that will provide automatic external defibrillator (AED) equipment in Maricopa County to nonprofit arts and cultural organizations. The goal of the funding and grant program is to create a safer environment for arts patrons across Arizona. The $55,000 in funding will allow the ACA to work with the Arizona State Health Department to purchase and provide more than 36 eligible arts organizations with a complete AED package that includes employee training, AED equipment, installation, registration and a maintenance contract. The ACA will select qualified nonprofit, government or educational arts organizations that are open to the public and that agree to maintain equipment and uphold employee training. The ACA will seek additional funding partners in the future to expand the reach of this pilot program statewide. To learn more about the program, contact ACA Communications and Executive Director Bob Booker.