Late last week brought news of Mayor Kenny's proposed 2020-2021 budget which would eliminate the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy and all funding for the Philadelphia Cultural Fund. This year the Cultural Fund provided over $3 million in funding to 349 organizations across the city. The City is also expected to cancel or not renew some services contracts, which will also likely impact the arts community. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts is freezing funds previously awarded to arts organizations.
Many arts organizations across the region rely on these funds to help support their ongoing work. At a time when they are struggling to adjust to the impact of COVID on their operations, this is devastating news.
Please join Philanthropy Network's Arts and Culture Funders for an update on government budget cuts at the regional, state, and federal levels. During this call, we will hear from:
- Barbara Silzle, Philadelphia Cultural Fund
- Maud Lyon, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance
- Laurie Zierer, Pennsylvania Humanities Council
This meeting is also a chance for funders to continue the conversation about how to support the arts community as it moves to reimagine its future.
Registration closes promptly at the scheduled start time. Those who register in advance will be emailed the dial-in information around 8:00 AM on the morning of the video conference.
SURVEY:
- Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance Survey: Cultural Sector Layoffs & Furloughs
RELATED NEWS:
- The $4.1 billion question: What’s to become of Philadelphia’s world-class arts and culture, post-coronavirus? (The Philadelphia Inquirer, 05/05/20)
- While confronting the impacts of COVID-19, don’t forget that the arts can be part of the solution (Generocity, 5/4/20)
- Mayor Kenney calls for end to city arts agency, cutting $4 million in cultural spending (The Philadelphia Inquirer, 5/1/20)
- Arts groups upset over Gov. Tom Wolf’s sudden move to freeze Pa. grant money (The Philadelphia Inquirer, 4/30/20)
RESOURCES:
- GPCA Prosperity Report
- American for the Arts: Social Impact of the Arts
- City of Philadelphia proposed budget revisions
- NEH Cares Grant
RECORDING: