This post was written by Carrie Leibrand, Community Engagement Manager for the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy

Today, the City of Philadelphia Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (OACCE), the Arts and Culture Task Force (ACTF), and City Councilmembers Isaiah Thomas and Katherine Gilmore Richardson announced the launch of the $1 million Illuminate the Arts Grant.

The Illuminate the Arts Grants are a means to help sustain and stimulate the recovery of Philadelphia’s arts and culture community, which has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of $1 million will be distributed to Philadelphia’s individual artists, small and mid-size nonprofit arts organizations, and small creative enterprises. The grant seeks to financially uplift Philadelphia’s creative sector and support disadvantaged communities, particularly Philadelphia’s Black and Brown communities, that have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Created by City Councilmembers Isaiah Thomas and Katherine Gilmore Richardson, the funds for the Illuminate the Arts Grants came from City Council’s New Normal Budget Act as an investment to address racial disparities in the City of Philadelphia. The Illuminate the Arts Grants will be distributed by OACCE with support from the ACTF.

Who is eligible?

Applicants must live and operate in Philadelphia county. The Illuminate the Arts Grant will support:

  • Individual artists (with a total annual income of $60,000 or less) can apply for a grant of $1,000.
  • Small nonprofit arts organizations (operating budgets of $100,000 or less) can apply for grants ranging from $5,000-$10,000.
  • Mid-size nonprofit arts organizations (operating budgets between $101,000-$500,000) can apply for grants ranging from $10,000-$20,000.
  • Small creative enterprises (operating budgets less than $500,000) can apply for grants ranging from $2,500-$15,000.

This will be a competitive grant with more eligible applicants than the $1 million Illuminate the Arts Grant will be able to support.

How do I apply?

Eligible applicants can apply online at bit.ly/illuminatethearts. If you are unable to complete the application through the online Submittable form, please email arts@phila.gov for assistance with the application. Language access support is available by request. Puede solicitar apoyo para el acceso a los idiomas.

What is the deadline?

The deadline for applications is Friday, May 28, 2021.

Apply for the Illuminate the Arts Grant.