Philadelphia’s individual artists, small and mid-size nonprofit arts organizations, and small creative enterprises are invited to apply.

PHILADELPHIA – 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 are pleased to announce the launch of the $1 million Illuminate the Arts Grant. The online application opens today, Tuesday, May 4 at 12:00 p.m. and will remain available through Friday, May 28.

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 disproportionally 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. City Council’s transfer ordinance of $1.3 million to OACCE allocated $1 million for the Illuminate the Arts Grants, with additional funds for a temporary full-time staffer to oversee the administrative responsibilities, repay artists and arts organizations that OACCE canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic, and to support artists and arts organizations for neighborhood programming in 2021. The Illuminate the Arts Grants will be distributed by OACCE with support from the ACTF.

“Supporting our arts and culture community is crucial to our recovery from COVID-19,” said Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson. “Individual artists and small businesses often struggle to receive funding and didn’t receive any support from the initial stimulus packages. I’m thrilled we were able to put together this program and invest in our artists.”

“Supporting the arts is vital to the wellness of Philadelphia’s communities,” said Councilmember Isaiah Thomas. “This is especially important as the City strives to ensure there are safe and fun activities for Philadelphia youth. Supporting our arts and culture community through the Illuminate the Arts Grant is a major step towards that goal.”

Eligibility

The Illuminate the Arts Grant application process and eligibility requirements are uniquely geared to meet the needs of this community and provide relief quickly and efficiently. The grants 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 Grants will be able to support. Applicants can submit only one request/application to the Illuminate the Arts Grant but are encouraged to apply for support through other relief funding available from local, state, and national levels. A list of other resources is available at creativephl.org/opportunities.
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 or call 215-600-9383 for assistance with the application. Language access support is available by request.
About the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy
The Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy closes the gap in access to quality cultural experiences and creative expression through the support and promotion of arts, culture and the creative industries; connecting Philadelphians to enriching, arts-infused experiences; linking local artists and cultural organizations to resources and opportunities; and preserving the City’s public art assets. For more information about the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, visit CreativePHL.org and follow @CreativePHL on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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