I write to express my strong support for increased investment in Pennsylvania’s arts and culture sector as part of this year’s budget. Specifically, I support an additional $5 million in funding, bringing the total allocation to $14.5 million to sustain and strengthen the arts and cultural ecosystem across the Commonwealth.

This investment is critical to fully realize the social and economic impact of Pennsylvania’s creative sector after years of flat funding and rising costs. Arts and cultural organizations—particularly small and mid-sized, community-based groups—are facing real financial pressure that is already impacting programming, staffing, and access. A targeted increase will help stabilize these organizations while ensuring they can continue to serve residents in every region of the state.

Importantly, this funding should be structured to both restore and strengthen the sector. A portion should address inflationary pressures and support the restoration of traditional arts grants that preserve our communities’ cultural identity and expand access to arts education across the state. Creating sustainable pathways for small and mid-sized organizations to access operational funding must be a key objective, while the remainder should address inflationary pressures and restore the real value of the Commonwealth’s investment.

Further, the creative sector is not only central to our communities’ cultural identity but also a driver of economic activity, workforce development, and quality of life. Structuring funding to encourage strategic investment in our creative economy will help create jobs and build local economies.

Together, strategies to address inflationary pressures, restore established grants programs, and encourage place-based initiatives will ensure that Pennsylvania’s arts funding is both equitable and impactful.

In addition, I strongly encourage continued efforts to ensure transparency, accountability, and alignment in the administration of these funds, so that they reach the organizations and communities they are intended to serve.

Thank you for your leadership and your continued commitment to strengthening communities across the Commonwealth. We look forward to working together to advance this important investment.

I write to express my strong support for increased investment in Pennsylvania’s arts and culture sector as part of this year’s budget. Specifically, I support an additional $5 million in funding, bringing the total allocation to $14.5 million to sustain and strengthen the arts and cultural ecosystem across the Commonwealth.

This investment is critical to fully realize the social and economic impact of Pennsylvania’s creative sector after years of flat funding and rising costs. Arts and cultural organizations—particularly small and mid-sized, community-based groups—are facing real financial pressure that is already impacting programming, staffing, and access. A targeted increase will help stabilize these organizations while ensuring they can continue to serve residents in every region of the state.

Importantly, this funding should be structured to both restore and strengthen the sector. A portion should address inflationary pressures and support the restoration of traditional arts grants that preserve our communities’ cultural identity and expand access to arts education across the state. Creating sustainable pathways for small and mid-sized organizations to access operational funding must be a key objective, while the remainder should address inflationary pressures and restore the real value of the Commonwealth’s investment.

Further, the creative sector is not only central to our communities’ cultural identity but also a driver of economic activity, workforce development, and quality of life. Structuring funding to encourage strategic investment in our creative economy will help create jobs and build local economies.

Together, strategies to address inflationary pressures, restore established grants programs, and encourage place-based initiatives will ensure that Pennsylvania’s arts funding is both equitable and impactful.

In addition, I strongly encourage continued efforts to ensure transparency, accountability, and alignment in the administration of these funds, so that they reach the organizations and communities they are intended to serve.

Thank you for your leadership and your continued commitment to strengthening communities across the Commonwealth. We look forward to working together to advance this important investment.