Advocacy Alert

Dear Supporter,

As we look towards the city’s new fiscal year, effective July 1, I’m reminded of how far we have come and how much there still is to do. When budget deliberations began in City Hall last month, the Cultural Alliance outlined six key priorities to city leaders calling for a stable investment across the city’s arts portfolio. Several of those priorities received consistent funding in FY25, including two important grant funds in our cultural community: Illuminate the Arts and the Philadelphia Cultural Fund. Additionally, Mural Arts Philadelphia’s funding was restored to $3.6 million thanks to this sector’s advocacy and support. Lastly, the Cultural Alliance was pleased to see capital funding maintained across a majority of city-owned institutions.

We know that this month has been particularly challenging for our cultural community due to the abrupt closure of the University of the Arts, with students and faculty – who are the creative heartbeat of Philadelphia – bearing the weight of that decision. The UArts closing and the resulting cascade of consequences only highlights the need for policies that will safeguard, support, and sustain the creative sector. Foremost among those policies – consistent funding for artists, neighborhood organizations, and institutions – will be vital to anchoring Philadelphia’s creative economy. We appreciate Mayor Cherelle Parker’s strategic investments in the FY25 Budget and look forward to working with her Administration led by Chief Cultural Officer, Valerie Gay, Council President Kenyatta Johnson, and members of the Philadelphia City Council to boldly invest in the city’s arts and culture portfolio in FY26 and beyond.

Once again, the Cultural Alliance and members of Philadelphia’s creative sector made sure that our voices were heard. Our community sent 1,520 messages in support of arts funding and I can’t thank you enough for your steadfast support. Our future is bright, but we must remain vigilant. Now more than ever, it’s clear that the creative economy needs financial investment and stability. We must take our seat at the table to assist our appointed and elected leaders in solving Philadelphia’s multifaceted challenges. The Cultural Alliance stands ready to contribute to this important conversation.

In service,