Advocacy Alert

Dear Cultural Alliance Community,

We are reaching out again today to enlist your help as we continue to advocate for arts and culture funding at the local, state, and federal levels.

State budget discussions are ongoing in Harrisburg, and we expect negotiations to continue into July. While lawmakers continue to negotiate, we have a critical window of opportunity to advocate for Pennsylvania's creative sector. Creative Pennsylvania, formerly Citizens for the Arts Pennsylvania, is requesting a modest but meaningful $1 million increase to the PA Grants to the Arts line item for FY 2025-26, bringing total funding to $10.59 million. These grants fund a wide range of arts initiatives across every county of Pennsylvania, supporting nonprofit organizations, creative entrepreneurs, community development projects, cultural preservation efforts, artist residencies, and arts apprenticeships to strengthen the creative sector. If fulfilled, this request would represent the first increase this vital funding stream has seen in ten consecutive years—at a time when our sector desperately needs state support to offset significant cuts in federal funding.

Arts and cultural organizations across Pennsylvania are feeling the impact of federal funding cuts, and state support has never been more essential to maintaining the creative infrastructure that strengthens our communities, drives economic development, and enhances quality of life for all Pennsylvanians.

With budget negotiations expected for at least another week or longer, now is the time for Southeastern Pennsylvania creatives to use our collective voice. In alignment with Creative PA and allies across the state, we encourage you to contact your district representative and state senator to emphasize the crucial need for this modest funding increase.

The data speaks for itself: Pennsylvania's creative industries generate $30.4 billion in economic activity annually—more than our state's educational services and utilities sectors combined. Yet Pennsylvania ranks a disappointing 33rd nationally in per capita spending on state arts agencies at just $0.82 per capita, far behind neighboring states like Maryland ($5.47), Delaware ($5.62), and New Jersey ($4.32). This funding gap puts our communities at a competitive disadvantage when it comes to attracting residents, businesses, and talent who value quality of place and cultural amenities.

Your advocacy matters. Together, we can ensure that Pennsylvania's creative sector receives the resources it needs to continue contributing to our state's economic vitality and cultural richness.

Sincerely,

Please note: Our office has moved a few floors up in the Philadelphia Building (1315 Walnut Street). Please note our new mailing address: