January 14, 2011 Karim Olaechea Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance karimo@philaculture.org; 215-399-3518 PHILADELPHIA – On February 15, the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance will distribute more than $95,000 in Project Stream grants to 40 nonprofit arts groups and performers from around the region at an award ceremony to be held at PECO’s Energy Hall. The grants provide seed money to arts organizations offering innovative, community-based arts projects in southeastern Pennsylvania, and are made possible through the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts’ (PCA) Partners in the Arts program with additional support provided by PECO. “The Cultural Alliance is proud to be a regional partner of the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts,” said Tom Kaiden, President of the Cultural Alliance. “These small-scale grants provide crucial funds for community-based organizations that are making art that is essential to the health and cultural vitality of our communities” The Cultural Alliance’s Project Stream provides grants of up to $3,000 to eligible organizations and individuals conducting arts projects in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties.  This year, 80 groups applied for the program, and the average Project Stream award was $2,383. Among the programs selected are:

• the Kennett Area Senior Center’s Living History Storytelling Project, a theater program that helps seniors revive their memories while strengthening their mental and physical abilities,
• a series of instrumental master classes for students grades 3-12 organized by the Youth Orchestra of Bucks County,
• The Road Map for Life Workshop, an arts program that also provides life skills training for twelve high risk youth and culminates in an art exhibit, organized by Art for Justice in Montgomery County,
• a professional outdoor production of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” to be performed in West Philadelphia’s Clark Park,
• and Liveconnections.org, an innovative music education program for children and special needs populations from Freire Charter School that takes place at WXPN’s World Cafe Live.

For a full list of grant recipients broken down by county, visit: /programs/grantmaking/project_stream/recipients (opens in new tab) The statewide Partners in the Arts (PPA) program pairs PCA with 15 regional agencies to evaluate proposals and distribute grant awards for projects or programs involving artists.  The Cultural Alliance is PCA’s partner in the Philadelphia area.  The program enables PCA to reach a wider audience by increasing access to funds for organizations and artists across the state, thereby increasing statewide audience exposure to arts activities. For more information about the Project Stream grant program, visit: /programs/grantmaking/project_stream (opens in new tab) About Us The Cultural Alliance’s mission is to make Greater Philadelphia one of the foremost creative regions in the world. The Cultural Alliance believes that Greater Philadelphia grows stronger and more vibrant by growing its arts and culture. The Alliance’s work promotes that mission through initiatives that leverage arts and culture to inspire individuals and build community and civic engagement. These efforts include connecting cultural resources to community needs; providing direct services for nonprofit cultural organizations; leading cultural research, advocacy and policy work; and producing direct marketing programs for cultural consumers. The Cultural Alliance’s work reflects these key principles: Arts and culture is an engine for economic growth.  It has the power to elevate lives.  It has the power to educate.  We own it, as residents of the Greater Philadelphia region, because it comes from us.  It helps individuals come together and grow as a community.