Quetcy Lozada

Quetcy M. Lozada was born and raised in the Hunting Park section of Philadelphia and is the proud mother of two amazing children Alexis Nicole and Jaime Jr. A life-long resident of the 7th District, including homes in Juniata Park and the St. Hugh’s community in Fairhill, Quetcy is currently residing in the Northwood section of the city. (https://phlcouncil.com/quetcylozada/)

How will your office support arts and culture organizations as well as artists in Philadelphia?

I am committed to the creation of a permanent, fully staffed, and fully funded Department of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy. I believe that support for the arts, artists, and Philadelphia’s creative economy is an important function of our city government. That importance should be recognized with the creation of a permanent department. I am interested in working with the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, the arts community and my council colleagues to make this a priority in the next administration.

What strategies will you support and what partnerships will you leverage to support the financial well-being of the artists and arts organizations who comprise the lifeblood of Philadelphia's creative sector?

I believe that the Philadelphia  Cultural Fund has been a successful program to drive public resources to local artists and local arts organizations. I believe this program could be greatly expanded to drive more resources to support diverse, emerging artists throughout the city. Additionally, I am interested in exploring dedicated tax revenues to support the arts throughout Philadelphia. I believe public investment in the arts produces a more dynamic and vibrant city and that these investments have long term benefits for Philadelphia’s development and economic health.

What will you do to ensure more equity in the way the City funds arts organizations?

I am especially interested in the artistic potential in Black, Brown, and working class communities throughout Philadelphia. Too often, these communities lack a platform or access to traditional means of arts funding. I believe in the importance of venues, for both visual and performing arts in neighborhoods throughout the city. I believe in the importance of increased exposure to the arts and arts curriculum in our public schools.

I believe that a neighborhood and community based strategy for supporting the arts will create more equitable outcomes than investments in our largest and most established arts organizations. These organizations are important, but too often our public dollars are supporting the best funded arts organizations in the city. This is not a strategy that will produce the diversity and equity that we so badly need.

Can you please provide specific examples of how you feel the creative and performing arts can influence positive outcomes for some of the major issues in the city?

The communities of Philadelphia are still struggling with the long term effects of the COVID pandemic, the spike in violence and civil unrest in recent years and the long term struggles of the opioid crisis.

I am a deep believer of the power of art and creative expression to promote healing and mitigate trauma. Yes, we have work to do to improve public safety in the neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia, but we can’t lose sight of the need to creatively express  the pain and loss of recent years and to find new pathways to joy. I believe that the arts play a crucial role in community recovery.

I also believe that Philadelphia’s artistic identity has a key role to play in the economic vitality of this city. We need to invest in our identity as a vibrant, creative, and cultured city. These are the kinds of cities that tourists choose to visit, and that people choose to move to and start businesses. I believe we have untapped potential in our creative economy, and that a thriving creative economy will be a driver of broader economic growth in Philadelphia.

Visitors will be coming to Philadelphia in 2026, for the World Cup, MLB All-Star game, and America’s 250th Anniversary. What will you do in January 2024, the first month of the new legislative session, to begin planning and coordination for residents and future travelers? 2026 will be a big year for Philadelphia, with multiple, major events putting the city on the national stage. It will be a generational opportunity to show what this city is and who we are as a people. I think it’s vitally important that we showcase Philadelphia arts and artists and share this city’s rich creative history with the many visitors who will come to Philadelphia. I am eager to start 2024 by meeting with the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, and other arts organizations and leaders to plan for how the creative character of Philadelphia can be woven into this important year.