We Are the Seeds of CultureTrust is committed to amplifying Indigenous voices through the arts. The organization was founded by a team of Indigenous women who are dedicated to honoring Native arts and cultures as a means to understanding Indigenous peoples, the history of (what is now called) the United States, and who we all are as American people today. We Are the Seeds produces cultural events that feature Indigenous fine art, music, dance, fashion, literary, and culinary art. Additionally, Seeds hosts interactive art programs that focus on educating and empowering the youth.

One might think that remaining closed during the pandemic would mean quiet months. But for the team at Please Touch Museum (PTM), it’s been exactly the opposite. There is a ton of action behind-the-scenes as its team works to “Create the Future of Play” for the children of Philadelphia and beyond. With an eye toward reopening in 2021, PTM is reimagining much of its lower level in historic Memorial Hall with a new gallery, a forthcoming Makerspace and a total reinvention of its most beloved exhibit, The Market.  Read about just a few of the exciting projects that families can look forward to in 2021.  

It goes without saying that this is a challenging time for those of dedicated to the live performing arts. At People’s Light, a professional Regional Theatre located in Malvern, PA, their hearts are missing that frisson of live connection. However, they continue to be driven by their commitment to make theatre in a larger sense.  In their mission, People’s Light identifies itself as a cultural and civic center with theatre at its core. Positioned in this way, theatre is the stuff we can create, but also a way of generating space for ongoing civic engagement and dialogue with and for our communities. So while they can’t safely produce plays in this moment, their charge to use artistry and creativity for ongoing civic and community engagement remains. In this article, they offer ways that they have continued to make theatre at People’s Light since the pandemic has taken hold. 

On June 10 nearly 60 cultural leaders and arts supporters gathered for a reception at People's Light in Malvern to celebrate the launch of the Chester County Cultural Coalition. Sponsored by the Chester County Community Foundation, the reception featured remarks from Chester County Commissioners chair Michelle Kichline, who spoke of her life-long interest in the arts and the many positive impacts arts and culture has on county residents.

Historic Germantown is a consortium of 18 cultural, historic and green sites located in Philadelphia’s “Old German Township,” now the neighborhoods of Chestnut Hill, Mt. Airy and Germantown. They work collaboratively to share knowledge and resources to help sustain these places, and promote diverse stories and histories that inspire and educate residents, students and visitors, all contributing to the cultural and economic development of the community. For more information, visit the Cultural Alliance blog.

For 26 years, Asian Arts Initiative has served as an important community anchor providing artists and community members both the physical and creative space to explore complex and topical issues through art. Since their founding in 1993 to address rising racial tensions following the wake of the Rodney King trial verdict and the Los Angeles uprisings, Asian Arts Initiative continues to service their mission to create community through the power of art. Over the years, they have experienced and witnessed the transformative power of art to not only bring diverse groups together, but to bring healing, dialogue, and inspire action towards a more just and equitable society. Today, Asian Arts Initiative provides a wide array of programming to serve artists, youth, and our broader community of Asian/Americans to advance racial equity using art as the driving force of change. To learn more, check out our blog or visit their website and follow them on Instagram/Facebook (@asianartsphilly)!

Leeway Foundation
Denise Brown, Executive Director
http://leeway.org

The Leeway Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports women, trans and gender nonconforming artists and cultural producers working at the intersection of art and social justice in Greater Philadelphia and offers two public grants annually. They are committed to the sustainability of artists lives and the lives of their communities, and it is for this reason that they partner with arts organizations to offer residency opportunities to existing grantees. Throughout the year, Leeway also presents free skill-building workshops and public events that elevate our grantees and the work we exist to support. Learn more about them and how you can help them celebrate their 25th anniversary on our blog!