CultureWire

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.  

This summer, the Cultural Alliance has continued to follow through on our recommitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) work made in our Arts & Culture for Racial Justice statement in early June. On July 13 and 27, the Cultural Alliance hosted two happy hour events for Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) members of the arts and culture community in Greater Philadelphia. In August, we facilitated an Anti-Racism Conversation for White Arts Administrators to begin the individual and internal work required to dismantle systemic racism in our sector.

This summer, for the sixth year, the Cultural Alliance paired 30 incredible Philadelphia high school students with member organizations across the city for a Bloomberg Arts Internship program like none other. Using tools like Zoom, Slack, and a social networking platform called Open Social, interns participated in dozens of hours of professional development, college readiness, and cultural immersion activities.

Standing on the shoulders of elders who fought for women’s rights, ANNA Crusis is furthering feminism and music to incite social change into the future. The longest-running feminist women’s choir in the United States, founded in 1975, ANNA’s current membership embraces diversity of age, ethnicity and gender identity. Their musical repertoire reflects the rich spectrum of human lives and struggles, shedding light on issues facing immigrants and refugees, young people, women, the LGBTQ+ community, and others. ANNA self-produces two major concerts each year and performs many community outreach programs throughout the season such as benefits, rallies, LGBTQ+ community events, prisons and shelters — anywhere that music can bring a sense of hope and empowerment. ANNA is also a founding member of Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses (GALA) and a member of Sister Singers Network, a cooperative web of feminist ensembles and musicians working together to support and enrich the women’s choral movement.