February 2026
It’s February, a time to honor love, connection, and Black history. In this issue of CultureWire, we celebrate Black artists and cultural institutions, highlight equity-driven research, and share opportunities to connect—including updates on the Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program, advocacy news, a preview of our March Member Mixer, and details from our just released Cultural Dynamics Report. Let’s dive in!
Through its Africatown Project, Cultural Alliance member, the African Cultural Alliance of North America (ACANA) is shaping cultural place-making in Southwest Philadelphia—celebrating African, African American, and Caribbean heritage through festivals, storytelling, and community gatherings that bring people together.
Be part of our community today! Join or renew your Cultural Alliance membership and help uplift the arts, culture, and humanities across Greater Philadelphia.
Arts & Culture in the News
- New leadership news across major regional arts organizations:
- Christina Vassallo has been named the new Executive Director of the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, bringing deep experience in cultural strategy and impact.
- At Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), Kristen Shepherd steps in as President & CEO, leading the institution into its next chapter.
- The Philadelphia Museum of Art announced Daniel H. Weiss as its new Director and CEO, alongside transitions among other senior leaders, marking a period of change and opportunity for the museum.
- After controversy and internal review, the Philadelphia Museum of Art has restored its original name following a brief rebrand earlier this year. Read more from the Philadelphia Inquirer.
- The Trump Administration’s Executive Order prompted the removal of slavery interpretive panels at Philadelphia’s President’s House Memorial, and has sparked national concern about historical erasure as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary. Read more from the New York Times.
- Federal officials have ordered the removal of signs and exhibits about Native American mistreatment, climate change, and other historic content from national parks, sparking concern about erasure of science and history at iconic sites like Grand Canyon and Glacier. Read more from the Washington Post.
- In “Rare Accidents,” Quintessence blends two history plays into one look at performing your best self — on stage and off. Read more from Billy Penn.
- Costumes from the Oscar-nominated film Sinners—which set a record with 16 Oscar nominations—are now on view at the African American Museum in Philadelphia through September, showcasing designer Ruth E. Carter’s Afrofuturist wardrobe and celebrating Black creativity in cinema. Read more from WHYY.
- Philadelphia-area talents jazz bassist Christian McBride, producer Will Yip, and songwriter Andre Harris all took home Grammy Awards at the 2026 ceremony, shining a spotlight on the region’s musical impact. Read more from Philly Voice.
Updates from the Cultural Alliance
The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance Releases a New Report, Cultural Dynamics
The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, in collaboration with PA Humanities, Drexel University’s Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, and Creative Philadelphia is pleased to announce the release of Cultural Dynamics, a new, community-driven report designed to help shape Philadelphia’s first citywide Cultural Plan. Grounded in voices from across the cultural sector, the report outlines key challenges and opportunities—and a call to unify, amplify, and invest.
Visit our webpage to download the report and join us on February 17 for a live virtual presentation to explore the report’s findings and what comes next. Register here.
State Arts Funding Transitions: Join the Conversation & Take Action
The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance continues to work closely with partners across the Commonwealth to assess the impact of—and coordinate a statewide strategy around—recent changes announced by PA Creative Industries to its grant programs. As outlined in our Information Update, the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA) program will conclude after FY26, ending the Cultural Alliance’s role as regional administrator. The Creative Sector Flex Fund will sunset after FY26 and be replaced by the Creative Asset Program, with applications submitted directly to PA Creative Industries. The Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator, after the spring round, will also transition to statewide administration, with updates expected later in 2026.
Join us for a virtual “Town Hall” to discuss these changes on Wednesday, February 25 at 12pm. Register Here. More details will be shared—watch CultureWire and our Advocacy Alerts for updates.
The 2026 Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator (CEA) Program Opens Monday, March 2
A program funded by PA Creative Industries (powered by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts), CEA provides creative entrepreneurs who aspire to start their own for-profit business, or who operate an existing for-profit micro business, with access to small business consulting services and financial resources. Learn more about the program and register for the virtual Information Session on Tuesday, February 24 at 1pm.
Now Open: Creative Asset Program Grants in PA
The PA Creative Industries has launched its Creative Asset Program, offering non-matching grants of $10,000–$15,000 to small to mid-sized creative organizations that align with its strategic focus areas like community and workforce development, visibility, and policy.
Applications open February 2 and close March 16, 2026—with funding supporting eligible activities July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027. Learn more and apply to help grow your organization’s impact across the Commonwealth.
Get Involved: Become a Bloomberg Arts Internship Worksite
Philadelphia arts and culture organizations are invited to apply to serve as a Bloomberg Arts Internship worksite for Summer 2026. Host a motivated high school junior for the eight-week program (June 20–August 15) and receive intern wages and programmatic support provided by the Cultural Alliance, along with a generous worksite stipend paid per intern. Applications are open through March 30, 2026. Learn more and apply to help shape the next generation of arts leaders.
Save the Date: Our Spring Member Mixer
Join us for our next Member Mixer on Thursday, March 12 at CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia from 5:30 – 8pm for an evening of networking, cocktails, and food located inside the Philadelphia Building (1315 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107). Our partners at CultureWorks will also provide a brief discussion on their coworking space and details on how they help support members of our community. Registration and more event details are forthcoming; stay tuned!
Registration is free for Cultural Alliance members. Not a member? Contact Madeline Avarese, Membership Associate, madelinea@philaculture.org to learn how to join.
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By the Numbers
Cultural Dynamics is rooted in broad, citywide participation from Philadelphia’s cultural community. Through 4 Community Conversations, a sector-wide survey, a virtual insight session, 500+ participants shared their experiences—generating 6,000+ comments from artists, cultural workers, institutions, residents, and civic partners across the city.
These voices directly shaped the report’s findings and inform a clear call to action for how Philadelphia’s cultural ecosystem can unify, amplify, and invest in its future. Learn more about the report’s findings here.
Job Bank
The Cultural Alliance’s Job Bank is Greater Philadelphia’s top resource for job opportunities in arts and culture. You’ll find positions at all professional levels in museums, theaters, historic sites, art galleries, dance studios, community centers, and much more. Keep reading for the most recent listings from Member organizations.
- Studio Manager at Bird Studio
- Director of Finance at the Walnut Street Theatre
- Administrative Associate at the Academy of Vocal Arts
- Assistant Director of Programs & Exhibitions with the National Liberty Museum
- Program Assistant at Girls First
- Visitor Relations Representative at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
- Graphic Designer with the Philadelphia Film Society
- Casting Call for Actors for the Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust
Want to connect to candidates? The Cultural Alliance’s Job Bank has 60,000+ views each month. Job listings are free for Cultural Alliance Members and start at just $95 for non-Members. Learn more.
