Letter to Arts Funders about COVID-19 Impact

This letter was sent to arts and culture funders in the Greater Philadelphia Region on 3/18/20 about the impact of COVID-19 on arts and culture organizations in the region.

Dear Arts & Culture Funder:

During this time of great uncertainty, our thoughts and prayers go out to all who have already been personally impacted by the crisis and we are mindful that there are still challenging weeks and likely months ahead.

As you are aware, the current COVID-19 crisis is having a devastating impact on all businesses in our region. In an effort to get a better sense of the impact on the arts and culture sector, last week, the Cultural Alliance sent a survey to our members. At that time most organizations had made the difficult decision to either close their doors or cancel performances for the foreseeable future. It is likely with the ongoing changes in local, state and federal mandates that more staff will be furloughed and organizations will be under increasing pressure. As the situation continues to evolve it is clear the impact will be deep and long term. 

As the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, we have an important role to play in connecting with and supporting our members.  We also want to provide information and analysis that will help our members and the sector as a whole during this time and in the months and possibly years it might take to recover. We will continue to survey our members and will be reaching out to you to keep you informed about the impact and discuss ways we might work together to create solutions.  We know that you care about other needs of the cultural community as well as other sectors that are being hit by this. 

In the coming weeks we will begin to implement an action plan as a leading voice for the sector and as an advocate for the importance of arts and culture to a vibrant community. As this work evolves, your perspective and guidance will be essential.  While these are turbulent times filled with uncertainty, we are hopeful that in the coming months things will begin to resolve.

Your important role in support of arts and culture organizations has made Philadelphia one of the leading regions for arts and culture in the country. We look forward to working in partnership with you to assure that we continue to be a city and region that has a vibrant and vital arts and cultural community.  If you have questions or ways that we can be helpful to you now, please reach out to us. 

We wish you and your families good health during this challenging time.

Sincerely,

Maud Lyon, President	Catherine M. Cahill, Board Chair