March 2026

ByGreater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance

Welcome to March’s CultureWire! In celebration of Women’s History Month, we’re spotlighting women and femme leaders shaping our cultural ecosystem—while highlighting arts advocacy and the creative momentum building across our region. Let’s dive in.

Founded by women and powered by a collective of independent writers, Cultural Alliance member, thINKingDANCE, continues to elevate dance journalism in Philadelphia and beyond. In 2025, the digital journal published 115 articles and reached more than 30,000 readers, making it a standout example of women-led storytelling in the arts during Women’s History Month.

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 

  • The William Penn Foundation announced $7.6 million in grantsto expand affordable access to six of Philadelphia’s most visited cultural institutions through the Art-Reach ACCESS program, helping more low-income residents and people with disabilities visit museums and cultural sites. Read more from the William Penn Foundation. 
  • Arts leaders and organizations across PA, including the Cultural Alliance, are raising concerns after changes to state arts funding priorities, saying the shift toward economic development could reshape how cultural organizations access support. Read more from WHYY. 
  • Temple University, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and Ensemble Arts Philly announced a new partnership centered at Terra Hall, strengthening ties between higher education and the city’s performing arts ecosystem. Read more from the Philadelphia Inquirer. 
  • The Painted Bride named Risë Wilson as its new executive director, bringing national arts leadership experience—and a personal history with the organization—to guide its next chapter. Read more from the Philadelphia Inquirer. 
  • The international cultural community mourns visionary mosaic artist Isaiah Zagar, whose vibrant public artworks transformed Philadelphia’s South Street and helped define the city’s creative identity. Read more from Philadelphia Magazine. 
  • Dance groups across Philadelphia’s immigrant communities are preserving cultural traditions—from Aztec to Indonesian dance—while creating spaces for young people to build identity, belonging, and resilience. Read more from WHYY. 
  • The Cultural Alliance, PA Humanities, and Drexel University’s Westphal School of Media Arts & Design’s new report, Cultural Dynamics, highlights Philadelphia’s vibrant cultural scene and the challenges it faces, including fragmented systems and limited access to resources. Read more from WHYY. 

Updates from the Cultural Alliance

Take Action for Arts Funding: Join Arts Advocacy Day – March 24

As shared in our most recent Advocacy Alert, Pennsylvania’s arts funding system is facing major changes following PA Creative Industries’ restructuring of statewide grant programs—changes that could significantly impact artists, educators, and cultural organizations across the Commonwealth. Now is the time to speak up.

Join the Cultural Alliance and partners from across Pennsylvania for Arts Advocacy Day in Harrisburg on March 24 to connect with legislators and advocate for stable, equitable arts funding. Register for Arts Advocacy Day on March 24 and stay updated through our Advocacy Alerts.

Philadelphia’s Creative & Nighttime Economy Month Returns This March  

This March, the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Commerce and Creative Philadelphia will celebrate the Fourth Annual Creative and Nighttime Economy Month, a citywide series of events highlighting artists, entrepreneurs, and cultural workers as key drivers of Philadelphia’s economy and identity. Throughout the month, industry leaders and experts will host conversations and programs focused on helping creatives start, operate, and grow their businesses while showcasing the vital role arts and culture play in the city’s vibrant nighttime economy. Learn more and explore upcoming events.

The 2026 Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator (CEA) Program is Now Open Until May 22

Applications are currently open for the Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator (CEA) Program, funded by PA Creative Industries (powered by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts). CEA supports creative entrepreneurs starting or operating a for-profit microbusiness by providing access to small business consulting and financial resources. Applications are open through May 22. Learn more and apply today.

Don’t Miss Our Spring Member Mixer on March 12

Join us for our Spring Member Mixer this Thursday, March 12 at CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia (1315 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107) from 5:30 – 8pm. The evening will include networking, cocktails, food, and brief updates from the Cultural Alliance. Slots are still available, so register today! 

Registration is free for Cultural Alliance members. Not a member? Contact Madeline Avarese, Membership Associate, madelinea@philaculture.org to learn how to join.

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 program support provided by the Cultural Alliance, along with a stipend for each intern placed at your organization. Applications are open through March 30, 2026. Learn more and apply to help shape the next generation of arts leaders.

ADVERTISEMENT

Don’t forget, we offer our members great pricing on our available marketing products. Our monthly CultureWire newsletter has over 5,000 subscribers and our Job Bank attracts over 70,000 pageviews per month, so what are you waiting for? Work with the Cultural Alliance to promote your upcoming show, program, or just to remind the sector who you are. 

For more information on how you can utilize our Marketing Services and Advertising Options (opens in new tab), please reach out to Madeline Avarese, Membership Associate, at madelinea@philaculture.org.

By the Numbers

Pennsylvania ranks 33rd in the nation for per capita arts funding—despite ranking in the top 10 for arts vibrancy and employing more than 176,000 creative workers. This gap is alarming. As funding programs are restructured and many organizations risk losing support, the Commonwealth must increase its investment in the arts now to protect the artists, cultural organizations, and community programs that power our creative economy. 

Learn more by reviewing our Virtual Town Hall on PA Arts Funding slidedeck, and join us on March 24 at Arts Advocacy Day in Harrisburg to urge legislators for increased investments in the arts. 

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.

SEE MORE ON THE JOB BANK

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.

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