Member Spotlight

Ever wondered what it’s like to work at the Cultural Alliance? We’ll introduce you to members of our staff! This…

Jazz Bridge Project assists Jazz and Blues musicians living in the Greater Philadelphia Metro area who face financial, health, housing and similar crises.  A registered 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, they also support musicians by providing paid performance opportunities through their live neighborhood concerts and special event presentations. Their concerts celebrate the Philadelphia Jazz & Blues tradition and build cultural awareness throughout the region. As a service organization in the arts and culture community, they are uniquely positioned to address the suffering resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite new challenges, they remain committed to assisting Jazz and Blues artists of all ages and backgrounds. Read more in our blog!

The first ever Arts Montco Week will be held Friday, September 17 through Sunday, September 26 in partnership the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board. From theatrical performances to art galleries, concerts, and everything in between, Arts Montco Week aims to showcase the county’s wide variety and consistently high quality of arts and culture venues. Some of the participating venues are also Cultural Alliance members, like Act II Playhouse. Founded in 1998, Act II Playhouse is committed to creating and programming theatre that is accessible and entertaining. Through that commitment, they have won several Barrymore Awards, pivoted to streamed performances during the pandemic, and are excited to return to live theater this fall. Read more about them in our blog (opens in new tab)!

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 (opens in new tab) and follow them on Instagram/Facebook (@asianartsphilly)!

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.