Teens Celebrate End of Summer Internships with STAMP Party at Old City Museums

Philadelphia, PA—The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance’s STAMP (Students at Museums in Philly) program is planning a blockbuster event for Philadelphia teens, STAMP in Old City, on Thursday, August 14, from 3:30-6:30pm. Hundreds of Philadelphia teens, including participants in Philadelphia Youth Network’s WorkReady Philadelphia internship program, will converge on the historic district for a free afternoon of live music, games and parties throughout six of the area’s top museums and attractions.

The STAMP in Old City event will kick off Year 3 of STAMP and is also the culmination of the citywide WorkReady summer internship program. STAMP passholders, WorkReady interns and all Philadelphia teens ages 14-19 are invited to attend this free event.

“STAMP really introduced me to the amazing arts and culture in the city, and now, through a WorkReady internship with the Cultural Alliance, I’ve learned what it’s like to work in that community. I feel like I’ve really grown professionally because of my experience here,” said Ashley Walker, STAMP passholder and WorkReady intern at the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance. “It’s also been great to make friends and develop new relationships with my coworkers and fellow interns. I’m really looking forward to celebrating all of our hard work this summer at the STAMP in Old City party.”

Teens will arrive at the National Constitution Center at 3:30pm, then have the opportunity to explore special programming at the African American Museum in Philadelphia, National Liberty Museum, National Museum of American Jewish History, Philadelphia History Museum and Independence Visitor Center. The afternoon will end back at the Constitution Center at 5:30pm, where teens can have a bite to eat, win prizes, take selfies with the Founding Fathers in Signers’ Hall, and enjoy a dance party hosted by 17-year-old DJ Marcus of Fun Safe Philly Summer. The Cultural Alliance will also formally welcome the two additional museum partners that will accept the STAMP Pass in Year 3: National Liberty Museum and Bartram’s Garden.

“We applaud the City of Philadelphia, WorkReady, and all of our STAMP museum partners for opening their doors to Philly teens,” said Maud Lyon, Cultural Alliance President. “Research shows that national summer employment rates for teens have declined in recent years nationwide, and it’s no secret that arts classes and field trips are being cut in Philadelphia schools. Programs like STAMP and WorkReady are much-needed for teens to learn skills they’ll need for their futures, feel engaged in their communities, and gain access to opportunities they can’t get in their regular curriculum.”

Registration for this event is free at http://phillystamppass.org/oldcity. While RSVP is not required, teens who do register in advance will be entered to win an additional special prize during the dance party.

For more information about STAMP in Old City, please contact Alison Zeidman at alisonz@philaculture.org or 215-805-5737.

ABOUT STAMP
STAMP is a community engagement initiative from the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, and the STAMP Pass is available at no charge to teens ages 14-19 who live in the City of Philadelphia. Teens who are new to the program can sign up for a STAMP Pass at www.phillySTAMPpass.org.

Participating STAMP museums and cultural institutions:

African American Museum in Philadelphia    
Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
Barnes Foundation    
Bartram’s Garden
Eastern State Penitentiary    
Fabric Workshop and Museum
The Franklin Institute    
Institute of Contemporary Art    
Mutter Museum
National Constitution Center
National Liberty Museum
National Museum of American Jewish History
Penn Museum
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Philadelphia History Museum
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Philadelphia Zoo

STAMP is made possible by a leadership gift from Virginia and Harvey Kimmel. Additional support is provided by the Hess Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Lomax Family Foundation, The Philadelphia Foundation’s Fund for Children, Wells Fargo, Wyncote Foundation and 25th Century Foundation.

ABOUT THE GREATER PHILADELPHIA CULTURAL ALLIANCE
Established in 1972, the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance is the region’s leading arts and cultural advocacy, research and marketing organization. Our mission is to “lead, strengthen and give voice to a diverse cultural sector that is making Philadelphia a world-class region to live, work, and play.”  Our membership includes over 400 organizations ranging from museums and dance companies to community art centers, historic sites, music ensembles and zoos. Our members, as well as the cultural community as a whole, count on the Alliance for signature research reports on the health and growth of the sector; grantmaking in partnership with the Pennsylvania Council on the arts; robust professional development and membership services; marketing and audience development through our signature consumer marketing programs, Phillyfunguide.com and Funsavers; and leadership in policy and community engagement through our GroundSwell advocacy initiative and STAMP teen program. For more information on the Cultural Alliance, please visit www.philaculture.org.