Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance to Award American Rescue Plan Act PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program Pandemic Payments

Applications open February 24, 2025 for individual arts professionals who suffered financial losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic 

February 4, 2025 (PHILADELPHIA) – The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance (“Cultural Alliance”) today announced the details of its regranting process for the American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program (“PACR”) Pandemic Payments to Art and Culture Professionals Component. As a regional partner to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (“DCED”), the Cultural Alliance will distribute grant funding to individual arts professionals in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties who suffered financial losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Grants of $3,000 each will be made available to 150 individuals selected through an application process, open from February 24 through March 21, 2025. In keeping with PCA’s approved criteria and in furtherance of values stated in the Cultural Alliance’s strategic plan, grants will be awarded  through an equitable lens to ensure the inclusion of  BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) individuals, low-income applicants, and those whose primary income is derived from the arts. 

“The pandemic has had a deep and long-lasting impact on our creative sector, not only due to the immediate closures of 2020 but also long-term shifts in consumer behavior. These grants are a critical lifeline for individual artists and cultural professionals who have been left out of traditional recovery programs and the Cultural Alliance is proud to partner with DCED to deliver funding to deserving professionals in our region,” said Patricia Wilson Aden, President & CEO, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance. 

Details on Grant Timeline and Eligibility 

Grant Timeline: 

  • February 24 Application opens 
  • March 21: Application closes 
  • March 24: Review process begins 
  • Late May: Award notification 
  • June: Funds distributed 

 

Grant Eligibility: 

  • Age: Must be 18 years old at time of application 
  • County of Residence: Must be a current resident of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, or Philadelphia Counties 
  • Length of Residency: Has been a resident of Pennsylvania for at least 12 months 
  • Arts & Culture Professional: Is an Artist or Arts & Culture Professional 
  • Primary Source of Income: Work as an Artist or Arts & Culture Professional constitutes at least 51% of applicant’s income 

In advance of the application opening, the Cultural Alliance will hold two virtual information sessions on grants available to individuals: 

 

Further application details are available on the Cultural Alliance website. 

 

More Grant Opportunities from the Cultural Alliance 

The Cultural Alliance is collaborating with DCED as a regranting partner in pursuit of its strategic goal to provide tangible resources to build the capacity of diverse communities. Through its regional partnership with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (“PCA”), the Cultural Alliance distributes over $500,000 annually in grants to small, community-based organizations and creative entrepreneurs throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania. 

Since 2021, the Cultural Alliance has fueled the aspirations of the region’s creative entrepreneurs through PCA’s Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program (CEA), providing over $400,000 in grants and consulting services to over 200 recipients. More information on the 2025 CEA Program is also available on the Cultural Alliance website. 

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About the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance: 

Established in 1972, the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance has proudly served as the region’s foremost advocate for arts and cultural for over 50 years. Our mission is to lead, strengthen and amplify the voices of a dynamic cultural community that sparks creativity, inspires people, and plays a vital role in fostering the health and wellbeing of the region. Representing a diverse cultural ecosystem—including museums, visual artists, dance companies, community art centers, musicians, historic sites, zoos, and more—the Cultural Alliance is dedicated to being a thought leader, trusted resource, and powerful advocate for the Greater Philadelphia creative sector. We are committed to driving positive change and supporting the collective vision of our community. For more information, please visit philaculture.org.