2026 Arts Voter Guide
Know the Issues. Explore the Candidates.
Make Your Voice Heard.
Arts, culture, and the humanities are essential to the civic, cultural, and economic vitality of Greater Philadelphia. They connect communities, fuel our regional economy, create jobs, and contribute to the identity of the places we call home.
At the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, we believe these vital cultural assets deserve sustained public investment and meaningful representation in the decisions shaping our communities.
As Pennsylvania voters prepare for the November 3 General Election, the Cultural Alliance is pleased to present its 2026 Arts Voter Guide, a nonpartisan resource designed to help artists, creative workers, cultural organizations, and the broader community better understand where candidates stand on issues impacting our region’s creative sector.
Through responses to questions addressing arts funding, cultural policy, creative workforce development, and other priorities, the guide offers voters an opportunity to explore candidates’ perspectives and consider how their positions may shape the future of arts and culture across Greater Philadelphia.
Explore the Guide. Understand the Issues. Make an Informed Vote.
Inside the 2026 Arts Voter Guide
The Cultural Alliance invited candidates in selected Pennsylvania’s gubernatorial and congressional races to respond to a common set of questions about the issues and opportunities facing our creative community.
A Note About Candidate Participation
The 2026 Arts Voter Guide does not include every candidate running in Pennsylvania’s gubernatorial and congressional races. All candidates in the races presented were invited to respond to the same set of questions, and the guide includes responses from those who participated.
We encourage voters to consider this when reviewing the guide and to seek additional information as they make informed decisions at the ballot box.
Arts and culture are vital drivers of our region’s civic and economic vitality, and we believe candidates for public office should understand their importance to the communities they seek to represent.
Explore the complete guide below.
This is a nonpartisan voter education resource. Candidate responses are presented for informational purposes and do not constitute an endorsement of any candidate or political party by the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance.
Explore by Congressional District
Pennsylvania Congressional District 1
Encompassing all of Bucks County and portions of Montgomery County.
Pennsylvania Congressional District 3
Encompassing portions of Philadelphia, including West Philadelphia, much of Center City, Northwest Philadelphia, and parts of North Philadelphia.
Pennsylvania Congressional District 5
Encompassing Delaware County, portions of Chester and Montgomery Counties, and a section of South Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Ballot Question #2: The Future of Creative Philadelphia
Making Creative Philadelphia a Permanent Part of City Government
On November 3, Philadelphia voters will consider Ballot Question #2, a proposed amendment to the City’s Home Rule Charter that would establish Creative Philadelphia as a permanent office within City government, led by a Cabinet-level Chief Cultural Officer.
The Ballot Question
Shall the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to establish and define the functions of Creative Philadelphia, an office headed by the Chief Cultural Officer to promote the City’s arts, culture, and creative economy sector?
What Would This Change Mean?
Creative Philadelphia, formerly known as the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, currently operates under an executive order. The proposed amendment would formally establish the office in the City’s Home Rule Charter, providing greater administrative continuity across mayoral administrations.
The office’s responsibilities include supporting Philadelphia’s artists and cultural organizations, increasing public access to arts and culture, overseeing public art initiatives, and advancing the city’s creative economy.
A YES vote would approve formally establishing Creative Philadelphia within the City Charter.
A NO vote would leave the existing City Charter unchanged.
Importantly, the proposed amendment does not provide additional funding for Creative Philadelphia or the broader cultural sector. Decisions about public investment in arts and culture would continue through the City’s budget process.
Why This Matters to Philadelphia’s Cultural Community
The Cultural Alliance has long advocated for making Creative Philadelphia permanent. We believe a stable administrative infrastructure for arts and culture can have a transformative impact on the sector and the city as a whole, helping Philadelphia more fully leverage the economic, civic, and community benefits of its creative economy.
Make Your Voice Heard This Election Day
The arts are an important part of our communities, our economy, and our shared future. Understanding how candidates approach arts and cultural policy is one way to participate thoughtfully in the decisions that shape our region.
As you prepare to vote on November 3, we encourage you to explore the guide, review candidate responses, and share this resource with fellow artists, cultural leaders, neighbors, and community members.
Explore the Guide. Share the Resource. Be an Informed Voter.
For official voting information, polling locations, registration details, and other election resources, visit:
The 2026 Arts & Culture Voter Guide is intended for nonpartisan voter education. The inclusion or absence of a candidate’s response does not constitute an endorsement or opposition by the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance.
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