Philadelphia’s arts and culture sector has faced multiple challenges over the past few years, from weathering a global pandemic to losing grant funding to the closing of institutions dedicated to arts education.
As the city prepares its first Cultural Plan, the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance released results from a sector-wide survey to learn about the challenges for our culture workers and potential solutions. Here are some takeaways from the survey.
Boost Philly’s Existing Cultural Assets
Philly’s far from lacking when it comes to a cultural heritage, from its museums to its theaters. But to succeed, the city must do more to present this diversity of history and artistry beyond the colonial era.
The report points to the semiquincentennial, with its collaborative promotion, events, and projects, as an example that can be replicated to amplify the cultural identity of neighborhoods across the city. And to make the arts more accessible and encourage participation, discount programs like Opera Philadelphia’s successful $11 ticket option can be a model.
Bridge the Divide Between Philly’s Neighborhoods
Respondents shared that neighborhoods “feel cut off from one another.” Suggestions to rectify this include more partnerships between larger institutions in Center City and smaller cultural spaces in other neighborhoods, strengthening our transit system to better connect residents to art institutions across the city, and more investment in the arts in Philadelphia’s public school system.
Low Wages and Unsustainable Gig Work Are Pushing Artists Out
Rising housing costs, low pay, and unrecognized additional labor are reasons some artists consider leaving the city in search of higher wages. Some suggestions to support artists include a guaranteed-income program specifically for creatives, similar to the Philadelphia Joy Bank; urging the city to prioritize local artists for projects rather than contractors outside Philly; and broadening the city’s Percent for Art program.
Philly Needs Permanent Arts Advocacy
The local arts community said the city can do more to build upon its existing support for the arts. The report suggests making Creative Philadelphia, the city government’s main hub for artistic opportunities, a permanent cabinet-level department. And the city's overall plan for growth and development, Philadelphia2035, should integrate the arts to ensure investments in the years to come.
🎭 Want to learn more about the report and how to support Philly’s art scene? There’s a webinar today at noon. You can read the full Cultural Dynamics report here.
