PA Humanities

This week, PA Humanities presented to a packed room of legislators and cultural leaders at the PA Arts & Culture Caucus in Harrisburg. We shared new research highlighting the critical role of the cultural sector in driving economic development and community well-being—and the urgent need for strong support. We were honored to present alongside our friends at Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, who are undergoing some exciting rebranding work. Big thank you to Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council for their ongoing research partnership. Tag: Patrick Stefano, Erin C. Molchany, Laurie Zierer, Dawn Frisby Byers

Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, and PA Humanities designed a survey to better understand how federal funding cuts will impact the arts and culture sector. We encourage all grantees to fill out the survey to help us, the arts community, and the community at large better understand potential funding challenges you face and how you're addressing them. #survey #arts #music #culture #funding #philadelphia #community https://lnkd.in/e9ShzRkg

? Make your voice heard! Pennsylvania cultural organizations are strongly encouraged to complete this federal funding impact survey by March 31. Your responses will directly shape our federal advocacy efforts. We’re proud to collaborate with the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council on this important research. ?? Take the survey now: https://lnkd.in/e9ShzRkg

I am proud that PA Humanities is united with our museum and library partners. Join me. Call Congress, share your story, take our federal funding survey. It's time to act. More: https://lnkd.in/ezseVv55

PA Humanities stands firmly against the proposed elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). This executive order threatens to disrupt local services, limit educational opportunities, and significantly undermine the work of cultural institutions across Pennsylvania. Museums and libraries are the heart of our communities. Eliminating the IMLS would harm the social and economic fabric of our state—jeopardizing thousands of jobs and vital community programs. Now is the time to raise our voices! Share why museums and libraries matter to you, and urge your representatives to protect the IMLS. Together, we can ensure these institutions continue to educate, inspire, and sustain communities for generations to come. ?? Read our full statement & how you can take action today: https://lnkd.in/eTxAj4TR

Take our Federal Funding Impact Survey -- MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD! How would a freeze, reduction, or elimination in federal cultural funding impact you? Do you have a grant now -- or did you in the past, or hope to land one in the future? Tell us at PA Humanities why this funding is important to you, so we can advocate to keep these dollars local in PA. Then share it widely with your networks. LINK: https://lnkd.in/eSjAExwd The federal government is the single biggest funder dedicated to supporting arts and culture in PA. In the last five years, over $120M of grant funds came to PA from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Park Service's Historic Preservation Fund, National Endowment for the Arts, and National Endowment for the Humanities, our federal-state partner. Thanks to our survey partners at the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council.

Chester County's arts and culture organizations bring visitors into our communities, drive people toward our local, small businesses, and help power our economy. As these nonprofits navigate uncertain times, we are fortunate to have so many passionate individuals and organizations whose mission is to help these community treasures thrive and flourish. I want to thank my friends at Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, PA Humanities, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Chester County Community Foundation, Chester County Tourism, West Chester University of Pennsylvania, and Chesco250 for presenting at my Nonprofit Symposium and sharing your expertise. And to my chief of staff, Michael Hartman, and my entire D19 team for helping bring this event to life.?

"The Community Heart & Soul process allows me to grow as well as growing with my community." - Deb Shurtleff, Project Coordinator, Wyoming County Heart & Soul, Wyoming County, Pennsylvania In this video, Community Heart & Soul Project Coordinators share how the process helped them develop essential skills like public speaking, active listening, nonprofit collaboration, and local government engagement. Through one-on-one conversations with residents, they not only strengthened their communities but also deepened their own understanding of what it means to lead and connect. https://lnkd.in/ejzmjHPE PA Humanities #CommunityHeartandSoul #whatmattersmost #involveeveryone

?? What began in 2006 with a seed grant from PA Humanities has grown into a countywide reading program engaging over 1,300 students annually through the One Book, One Community program at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. With hands-on activities, live demonstrations, and immersive storytelling, students explore history in unforgettable ways. This year, they’ll excavate fossils, meet real paleontologists, and dive into Tooth and Claw: The Dinosaur Wars. ?? The program’s success—now reaching every public school district in Cambria County—is a testament to the lasting impact of humanities funding. Barbara (Stout) Zaborowski

Many thanks Senator Carolyn Comitta for the opportunity to share trends in the cultural sector this week at the Chester County History Center. I was proud to present for PA Humanities with Patricia Wilson Aden at Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, along with so many leaders like Andrea Lowery, Sarah Merritt, Rusty Baker, Julie Dietrich, Ed.D., and more. I am grateful to Chief of Staff Michael Hartman for organizing such a spectacular event.