City launches $1.5 million arts grant
Creative Philadelphia and the Illuminate the Arts Grant Committee launched the $1.5 million 2024 Illuminate the Arts Grant. The online application will remain open through Sept. 13.
The grant is a means to help strengthen and financially uplift Philadelphia’s creative sector, particularly in Philadelphia’s black and brown communities, and those that do not have access to most traditional sources of arts funding.
Grant money will be distributed to the city’s individual artists, small and mid-size arts organizations, and small creative enterprises to support and acknowledge their creative practice and impact on Philadelphia’s “disadvantaged” and most “underserved” and poorest communities.
“Although the Illuminate the Arts Grant originated as COVID-19 relief, it continues to address an important need as a funding opportunity serving individual artists and enterprises, as well as nonprofits,” said Chief Cultural Officer Val Gay. “We want to dispel the narrative of the ‘starving artist.’ Accessible funding opportunities like this one help strengthen our creative sector and enrich the quality of life for so many creatives in Philadelphia.”
Individual artists with a 2023 total annual income of $55,800 or less can apply for a grant of $1,500-$2,000. Individual artists who claim dependents are eligible for higher maximum income limits and should visit the application to determine eligibility. Small nonprofit arts organizations with 2023 operating budgets of $100,000 or less can apply for grants ranging from $3,000-$5,000.
Mid-size nonprofit arts organizations with 2023 operating budgets between $100,000-$500,000 can apply for grants ranging from $5,000-$7,000. Small creative enterprises with 2023 operating budgets less than $500,000 can apply for grants ranging from $5,000-$7,000. Email creativephl@gmail.com or call 215-906-5873.
SEPTA parking fees returning this fall
After four years of offering free parking to help attract customers back to the system, SEPTA will reinstate parking fees with a phased approach beginning Sept. 23.
In June, the SEPTA board awarded a $12.3 million contract to Flowbird America Inc. to develop a new, state-of-the-art parking system that will streamline fee collection and improve customer convenience.
Daily parking rates at SEPTA-owned surface lots will increase to $2 from $1 and to $4 from $2 at the three garages: Frankford Transportation Center, Norristown and Lansdale. Parking at surface lots will remain free on weekends and major holidays.
“These fees will help offset parking lot maintenance costs as we continue to do our part to generate revenue in the midst of a funding crisis,” said SEPTA CEO and General Manager Leslie Richards. “We understand how increasing fees could impact riders, but we hope they will still see public transit as an overall value – saving time and money compared to driving a vehicle.”
The new system will provide several convenient options to pay for parking including the SEPTA Park app, kiosks and text message. Detailed instructions will be posted at stations, and SEPTA ambassadors will be onsite to answer questions. Parking enforcement officers will read license plates using vehicle-mounted cameras. Violations or warnings will be issued for illegally parked vehicles. The full implementation schedule can be found at https://wwww.septa.org/bulletins/parking-fee-reinstatement/.
A space for UArts student work
Councilwoman Rue Landau, in collaboration with Creative Philadelphia, is launching an initiative to support students and faculty affected by the recent closure of the University of the Arts.
The project aims to transform City Hall into a welcoming hub for these displaced artists’ work, providing them with a space to showcase their work in City Hall and in the office of Landau (Room 592) and the corridors.
Students and faculty of UArts are invited to submit their artwork for consideration through an online submission form, with a deadline of Oct. 4.
“The closure of UArts is a significant loss for our city, but it also presents an opportunity for us to uplift and support these talented artists,” Landau said. “I’m honored to provide a space for their work alongside the Creative Philadelphia so that they know the city values their contributions to our arts scene.”
The submission form for UArts students and faculty to have their work featured can be found
here. ••
Polish American festival
The 58th annual Polish American Festival at Our Lady of Czestochowa, 654 Ferry Road in Doylestown, will take place from Aug. 31 through Sept. 2 and Sept. 7-8, noon to 8 p.m. The festival features carnival rides, live music and stage shows and ongoing entertainment on the main stage and in the Polish Village, highlighting Polish traditions and customs, Polish folk dance groups and Polish and American food and refreshments. The $15 admission includes all events and carnival rides. Visit PolishAmericanFestival.org. ••
Buddy Holly tribute concert
Zachary Stevenson brings his Buddy Holly Tribute to the Philadelphia region for the first time on Sept. 14, at 2 p.m., at Sellersville Theater 1894.
Tickets are available at https://www.st94.com/events/oh-boys-buddy-holly-tribute/
The Buddy Holly Tribute one-act show will feature hits such as That’ll Be the Day, Peggy Sue, Oh Boy and Rave On.
Stevenson will be backed by Philadelphia psychedelic-rock trio Echo Kid as the Crickets. Echo Kid features Brendan McHale on bass, Christian Turzo on guitar and Kieran McCabe on drums. ••
Hero Thrill Show is Sept. 21
The 69th annual Hero Thrill Show will take place on Saturday, Sept. 21, from noon to 5 p.m., at the Wells Fargo Center parking lot.
Featured will be the Sound of Philadelphia music by DJ legend Bob Pantano, performances and displays of K-9 and bicycle units, the elite Philadelphia Police Motorcycle Highway Patrol Drill Team, mounted police horse, fire engines, crime-fighting equipment by the Police Aviation Unit, Bomb Squad, Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Marine Unit, firearms instructors, Police Academy and SWAT Unit.
Tickets are $15 for individuals and $35 for a family (up to five).
Proceeds pay for the college tuition of children of Philadelphia police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.
For more information, go to herothrillshow.org. ••
Entertainment at Parx
Parx Casino is offering the following upcoming entertainment:
Aug. 23: The Marshall Tucker Band
Sept. 7: Australian Pink Floyd
Sept. 21: Dustin Lynch
Oct. 4: Heather McDonald
Oct. 18: Straight No Chaser
Oct. 19: Giggly Squad Live
Oct. 25: Michael Blaustein
Nov. 9: Air Supply
Nov. 21: Aaron Lewis
Nov. 23: Steve Trevino
Dec. 7: Kathleen Madigan ••
VFW looking for members
Bustleton-Somerton/CTR1 Michael J. Strange VFW Post 6617 meets on the third Wednesday of every month at American Legion Post 810, 9151 Old Newtown Road.
Meetings start at 7:30 p.m.
If you are a military veteran who served in a designated combat zone, you are eligible to join the VFW.
Call Commander Israel Wolmark at 215-725-0630 if you would like to join the post. ••
Party for West Catholic girls class of ‘69
West Catholic Girls Class of 1969 will have its 55th anniversary party on Sunday, Sept. 29, at Anthony’s Ristorante, 865 W. Springfield Road, Springfield. The cost for the luncheon is $65. Call Hannah at 610-764-3249. ••
Ukrainian Folk Festival on Sunday
The Ukrainian Folk Festival will take place on Sunday, Aug. 25, from noon to 8 p.m., at the Ukrainian American Sport Center — Tryzub, County Line and Lower State roads, Horsham.
There will be Ukrainian folk art, music, dance, crafts and historical reenactments, a variety of food and refreshments and a vendors grove. Admission is $15, and a portion will be donated to relief of war victims in Ukraine. Kids under 15 will be admitted free. Parking is free. Call 267-664-3857, email info@tryzub.org or visit www.tryzub.org. ••
Artists urged to take survey
Councilwoman Rue Landau announced the launch of a comprehensive citywide survey aimed at gathering insights from Philadelphia’s artist community. This survey seeks to understand the challenges and opportunities faced by artists in the city, with the goal of informing policy changes that will better support and nurture the creative sector.
“Philadelphia is home to a thriving community of artists who contribute immensely to the cultural, social and economic vitality of our city,” Landau said. “This survey is my office’s first big step toward understanding the needs of our artists and we hope our findings lead to insights and even policies that will help them thrive. We recognize the critical role that artists play in making Philadelphia a vibrant, dynamic place to live.”
The survey will cover a range of topics, including affordable housing and studio space, funding and grant opportunities, health care and insurance needs, professional development and networking opportunities, and the impact of city regulations and policies on artistic practice.
Artists of all disciplines, including visual arts, music, dance, theater, literature and digital arts, are encouraged to participate. The insights gathered will be used to shape future initiatives and policies that aim to provide more robust support for the arts community.
The survey will be open for responses through Sept. 6. Artists can access the survey online here. ••
