Two weeks ago, the The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance launched an advocacy campaign called LIGHTS ON to remind city officials — and everyone else — how much the arts and culture sector matters to this city, and how difficult the lockdown will be for the sector. In a compelling op-ed in the Inquirer, GPCA’s Interim President & CEO Priscilla Luce explained that the arts are not just about listening to a nice piece of music or going to a museum; our arts organizations are in schools and neighborhoods, underpinning so many efforts to make this city a better place. Please learn more about this campaign and join the chorus of voices unified in saying: We care about the arts. As the city considers a participatory budgeting framework, this advocacy has the potential to turn support for the arts into new programs that align the sector with other education, health, safety, and infrastructure goals.

Despite this year’s tremendous difficulties for the arts sector, we have also witnessed remarkable resilience in many arts leaders. Kudos to our advisory board member, Will Toms, co-founder of REC Philly, for being named to Forbes’ 30-Under-30. REC has shown tremendous resolve as it continues to provide services to the creative community. Cheers to Leigh Goldenberg, Managing Director of the Wilma Theater and a member of our Digital Drawingboard faculty, on the Wilma’s digital, site-specific production of Heroes of the Fourth Turning, which was filmed with a cast in a quarantine bubble and called the season’s hottest show.

Please help us to identify more individuals who have shown innovation, commitment to community, and leadership in these difficult times. We are accepting nominations for our 36th Annual Awards program until December 31, 2020. We are certain that our Awards program in the spring will be a resounding affirmation that yes, the lights can stay on, but only with leadership, partnership across sectors, and support from a broad swathe of Philadelphia.

Best,

Diana Lind
Executive Director
Arts + Business Council

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