Welcome! Please explore opportunities below.
Creative Philadelphia provides creative and economic opportunities for all Philadelphians to thrive through the arts. We advance public access to arts and culture, collaborate with local creative communities, and celebrate the city’s cultural assets, contributing to a safer, cleaner, and greener city.
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FALL 2024
Exhibition Location: City Hall, 1st and 5th Floors
Deadline for submissions: October 4, 2024
For the next Art In City Hall exhibition, Creative Philadelphia and the Office of Councilmember Rue Landau issue a "Call for Artists" to former University of the Arts students and faculty members impacted by the recent sudden closure of the University of the Arts.
Entitled: “Transcending Uncertainty: Art Endures at Home in Philadelphia”, the exhibit will be selected by local Independent curator and artist, Lauren Rinaldi, who also serves as the Arts and Culture Liaison for Councilmember Rue Landau.
Theme
"Transcending Uncertainty: Art Endures at Home in Philadelphia," joins the chorus of community and cultural voices in support of UArts students, faculty, and staff. This exhibit aims to uplift, highlight and celebrate UArts' diverse artistic expressions while demonstrating Philadelphia's support and solidarity for the UArts community following the school's closure. By providing a platform in the People's Building to display their work and gain exposure and recognition, the art exhibit encourages the artists to continue their artistic journeys in Philadelphia.
Each artist can submit up to three pieces. Two and three-dimensional works are eligible, though not to exceed 40" x 40" due to space limitations.
Juror
Lauren Rinaldi (b. 1983, Brooklyn, NY) is an American artist living and working in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Temple's Tyler School of Art and has exhibited her work in solo shows at Paradigm Gallery + Studio in Philadelphia, and extensively in group shows throughout the United States. In addition to her role in Councilmember Rue Landau's office as the Arts and Culture Liaison, she is a community activist and has served as a Democratic Ward Leader and Committee Person since 2018.
About Councilmember Rue Landau I At-Large
Rue Landau is a civil rights and housing attorney, a public school parent and the first openly LGBTQ+ member of Philadelphia City Council. She has spent her entire career fighting for social justice and equity for Philadelphia’s most vulnerable communities. She has been an At-Large Councilmember since 2023.
For more information about Councilmember Landau, please visit: PhlCouncil.com/RueLandau.
What is Art in City Hall
The City of Philadelphia’s Office of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy (OACCE) invites Philadelphia’s cultural community to present proposals to exhibit art in display cases on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors of historic City Hall.
Art in City Hall is an exhibits program that transforms the public corridors of City Hall into a platform for the arts. It provides an opportunity for Philadelphia’s diverse cultural organizations to present their artistic expressions and utilize the visual arts to amplify community voices, foster healing and community dialogue in the most important civic building in the city – The People’s Building. The program is committed to presenting a wide range of ideas and artistic explorations to showcase the important role the arts play in our communities.
Eligibility
Local nonprofits and cultural organizations are invited to submit proposals. Collaborations between organizations and other partners, such as with local schools are welcomed, but one organization needs to lead the application process. Artists do not have to live in Philadelphia but including artists from the region is strongly encouraged. Artists can be self-taught or professionally trained.
We do not present solo exhibitions and encourage the organizations to select enough artists to utilize all the display cases in City Hall.
Exhibition Locations
12 exhibit display cases are located on the Second, Third, and Fourth Floors of City Hall near the offices of the Mayor, City Council, and City Council Chambers.
Exhibition Dates
There are four exhibit opportunities year round.
- May – July
- August – October
- November – January
- February - April
Exhibition Installation and Programming
Participating organizations are expected to deliver and install the exhibition and supply all exhibition hardware and printed materials. They are also expected to plan ONE educational program that complements the exhibition. OACCE may assist the partner organizations in the development and coordination of the exhibit programming, but the organization is responsible for all expenses for the events.
City Hall Hours
City Hall is open to the public Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and closed on weekends and holidays. Visitors must sign in at the Northeast corner Visitor’s Entrance, have personal belongings checked, and follow COVID protocols.
The Illuminate the Arts Grants (ITAG) are 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. A total of $1.5M will be distributed to Philadelphia’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.
ITAG was created by Philadelphia City Council in 2021 to assist in the financial recovery of the creative sector after the devasting impact of the COVID pandemic. Today, ITAG continues to infuse Philadelphia’s cultural community with funding to increase access and to the arts to strengthen and improve the quality of life of Philadelphians. ITAG will be administered by the Creative Philadelphia (formerly the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy) in collaboration with the Illuminate the Arts Grant Advisory Committee to provide funds to the arts community quickly and efficiently.
Mid-Size Nonprofit Arts Organizations
Mid-size arts organizations (2023 operating budgets between $100,000 - $500,000) can apply for grants ranging from $5,000-$7,000.
This will be a competitive grant with more eligible applicants than the $1.5M Illuminate the Arts Grant will be able to support. Applicants can submit only one request to the 2024 Illuminate the Arts Grant.
Applicant Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Reside and operate in Philadelphia County
- Be a nonprofit arts organization or a fiscally sponsored arts organization. Fiscal sponsor must also reside and operate in Philadelphia County.
- Have a mission that is focused on the creative sector
- Be in compliance with all local, state, and federal taxes, or be on an approved payment plan or can prove they are in the process of getting on a payment plan. The Philadelphia Department of Revenue offers flexible payment plans.
- Provide FEIN or fiscal sponsor information
- Provide total operating budget for calendar year 2023 and annual revenue for calendar year 2022 and 2023.
- Provide number of and demographic information on full-time and part-time employees for calendar years 2022 and 2023.
Review and Distribution
- Funding will be distributed to grantees via ACH direct bank deposits.
Prohibited Use of Grant Funds
- Funds may not be used for the purchase of new real estate property.
- Funds may not be provided to governmental entities on local, state, or federal levels.
- Funds may not be used by organizations that received support from the City’s FY24 General Operating Budget. (Does not include support from the Philadelphia Cultural Fund)
If you have any questions about applying for the 2024 Illuminate the Arts Grant, please email creativephl@gmail.com or call 215-906-5873. If you are having issues with the Submittable website, complete this help form immediately. View Frequently Asked Questions here.
The Illuminate the Arts Grants (ITAG) are 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. A total of $1.5M will be distributed to Philadelphia’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.
ITAG was created by Philadelphia City Council in 2021 to assist in the financial recovery of the creative sector after the devasting impact of the COVID pandemic. Today, ITAG continues to infuse Philadelphia’s cultural community with funding to increase access and to the arts to strengthen and improve the quality of life of Philadelphians. ITAG will be administered by the Creative Philadelphia (formerly the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy) in collaboration with the Illuminate the Arts Grant Advisory Committee to provide funds to the arts community quickly and efficiently.
Individual Artists
Individual artists with a total annual income of $55,800 or less can apply for a grant of $1,500-$2,000. Individual artists who claim dependents are also eligible based on the following table:
This will be a competitive grant with more eligible applicants than the $1.5M Illuminate the Arts Grant will be able to support. Applicants can submit only one request to the 2024 Illuminate the Arts Grant.
Applicant Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be 18 years or older
- Reside and operate in Philadelphia county
- Provide evidence of their creative practice prior to January 1, 2024 (documents, photos, links to websites)
- Provide completed and signed W-9. A blank W-9 for completion can be obtained online.
- Be in compliance with all local, state, and federal taxes, or be on an approved payment plan, or can prove they are in the process of getting on a payment plan. The Philadelphia Department of Revenue is offering flexible payment plans.
- Provide proof of total earned income and estimated earned income from their creative practice for calendar years 2022 and 2023
- Provide proof of dependents with 1040 Income Tax Form if applicable
- Provide year of birth, basic contact information, and demographic information.
Review and Distribution
- Funding will be distributed to grantees via ACH direct bank deposits.
Prohibited Use of Grant Funds
- Funds may not be used for the purchase of new real estate property.
- Funds may not be provided to governmental entities on local, state, or federal levels.
- Funds may not be used by organizations that received support from the City’s FY24 General Operating Budget. (Does not include support from the Philadelphia Cultural Fund)
If you have any questions about applying for the 2024 Illuminate the Arts Grant, please email creativephl@gmail.com or call 215-906-5873. If you are having issues with the Submittable website, complete this help form immediately. View Frequently Asked Questions here.
The Illuminate the Arts Grants (ITAG) are 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. A total of $1.5M will be distributed to Philadelphia’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.
ITAG was created by Philadelphia City Council in 2021 to assist in the financial recovery of the creative sector after the devasting impact of the COVID pandemic. Today, ITAG continues to infuse Philadelphia’s cultural community with funding to increase access and to the arts to strengthen and improve the quality of life of Philadelphians. ITAG will be administered by Creative Philadelphia (formerly the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy) in collaboration with the Illuminate the Arts Grant Advisory Committee to provide funds to the arts community quickly and efficiently.
Small Nonprofit Arts Organizations
Small arts organizations (2023 operating budgets less than $100,000) can apply for grants ranging from $3,000 - $5,000.
This will be a competitive grant with more eligible applicants than the $1.5M Illuminate the Arts Grant will be able to support. Applicants can submit only one request to the 2024 Illuminate the Arts Grant.
Applicant Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Reside and operate in Philadelphia County
- Be a nonprofit arts organization or a fiscally sponsored arts organization. Fiscal sponsor must also reside and operate in Philadelphia County.
- Have a mission that is focused on the creative sector
- Be in compliance with all local, state, and federal taxes, or be on an approved payment plan, or can prove they are in the process of getting on a payment plan. The Philadelphia Department of Revenue is offering flexible payment plans.
- Provide FEIN or fiscal sponsor information
- Provide total operating budget for calendar year 2023 and annual revenue for calendar year 2022 and 2023.
- Provide number of and demographic information on full-time and part-time employees for calendar years 2022 and 2023.
Review and Distribution
- Funding will be distributed to grantees via ACH direct bank deposits.
Prohibited Use of Grant Funds
- Funds may not be used for the purchase of new real estate property.
- Funds may not be provided to governmental entities on local, state, or federal levels.
- Funds may not be used by organizations that received support from the City’s FY24 General Operating Budget. (Does not include support from the Philadelphia Cultural Fund)
If you have any questions about applying for the 2024 Illuminate the Arts Grant, please email creativephl@gmail.com or call 215-906-5873. If you are having issues with the Submittable website, complete this help form immediately. View Frequently Asked Questions here.
The Illuminate the Arts Grants (ITAG) are 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. A total of $1.5M will be distributed to Philadelphia’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.
ITAG was created by Philadelphia City Council in 2021 to assist in the financial recovery of the creative sector after the devasting impact of the COVID pandemic. Today, ITAG continues to infuse Philadelphia’s cultural community with funding to increase access and to the arts to strengthen and improve the quality of life of Philadelphians. ITAG will be administered by Creative Philadelphia (formerly the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy) in collaboration with the Illuminate the Arts Grant Advisory Committee to provide funds to the arts community quickly and efficiently.
Small Creative Enterprises
Small Creative Enterprises (2023 operating budgets less than $500,000) can apply for grants ranging from $5,000-$7,000
This will be a competitive grant with more eligible applicants than the $1.5M Illuminate the Arts Grant will be able to support. Applicants can submit only one request to the 2024 Illuminate the Arts Grant.
Applicant Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Reside and operate in Philadelphia County
- Have a mission that is focused on the creative sector
- Be in compliance with all local, state, and federal taxes, or be on an approved payment plan, or can prove they are in the process of getting on a payment plan. The Philadelphia Department of Revenue is offering flexible payment plans.
- Provide your enterprise's Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or your Social Security Number (SSN).
- Provide your enterprise's Business and Income Receipts Tax (BIRT) Number from the City of Philadelphia.
- Provide total operating budget for calendar year 2023 and annual revenue for calendar year 2022 and 2023.
- Provide number of and demographic information on full-time and part-time employees for calendar years 2022 and 2023.
Review and Distribution
- Funding will be distributed to grantees via ACH direct bank deposits.
Prohibited Use of Grant Funds
- Funds may not be used for the purchase of new real estate property.
- Funds may not be provided to governmental entities on local, state, or federal levels.
- Funds may not be used by organizations that received support from the City’s FY24 General Operating Budget. (Does not include support from the Philadelphia Cultural Fund)
If you have any questions about applying for the 2024 Illuminate the Arts Grant, please email creativephl@gmail.com or call 215-906-5873. If you are having issues with the Submittable website, complete this help form immediately. View Frequently Asked Questions here.