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Philadelphia Cultural Alliance names Tom Kaiden new president

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 12:24:09 -0400

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Artists in residence; the Philadelphia Art Hotel

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:36:56 -0400

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Comin' Out from Cali: Renowned Huntington Library Visits Heirs of Franklin, Rosenbach

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 23:23:55 -0400

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Philly Mayor Faces Tropical Storm — Not Hurricane — Over Arts Cuts

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 10:04:28 -0400

Let’s focus on a city, one that isn’t New York, where arts and culture unquestionably predominate and where sharp revenue shortfalls are creating widespread concern. Today’s nominee: Philadelphia. Possibly due to its proximity to New York City, Philadelphia often doesn’t receive the credit it deserves as one of the hubs in the nation for thriving arts and culture. According to an oft-promoted statistic developed by the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, 40,000 jobs are predicated on arts and cultural economic activity in the region.

5-story paintbrush by Oldenburg to rise at PAFA

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:10:51 -0400

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Philadelphia's festivals & events deliver real value to the region

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:01:26 -0400

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Faces behind 'Standing Ovation'

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:30:13 -0400

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Terruso off the cuff

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:28:16 -0400

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Philadelphia opera company gets $150,000 grant

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:57:38 -0400

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Fox "Good Day Philadelphia" Phillyfunguide, July 2010

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 09:41:33 -0400

Amid cuts, Philly mayor supports arts groups

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:18:07 -0400

Arts and cultural organizations are often dismissed as a frivolity, the first to go when the budget ax swings even as supporters tout them as powerful economic engines that employ workers and support businesses far beyond the cliche wine-and-cheese set. And times are not good for the creative community. In Philadelphia and around the country, the arts are suffering amid drained municipal and state budgets and eroded donations from foundations and individuals alike. Jobs are being lost; museums, education and outreach are being curtailed.

The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage Announces 2010 Philadelphia Cultural Management Initiative Grant Recipients

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:13:55 -0400

The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage announced $780,000 in grants for organizational improvements to ten arts and cultural institutions from the Center’s Philadelphia Cultural Management Initiative (PCMI). This year’s awards include four project grants and six planning grants. A grant from PCMI is intended to help organizations improve their management functions in ways that will propel and support continuous improvement in their programming and services to audiences.

In Philadelphia's latest budget, cuts abound

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:11:31 -0400

It was good news for libraries and bad news for pretty much everything else yesterday as Mayor Nutter announced the latest round of cuts to the city budget...Those plans combine for a total of $47 million in cuts. The cuts include: $1 million from the city's community-college payment, $1.8 million from the Department of Parks and Recreation, $1.1 million from the cultural fund and $1.8 million from the Department of Human Services. Only 10 workers will receive pink slips, from the Office of Supportive Housing.

$47 million in budget cuts spare libraries

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 10:20:04 -0400

Mayor Nutter kept his promise to balance the 2010-11 budget with across-the-board cuts to police, fire, arts, education, and neighborhood cleanup Wednesday, but he relieved library lovers by breaking his vow to reduce branch operations. In announcing $47 million in cuts to what is now a $3.8 billion budget, top administration officials said they were acting to contend with inadequate revenues provided in City Council's approved budget. In addition, business and real estate tax revenues continue to disappoint. "We've tried to do our best to balance a variety of interests here," without compromising key goals of maintaining fiscal stability and public safety, Nutter said.

Libraries’ Funding Cut In State Budget; 2 New Libraries...To Be Constructed

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 09:57:12 -0400

Pennsylvania libraries are being cut 9 percent and one-thousand (and one) government employees will be losing their jobs after Rendell’s just-signed budget, but only the 1,001st, who lost his job all on his own, is getting a nice parting gift. Yep, that government operative is Arlen Specter. And for the sake of irony (we assume) Rendell’s budget includes $10 million toward a newly-constructed library in honor of the Pennsylvania senator on Philadelphia University’s campus (which happens to be both Specter’s and Rendell’s neighborhood.)

American Dance Festival School dean leaves for Philadelphia

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:57:29 -0400

After 10 years as dean of the American Dance Festival School in Durham, Donna Faye Burchfield is leaving to become the director of the University of the Arts School of Dance in Philadelphia. “We are grateful that she will continue what she loves — creating dynamic situations where dancers can thrive,” said Charles Reinhart, director of the festival, in a press release.

A violin maker's inspired journey from China to Philadelphia

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:55:38 -0400

Thirty-eight years and two local violin shops later, Kot reached a career milestone: He won his 10th gold medal at the international violin-making competition held last month in Mittenwald, Germany. His latest award was for a viola bow, and he doesn't intend to rest.

Prince Music Theater gets a reprieve

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 11:37:06 -0400

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Postal rate increase coming? Non-profits look for alternatives

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:45:49 -0400

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Karen Heller: Taxpayers shouldn't foot the bill for West Oak Lane Jazz Festival

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:41:27 -0400

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Rendell signs $28 billion budget

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:06:35 -0400

Rendell travels to Pittsburgh on Wednesday, where he'll sign the economic development legislation. It gives him authority to hand pick roughly $300 million in projects he will award across the state before he leaves office. State lawmakers are expected to act this fall on legislation detailing how they intend to use roughly $300 million under their control.

Uproar follows new Pa. budget

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:04:34 -0400

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Philly: There’s an App for That! Philadelphia Raises Profile as an Interactive City with New Find Your Philly℠ Powered by SCVNGR App.

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 10:07:16 -0400

Philadelphia took a big leap forward with its latest “first.” Today, Mayor Michael A. Nutter helped unveil the Find Your Philly℠ mobile application, powered by SCVNGR, at the Independence Visitor Center. Find Your Philly℠ is the official interactive mobile application for exploring Philadelphia and the expanding Pennsylvania Convention Center. Philadelphia is believed to be the first major U.S. city to use the cutting-edge SCVNGR technology to promote a city and convention center.

The Mann Center for the Performing Arts celebrates its 75th anniversary

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 09:58:54 -0400

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Opinion:Flashing & dancing

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:05:28 -0400

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$1.7 million for regional cultural organizations

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:05:08 -0400

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In the Arts: New Leader for Philadelphia Arts Group

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:04:32 -0400

The current acting executive director of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance was named president of the nonprofit group this week, the organization reports in a statement.

Tom Kaiden, who also served as chief operating officer at the alliance, has been with the organization since 2001. He is leading an effort to double cultural participation in greater Philadelphia by 2020.

Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance names Tom Kaiden president

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:04:07 -0400

Six months after the death of arts leader Peggy Amsterdam, her second-in-command has been named to replace her, the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance said Thursday.
Tom Kaiden, 51, will serve as president of the Cultural Alliance, which has 400 member arts-and-cultural organizations.

Ovation Announces Partnership With Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and City of Philadelphia Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:03:41 -0400

To celebrate its launch on XFINITY TV from Comcast in Greater Philadelphia, Ovation, the only television network dedicated to art and contemporary culture, has partnered with the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and the City of Philadelphia Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, to create a new, innovative program designed to support Philadelphia's cultural institutions.

Cautious optimism: Most nonprofits say giving is stable or rising

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:03:21 -0400

Donations to area nonprofits began improving at the end of last year, but the organizations are still wary.
“I’m still concerned about 2010 even though people are telling me there’s a modestly better psychology out there,” said Jill Michal, president and CEO of the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Cultural groups looking up

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:00:50 -0400

The impact of severe recession on the region's cultural organizations appears to be moderating, according to a survey released Friday by the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance.
Single-ticket sales are growing for 37 percent of the surveyed organizations, and 75 percent reported stable or increased individual giving.

But nearly half (49 percent) of those surveyed reported reduced government support, and more than a third said they had seen a decline in corporate support. Foundation support declined at 30 percent of the organizations and increased at 19 percent.

Tom Kaiden named to head Cultural Alliance

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 13:59:35 -0400

Tom Kaiden, longtime advocate for the region's artistic and cultural offerings and acting director of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, has been named president of the organization.
Kaiden, 51, succeeds Peggy Amsterdam, who died of cancer in December. Amsterdam served as president for nearly a decade, with Kaiden as the chief operating officer for most of that period.

New President for Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 13:58:57 -0400

Tom Kaiden, who served as the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance’s CEO and acting director since the death of Peggy Amsterdam, has been named president of the organization, GPCA announced today. Kaiden joined the Cultural Alliance in 200, heading Engage 2020, the alliance’s four-year, $6 million civic engagement initiative "focused on doubling cultural participation in Greater Philadelphia by 2020."

Philly app designed for exploring arts, culture

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 10:14:45 -0400

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Philadelphia to meet Yannick Nézet-Séguin

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 10:50:24 -0400

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Philadelphia Mayor Mutter Opens the Art Gallery-at City Hall

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 10:17:57 -0400

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Pew Awards $3.8M to Cultural Organizations in the Philadelphia Region

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 10:14:22 -0400

Philadelphia, PA -- The Pew Charitable Trusts today announced $3,846,000 in unrestricted general operating support to eight Philadelphia-area arts and culture organizations. Pew provides the grants under its Philadelphia Cultural Leadership Program (PCLP), which annually rewards organizations in the five-county region that demonstrate excellence in operations, fiscal management and programming.

PECO and Breadboard Announce Call for Digital Artists in PA, NJ, or DE - 6/24 Deadline

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 09:47:06 -0400

PECO and Breadboard announce call for digital artists who might be interested in submitting their work for a PECO Crown Lights feature on July Fourth, as part of the Welcome America festival. Deadline for submission is 6/24.

Arts groups to get grants from Cultural Alliance, Phila. Foundation

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 13:51:29 -0400

The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and the Philadelphia Foundation said Friday that 10 regional arts organizations will receive Engage 2020 Innovation Grants to develop programs to attract new audiences. Funding for the Engage 2020 Innovation Grants comes from the Wallace Foundation, which is based in New York and was established by the founders of Readers Digest, and the Pew Charitable Trusts, which is based in Philadelphia and was established by four of the children of the founder of what is now Sunoco Inc. The grants grew out of research conducted by the Cultural Alliance that led to a report issued last year detailing 10 trends shaping arts participation in the 21st century. They were awarded to organizations whose programs were deemed best able to capitalize on the trends to attract new audiences.

Larger nonprofits holding up, Charity Navigator says

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 13:14:57 -0400

The area’s largest nonprofits are in good shape despite the recession, according to a study released by Charity Navigator last month. “They seem to have their eye on the ball, and they’re preparing for what could be many years of tough times,” said Sandra Miniutti, Charity Navigator’s chief financial officer and vice president in charge of marketing.

First annual Youth Arts Enrichment Grant winners in Philadelphia

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 12:30:35 -0400

With so many news stories about how money is tight, it is refreshing to write about grant awards for art and culture nonprofits in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Cultural Fund just announced nine winners of $357,700 in grants for after school youth programs. This brings the organization's total funding to more than $30 million since its start in 1991 by city government.

Nezet-Seguin signs Philadelphia Orchestra contract

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 12:25:29 -0400

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Philadelphia team repairs, restores murals

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 12:15:14 -0400

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City Paper's Take on Dan Onorato's "Arts and Culture" White Paper

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 11:22:48 -0400

Exciting campaign news: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dan Onorato released a white paper on arts and cultural stuff last week, and his staffers really wanted us (and you) to read it. What do you think, they asked. (Sounds, um, nice.) Want an interview? (Sure.) Want an op-ed? (No, thanks.) Isn't this swell? (Maybe we should read it first.)

Art gets a home at Philadelphia City Hall

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 10:00:14 -0400

Philadelphia City Hall now has a mini art museum to showcase the city's best. The gallery is only 800 square feet, but has a number of different pieces from wood sculptures to paintings and photography. Gary Steuer is the city's Chief Cultural Officer. He says Room 116 combines the office for his department and a showcase for Arts and Culture in the city.

Art Gallery at Phila. City Hall Opens to the Public

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 09:57:53 -0400

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Arts grants target Philadelphia youth

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 10:12:15 -0400

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West Oak Lane Jazz and Arts Festival puts jazz back on center stage

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 10:10:45 -0400

Jazz has featured prominently in the name of the West Oak Lane Jazz and Arts Festival since its inception in 2004. And as anyone who has attended the annual event can attest, there has been plenty of jazz to be found while roaming the four stages along Ogontz Avenue. But over the past few years, a glance at the headliners who occupied the prime spots on the festival's main stage would tell a slightly different story.

Staff Picks: 2010 Summer Reading!

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 17:05:23 -0400

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Promoters lend support to amended Council bill

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 14:30:41 -0400

When promoters caught wind of a City Council measure a few weeks ago that would have required them to get approval for all events 30 days ahead of time, they launched an online protest petition that got more than 10,000 signatures.Yesterday, at Council's Committee of Licenses and Inspections' hearing, only one promoter came forward to testify. And he was for it. Patrick Rodgers, a promoter and founder of Dancing Ferret Entertainment Group, testified in favor of the bill, which he says is now acceptable to most promoters after compromises were reached with the bill's sponsor. "I would say that maybe 90 percent of people are about 90 percent happy with the bill," said Rodgers, who worked with Councilman Bill Greenlee and promoters to revise the bill.