CultureWire | July 2025

The National Liberty Museum, a Cultural Alliance Member, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and launched its first ever annual theme, the Year of Free Speech. Each floor of the museum features an exhibition exploring free speech, from learning about its historical and philosophical roots to practicing constructive dialogue with AI. Also new this year: Third Thursdays, which transforms the museum into the Speak Freely Speakeasy. The next Third Thursday will be held on July 17 featuring comedians from the city’s Helium Comedy Club. Photo by Christopher Devern.

Arts & Culture in the News 

• The Barnes Foundation will help run the Pew Center for Arts and Heritage in the wake of the UArts collapse. Read more from The Philadelphia Inquirer.

• SEPTA’s “doomsday” cuts would be devastating to Philly arts and culture. Read more from The Broad Street Review.

• With federal cuts affecting organizations across the country, this guide based on Topos Partnership research helps arts administrators navigate talking about terminated NEA grants. Read more on The Bright Ride.

• For decades, the United States government has quietly run the equivalent of its own major museum. Now, Trump cuts leave few caretakers for a massive federal art collection. Read more from The New York Times.

Thank you for your ongoing support of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance. Because of you – this incredible community, we can continue to do this meaningful work. With your support, we’ll continue to be the voice of arts organizations across the region. Help keep the arts in the spotlight—donate now. Let’s make sure our voices are not just heard, but impossible to ignore.

Updates from the Cultural Alliance

As we continue to navigate national uncertainty, we're pleased to share exciting news about the City of Philadelphia’s FY26 Budget passed by City Council. Your advocacy efforts helped secure the following investments:

• The Philadelphia Cultural Fund was appropriated $5 million to support Arts & Culture grantees. That’s a $1.5 million increase from its proposed funding this year. We would like to extend a special thanks to Councilmember Rue Landau for championing this funding, as so many local organizations are experiencing the serious impact of federal funding cuts. 
• Mural Arts Philadelphia’s core programs will be sustained with a $5.2 million allocation that will help fund programs, such as Restorative Justice, Tacony Lab, and Community Murals, which employ artists and beautify our city.
• Several city-owned assets and institutions will receive capital support to maintain and operate city-owned architectural treasures.

Read the full update. 

State budget discussions are ongoing in Harrisburg, and we expect negotiations to continue into July. While lawmakers continue to negotiate, we have a critical window of opportunity to advocate for Pennsylvania's creative sector. Creative Pennsylvania, formerly Citizens for the Arts Pennsylvania, is requesting a modest but meaningful $1 million increase to the PA Grants to the Arts line item for FY 2025-26, bringing total funding to $10.59 million. Learn more and contact your representatives. 

We're proud to announce the expansion of the Bloomberg Arts Internship program in Philadelphia for 2025, marking a significant milestone in its work to cultivate the next generation of creative leaders. Thanks to continued support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, this year’s program will serve its largest cohort to date – 96 high school interns placed at 45 leading cultural organizations across the region, representing a 23% increase from 2024. Read more about the ways in which the Bloomberg Arts Internship is opening up an industry to vital new talent in Forbes.

The 2025-2026 Creative Sector Flex Fund grant is opening in September. This $5,000 grant, funded by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, provides support to eligible nonprofit organizations that produce consistent artistic programming and services in Pennsylvania and have an annual average arts revenue of $10,000 to $200,000. Learn more.

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Job Bank

The Cultural Alliance’s Job Bank is Greater Philadelphia's top resource for job opportunities in arts and culture. You’ll find positions at all professional levels in museums, theaters, historic sites, art galleries, dance studios, community centers, and much more. Keep reading for the most recent listings from Member organizations.

• Tree Program Assistant at John Bartram Association / Bartram's Garden

• Digital Studio Technician and Chief Development Officer at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

• Assistant Dean of Development, Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University

• Staff Accountant at the Museum of the American Revolution

• Usher for the Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts Philly

• Program Director for the Philadelphia Jewish Film and Media

Want to connect to candidates? The Cultural Alliance’s Job Bank has 60,000+ views each month. Job listings are free for Cultural Alliance Members and start at just $95 for non-Members. Learn more.