City Grants for Performing Artists and Art Organizations

Mayor Nutter Opens Applications For Performances In Public Spaces

Posted on October 28, 2014 by City of Philadelphia

Philadelphia, October 28, 2014 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter and the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (OACCE) announced that the City is accepting applications for Performances in Public Spaces – an initiative that provides grant money for artists and art organizations to cover all costs associated with presenting performances in select parks and plazas across the city in 2015. This initiative is made possible by the Mayor’s Fund for Philadelphia and a $30,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for a total of $60,000. The number of projects selected and award levels will be based on the number of applications and range of amounts requested.

“In the past, OACCE has animated City Hall with performances. Now, we will go beyond City Hall and bring performances to the people. It is important that art be accessible to everyone,” said Nutter. “We hope that these performances will enrich the lives of citizens and promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of the arts. I am pleased to support Performances in Public Spaces because I believe the project will strengthen Philadelphia’s reputation as a leader for public art and it will also highlight the potential of the city’s many neighborhood public spaces.

Depending on the applications submitted, OACCE anticipates that 10-15 grants of $500-$3000 per performance will be awarded. The grants can be used to cover artist fees, marketing, materials, production and other administrative costs incurred by the artist or group related to a specific performance or a performance series.

All performances must take place between April 1^st and November 1^st, 2015 at any of the 16 partner sites listed on the application. Applicants must include a letter of support from the selected partner site as proof of communication between the performers and the venue. Performances with a strong connection to the site and a measurable impact on enhancing the civic space are preferred.

Applications and all required attachments must be submitted online or delivered to the OACCE office, located in City Hall, Room 116, by 5:00 pm on December 1, 2014. Submissions will be reviewed by a committee of three City employees and three performing artists and/or arts administrators.

Helen Haynes, Chief Cultural Officer, said “Our office seeks to promote the thriving art scene in Philadelphia, expose more people to interesting programming and use of Philadelphia’s vibrant public spaces. We are excited for this opportunity to support place-based activities in neighborhoods and hope to jumpstart continued use of these spaces beyond this program.”

The OACCE has partnered with the following locations as participating sites: Campbell Square, Clark Park, Fairhill Square, FDR Park, Frankford Pause, Gorgas Park, Hawthorne Park, Hunting Park, Malcolm X Park, Marconi Plaza, Paine’s Skatepark, Race St. Pier, Saunders Park, Spruce Street Harbor Park, The Porch at 30^th Street Station, Vernon Park.

For more information about OACCE visit: http://creativephl.org/.