Dear Brothers & Sisters,
We hope this email finds you healthy and safe. In these uncertain times we are faced with many challenges in both our personal lives as well as in our community. As you may have already heard, Mayor Jim Kenny released a revised budget for fiscal year 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on May 1, 2020.
The Mayor’s revised budget called for the elimination of funding for both the Philadelphia Cultural Fund and the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy. While we know that the COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented financial challenges for us all, including city government, and we have all needed to make sacrifices during these challenging times. However, eliminating all funding for the Philadelphia Cultural Fund is a sacrifice our city cannot afford.
While the Philadelphia Cultural Fund is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nearly 100% of its funding comes from the City of Philadelphia to support the general operating expenses for more than 340 nonprofit organizations in neighborhoods across the city. Eliminating funding will eliminate the Cultural Fund itself, devastating organizations that rely on this critical support to serve audiences and create equity and access to the arts.
The cultural sector is vital to the fabric of our city. Arts organizations provide critical educational resources for our children, enhance our neighborhoods, create a sense of community, and significantly contribute to our economy. Annually, the sector drives $3.4 billion in economic impact for the city. It also supports 37,590 full-time equivalent jobs, which generate $930 million in household income and $157 million in tax revenue.
In a time when so many of our organizations have had to close, almost eliminating the ability to earn revenue, this general operating support is crucial to survival. Without it, the city risks losing hundreds of arts organizations – as well as the jobs and tax revenue that stem from this work. More importantly, audiences stand to lose the access and diversity of arts available to them at a time when creating shared experiences in new ways will be more important than ever.
LET CITY COUNCIL KNOW ABOUT THE PHILADELPHIA CULTURAL FUND
Please share this petition with your family and friends.
In Solidarity,
The Local 77 Executive Board
Other Industry News Updates
Save the Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy
In the new budget, the Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy was budgeted $0 dollars, down from approximately $4.4 million, effectively closing the office.
Have you lost income because of COVID-19? Are you having trouble paying your rent? The City of Philadelphia might be able to help.
Philadelphia is launching a COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program. It aims to help people who have lost income because of COVID-19 pay their rent. It makes payments directly to your landlord.
Support Performing Arts Industry Workers
Sign this petition to congressional leaders asking them to support performing artists in The Worker Relief and Security Act.
AFM Musicians’ Relief Fund
The Musicians’ Relief Fund helps union musicians who work gig to gig and are confronting extraordinary financial challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Music industry Leaders Press Congress for New Stimulus
A group of leading music and film industry organizations sent a new letter to Congress today (May 8), explaining how the CARES Act economic stimulus bill falls short of the entertainment business’ needs.
Important Reminders
- May 18: Deadline to Register to Vote
- May 26: Last day to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot
- June 2: ELECTION DAY and last day for County Boards of Elections to receive voted mail-in and civilian absentee ballots