Arts projects get stimulus funds

Some money from the Federal stimulus package will be trickling into Philadelphia arts’ organizations soon. The city’s Office of Arts & Culture, and the Creative Economy is distributing half-million dollars of Recovery Act money to cultural organizations with “shovel-ready” capital projects.

Some money from the Federal stimulus package will be trickling into Philadelphia arts’ organizations soon. The city’s Office of Arts & Culture, and the Creative Economy is distributing half-million dollars of Recovery Act money to cultural organizations with “shovel-ready” capital projects.

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[audio: 091117pcgrants.mp3]

According to the Office of Arts & Culture, Philadelphia will receive $14 million dollars in Community Development Block Grants – or CDBG. A half-million of that is earmarked for arts organizations who have immediate construction projects waiting.

One of the organizations that will be applying for money is the Asian Arts Initiative, to renovate its new space in North Chinatown. Director Gayle Isa says the project should generate about 100 jobs.

Isa: Even though at the federal level arts organizations are eligible for CDBG funds, in the city of Philadelphia that has been the exception rather than rule. This particular pool of funding I hope is a shift that integrates the cultural community with the rest of Philadelphia’s development.

To be eligible, projects must be in low or moderate income neighborhoods and must be completed within 2 years of funding.