PPA Funding

For more information, contact our , Zach Kleemeyer.

Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts

A partnership of PENNSYLVANIA COUNCIL ON THE ARTS & LEHIGH VALLEY ARTS COUNCIL

Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA) is a state funding initiative of the designed to widen the circle of funding opportunities in support of arts activities throughout 67 counties. PPA is financed through the PCA, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the , a federal agency. The PPA offers two streams of funding opportunities: Project Stream and Program Stream. Both expand community access and encourage local decision-making.

The Lehigh Valley Arts Council is entering its 11th year as the PCA’s regional partner of the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts by re-granting state funds to applicants in Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties. The grant application and award process is administered by the Arts Council staff, who convene advisory panels from the cultural community to review the proposals. Panelists, selected to review applications according to guidelines provided by the PCA, provide the essential expertise, integrity, and commitment to the arts in our community.

eGrant Application System

Applicants of the PPA Program Stream and Project Stream use the PCA’s eGrant application system to upload their documents.

The system takes you through the application process for the grant program of your choice and allows you to submit it directly to the PCA. You submit your grant application, your grant award agreement and final report through eGrant.

PROJECT STREAM

The Project Stream is open to individual artists and community groups who apply for support of an arts-related project with strong public impact. Currently 22 PPA Projects in our project cycle are reaching a wide range of constituents, from young children to senior citizens, and engaging audiences through exhibitions, concerts, films, workshops, and performances.

Our PPA Project Stream Grants have been awarded. Thank you for this year’s applicants, and congratulations to the winners!

Learn more about Project Stream

Program STREAM

The Program Stream offers ongoing organizational support to nonprofit arts programs with an established history of PCA project support. Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts, as a partnership initiative of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, permits applicants only by invitation. Click to find out more, and to view the 16 deserving organizations awarded these funds in our region for .

Learn more about Program Stream

Arts Count Celebration

Awards Ceremony & Advocacy Rally

Arts Count celebrates the essential public and private partnerships that fuel the arts, engages business and foundation leaders as well as elected officials to be advocates for arts and culture, and acknowledges the year’s grant recipients.

Free to members of the Arts Council and grant recipients, the Lehigh Valley Arts Council event honors the Project Stream and Program Stream recipients awarded state arts grants through the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts.

On October 19, 2016, we rallied together to celebrate the creative realm of the arts in our community and honor the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts grant recipients. The event was held at in Macungie, PA, and guests toured the impressive facility, took part in mold-making, and received professional quality scrapes, scars, and scabs makeup.

We had a great crowd at Smooth-On's facility!
We had a great crowd at Smooth-On's facility!
The guests took part in "Halloween Makeovers" and received makeup scrapes and scars.
The guests took part in "Halloween Makeovers" and received makeup scrapes and scars.
Checks were awarded to the 2016-17 Grant Award Recipients.
Checks were awarded to the 2016-17 Grant Award Recipients.

Congratulations to our 2016-17 Grant Award Recipients:

  • ALLENTOWN PUBLIC THEATRE
  • ANTHONY SMITH
  • ARTS ACADEMY CHARTER MIDDLE SCHOOL
  • BETHLEHEM FINE ARTS COMMISSION
  • BUCHANAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
  • CONCORD CHAMBER SINGERS
  • DANCELINK
  • EMMAUS RECREATION & ENTERTAINMENT COMMISSION
  • FAIRFIELD DUO / NORA SUGGS
  • FRIENDS OF THE ALLENTOWN PARKS
  • JENNIE GILRAIN
  • JIM THORPE FILM FESTIVAL
  • LEHIGH VALLEY DANCE EXCHANGE
  • MARILYN HAZLETON
  • MORAVIAN COLLEGE MUSIC INSTITUTE
  • PENNSYLVANIA JAZZ COLLECTIVE
  • PUERTORRICAN CULTURAL PRESERVATION
  • SARAH STEELE / SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK
  • SUMMIT HILL HERITAGE CENTER
  • UKRAINIAN AMERICAN HERITAGE FOUNDATION
  • WDIY 88.1 FM
  • WEST PARK CIVIC ASSOCIATION

Advocate for the Arts

Anyone can ADVOCATE for the Arts and have impact.  provides tools, research, and training that help arts professionals and regular citizens to cultivate, promote, sustain, and support the arts in America.  Find out how you can get involved and start advocating for the arts today! Visit .

began as a grassroots organization and continues to communicate the value and impact of the arts to decision makers in media, government, corporate, and philanthropic sectors. takes a stand on legislation and public policy that affect the arts, including working with members of the Pennsylvania Legislative Arts and Culture Caucus. We encourage you to join that effort.

Call to Action: Please ask your board, staff and other supporters to advocate for the arts in Pennsylvania. Call, write or meet with your State Senator and Representative and explain the importance of the Commonwealth’s investment in your organization. Be prepared to talk about how your work benefits the people in your community culturally and economically.