PA Partners in the Arts
Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts
Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA) is a state funding initiative of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA) 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 National Endowment for the Arts, 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 13th 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.
View the mission and goals of the PCA
HOW to Apply?
Beginning in 2018 applicants of the PPA Program Stream and Project Stream will use Pennsylvania’s Department of Community Economic Development (DCED) Electronic Single Application (ESA) system to apply and upload their documents. The new system takes you through the application process for the grant program of your choice.
PROJECT STREAM
Individual artists, community groups and nonprofit organizations may make application to this grant opportunity in support of an arts-related project with a strong focus on community impact.
Each year the Arts Council awards the region’s new PPA Project Stream grant recipients at a public presentation titled, Arts COUNT. Scroll down for some history of the awards presentation.
Arts Count
ArtsCOUNT is a celebration of the essential public and private partnerships that fuel the arts! Designed primarily as an arts advocacy rally, this special event seeks to engage business and foundation leaders, elected officials, and the wide range of arts patrons, arts practitioners, and arts organizations in the region.
This arts rally is held every October during National Arts & Humanities month, and also serves as a reception for our membership and a public award ceremony to acknowledge the Lehigh Valley’s new grantees of PPA Project Stream funding.
ArtsCount 2019
On Tuesday, October 15, 2019, the Lehigh Valley Arts Council will host the 15th annual ArtsCOUNT, a reception for the membership as well as an award ceremony for new PPA Project Stream grantees, at the Sigal Museum in Easton, PA from 5:30-7:30 pm.
Refreshments will be provided. The event is free for members of the Arts Council and PPA grant recipients. Nonmembers are encouraged to attend this arts advocacy event for $10. RSVP’s are appreciated.
ArtsCount 2018
On Tuesday, October 16, 2018, the scene was set for a celebration that would elevate spirits, high atop the eighth floor of the black tower in the Butz Corporate Center. Guests were able to admire a panoramic view of the Lehigh Valley as they gathered together to be recognized.
Amidst a raw, unfurnished space, the event captured the beauty of a blank canvas while also encouraging attendees to mingle with their colleagues and with regional and state leaders. Three fabric panels were used to highlight different aspects of the Arts Council’s history, including: the past thirteen years of PPA Project Stream funding, the current membership and supporters, as well as three unique programs (Arts & Access Always, Young at Art, and The Power of Story).
This year, there were 33 PPA Project Stream grant recipients from the Lehigh Valley. Click here for a list of the 2018-19 grant recipients.
| 11/1/18 – “LV Arts Council disburses grants to fund 33 projects” by Stephen Althouse, Lehigh Valley Press. |
To view more photos from Arts COUNT 2018 click here.
ArtsCount 2017
On Wednesday, October 18, 2017 the gears were in motion for an historic celebration at the National Museum of Industrial History. Attendees had the opportunity to rally for the arts and take in the interactive exhibits around every corner of the new museum.
There were 26 PPA Project Stream grant recipients this year in the Lehigh Valley. Click here for a list of 2017-18 grant recipients.
ArtsCount 2016
On October 19, 2016 we rallied together at Smooth-On, Inc. in Macungie, PA. Guests had the opportunity to tour the impressive manufacturing facility, take part in mold-making, and receive professional quality scrapes, scars, and scabs (makeup).
There were 22 PPA Project Stream grant recipients this year in the Lehigh Valley. Click here for a list of 2016-17 grant recipients.
Click here for more photos from the event.
