City gets stimulus grant for "creative sector"

A half-million dollars in stimulus money will go toward creating jobs in Philadelphia's creative economy, the city announced Tuesday.

Chief Cultural Officer Gary Steuer said, in a press release, that the city expects to award 10 grants of between $20,000 and $100,000, mostly to organizations or companies that create jobs in low- to moderate income neighborhoods.

Applications are due by Dec. 18. See the press release below:

Tuesday, November 17, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RECOVERY ACT CREATIVE INDUSTRY WORKFORCE GRANTS ANNOUNCED

PHILADELPHIA, November 17, 2009 — The City of Philadelphia’s Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, in partnership with the Department of Commerce announces a new grant program to support job creation in Philadelphia’s creative sector. Grants will be available to nonprofit and for profit creative businesses for facility projects linked to job creation such as renovated office space, mixed-use facilities, artist workspace and creative industry incubators. The total funding allocated for the program is $500,000, funded from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

“We are thrilled about this program - the first of its kind in Philadelphia – a true collaboration between city departments that exemplifies just how important the creative sector is to the economy and the future of Philadelphia,” said Gary Steuer, Chief Cultural Officer.

This grant program is a part of the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy’s larger strategy to nurture and develop this sector by providing specific programs and resources to the creative economy. Serving a fast developing business sector and significant economic engine, this grant program also intersects with the Commerce Department’s business services, neighborhood development, business attraction and job creation efforts.

The City expects to make approximately ten grants in the range of $20,000 -$100,000. The grants will support the development of facility projects linked to job creation; including permanent jobs, as well as temporary construction, installation, architectural and engineering jobs.

Applicants must demonstrate that their project can start within three months from the award date. The project must also meet federal CDBG eligibility; i.e. located in a low/mod income neighborhood, serving a low/mod income customer or creating low/mod income jobs. Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to nonprofit arts and cultural organizations, community development corporations, for-profit creative businesses, microenterprises, and other businesses with projects that meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the RFP.

Interested parties should attend the public meeting scheduled for November 23, 2009 from 3pm to 5pm in the Mayor’s Reception Room, City Hall Room 202.

To apply and view the RFP please visit https://ework.phila.gov/econtractphilly/. Applications are due December 18, 2009.

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Posted by Jeff Shields @ 11:04 AM Permalink | 13 comments

Comments

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 12:12 PM, 11/17/2009

this stimulates the economy in no way possible. this is job creation under Obama - artist studios.

— reddog44

Comment removed.

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 12:23 PM, 11/17/2009

Mural Arts is the only well run cultural arts program that often serves the needy. Seems logical but we will see who gets there hands on the money....

— Earl J

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 12:27 PM, 11/17/2009

Andy, that could just well be Latrice Bryant with Wilson Goode behind her as she makes 90k. For good measure the could be holding a can of Bud.

— Earl J

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 12:31 PM, 11/17/2009

These grants come at a time when arts organizations have had to make do with less resources, so it will surely provide a needed boost to an underrated sector of the economy.

— Wolfish