From 2017: Faces of Philly arts groups on Trump’s budget chopping block

This story was originally published on Apr. 28, 2017.

As President Trump’s proposed budget slashes “discretionary” social spending, like funding of the arts, we look at the beneficiaries of some of Philadelphia’s community-focused groups that receive National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) funding.

The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance reports that since 2012, 98 Philadelphia organizations have received a total of $7.7 million from the NEA.But these local arts organizations, with less than $25,000 each in funding from the NEA, provide programs from prison art therapy to learning to play the “doumbek,” an Arabic goblet-shaped drum, and serve constituencies that cut across socioeconomic, cultural and racial lines.

Sara Narva teaches dance and theater with the Philadelphia Dance Projects Dance TAG (Teaching Artists Group), a collegial gathering of teaching artists for movement ideas, information, discussion, and networking.

Executive Director Terry Fox explains that the NEA is not a steady stream of operating support. But, she says, “it is highly competitive and getting a grant really raises an organization’s profile and certainly indicates that a panel of national peers considers what you are doing is worthwhile.” This “seal of approval,” she says, impacts everyone, including audiences who then can see the work or benefit from the support of these projects.

Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture, Arabic for “The Garden,” offers structured exposure to the language, art, music, dance, literature, and natural environment of the Arab world. Students of diverse ethnic backgrounds learn Arabic songs, drumming, music skills, and engage in a variety of visual art projects.

Asian Arts Initiative connects cultural expression and social change, using art as a vehicle to explore the diverse experiences of all communities which include Asian Americans.

Located in Philadelphia’s Chinatown North, Asian Arts Initiative is a multidisciplinary arts center offering exhibitions, performances, artist residencies, youth workshops, and a community gathering space.

The People’s Paper Co-op is an ongoing initiative by the Village of Arts and Humanities that transforms the narrative of re-entryconnecting formerly incarcerated individuals together with artists, civil rights lawyers, andother city-wide partners.

Tiny WPA: inspired by the New Deal Works Progress Administration, which paid for civic improvements and art during the Depression, Tiny WPA’s mission is to grow and support a diverse multigenerational community of civic change agents—Building Heroes—who want to learn how to design-build great things, make a difference in their community(s), and through design lead others in making Philadelphia a better, safer, healthier, more equitable, and prosperous place to live, work and play.

Shirley Road Productions is an independent non-profit video/film production organization that creates educational and cultural programs that are innovative in content, point of view and production.

HACE, the Hispanic Association of Contractors and Enterprises combats community deterioration through economic development initiatives that address commercial revitalization, employment opportunities, the creation of safe affordable housing, and the provision of support services.

These are some of Philadelphia’s community-focused groups that received National Endowment for the Arts funding. The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance reports that since 2012, 98 Philadelphia organizations have received a total of $7.7 million from the NEA. The groups featured each recently (2016 or 2017) received less than $25,000 each.

This story was originally published on Apr. 28, 2017.