City awards arts grants to 91 groups

The largest single bloc of arts grants ever given out by the city was completed this week with the announcement that 91 cultural groups will share about $78.2 million.

The funds will be drawn from the proceeds of a $150 million bond issue authorized last year to support cutural and economic development. The remainder of the bond proceeds will be used to spur revitalization of neighborhood commercial corridors, according to city officials.

The arts and culture grants lend support to organizations and projects throughout the city. At a reception Tuesday night, Mayor Street reiterated a theme he has struck repeatedly in discussing the impact of the city's cultural offerings: they are essential in attracting and retaining residents and businesses.

"There is no more important work done in this city than the collective work done by the people in this room," he told a gathering of about 125 representatives from arts and cultural groups receiving grants. "The city is more than stadiums. The city is more than the convention center. The city is more than Penn's Landing. The city is more than all of these things."

Cultural offerings, he said, are critical to weaving the whole together.

The 91 grants ranged from $30 million for the Philadelphia Museum of Art (as well as several other previously announced multi-million dollar offerings) to $10,000 for the Vox Populi, the artists cooperative.