There’s nothing about it on their website but Pennsylvania Council on the Arts has suspended its fellowship program. As in, no direct grants to artists this year. This is due to Pennsylvania budget cutbacks of 24%– voted on by the legislature this fall and signed into law by the Governor in Oct.
This news came to us via several artists in Philadelphia who received the information in the form of a letter from Philip Horn, Executive Director of the Council, telling them thanks for submitting their application for fellowships and sorry you did all that work but no money this year for any artists. Maybe there will be some in the future—they hope so.
Meanwhile, grants to Pennsylvania institutions that support public programs will continue.
If you think we’re mad about this, you’re right. Artists are always the first to get cut from funding programs and the last to get recognized for their hard work and contributions to society. Why didn’t they just cut everybody back a little instead of taking the ax to the fellowship program. Unbelievable.
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Ugh, it was really disappointing and I am trying not to be angry. I was so excited to be receiving mail from them-though I did think to myself, I thought it was a bit early to be hearing back.
But there was not even a hint at the program getting canceled all together. And with the new three year cycle of medias/areas to apply to starting in 2010 the grant process seemed more focused and together than ever. But I suppose there are times you can’t predict the weather.
I only follow PA stuff, but I do wonder what the fates of sister Mid Atlantic Art Foundation programs were……(Deleware, NJ, and Maryland)- any of those states in bad budget crunches?
Ditto for New Jersey. Not only did artist fellowships get cancelled, but arts programs/museums/organizations were promised grants at the June meeting and now those are all on hold after money has been already spent. Details (and ridiculous comments) in this Star Ledger article http://bit.ly/5tBu5c
Horrors! thanks for the link, Joanie!
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