Pennsylvania Council on the Arts

Yesterday, in partnership with our good friends at the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, we celebrated the unveiling of a 12-panel mural at the Blue Mountain Service Plaza. Created by Shippensburg Area High School art students, this is the 17th and final original artwork created for #ArtSparks, a PCA and PTC partnership that brings student-created art to service plazas across the PA Turnpike's 565-mile system. . Three cheers to the student artists, our project partners, Shippensburg Area High School administrators and educators, and resident teaching artist, Katie Trainer, who did an amazing job leading the students from concept through creation!

USDA is hosting the following webinar on Wednesday, Jan. 8: Title: Resources to Improve Rural Economies and Enhance Local Arts and Community Centers About: "The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today is inviting rural leaders to join a webinar on Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 10 a.m. ET, to learn about resources to invest in local arts and community centers, which are key to enhancing economic growth and quality of life in rural areas." See the full announcement here: https://lnkd.in/eCQ45r7Q Register here: https://lnkd.in/gJRw2kw6

So excited to see PCA Vice Chair, Emmai Alaquiva, named to Pittsburgh's 2024 People of the Year! As Emmai himself so aptly said it - "art is in the room." <3 https://lnkd.in/gKDpkGii

Excited to see #Pennsylvania in the top 10 on SMU DataArts' Second Annual Ranking of the Most Arts-Vibrant States in the U.S. The overall Arts Vibrancy Index is composed of 13 unique measures which cover aspects of supply, demand, and public support for arts and culture, and are adjusted for cost of living and population differences among communities. Learn more about the ranking: https://lnkd.in/e5y95GjH

Two Grant Opportunity Announcements: FY 2025-2026 applications are now open for the PCA's Arts Organizations and Arts Programs (AOAP) and Entry Track grant programs: -- AOAP application guidelines: https://lnkd.in/e-tSSVGc -- AOAP application deadline: 1/15/25 by 5 p.m. EST -- Entry Track application guidelines: https://lnkd.in/envJSp5A -- Entry Track application deadline: 2/18/25 by 5 p.m. EST Questions? Contact us: https://lnkd.in/eCbs_w75

Filmmakers and Film Industry Folks - check out this upcoming panel: -- Panel description: Who are diverse stories for? Well, everyone, of course, but how do we make it the cultural norm? And who’s allowed to tell these stories? This panel features filmmaker and PCA Vice Chair, Emmai Alaquiva, public television producer Minette Seate, and Ron Finley, the Gangsta Gardener—all of whom are working to level the playing field. Moderated by Mexican film producer Mariana Méndez. Get tix for the panel here: https://lnkd.in/duKhF3w4 This panel is part of the 2024 Filmmaker Conference, presented by Pittsburgh Shorts. Get the full schedule and tickets here: https://lnkd.in/dYWafyH6

Exciting opportunity: The USA Pavilion at 2025 Osaka World Expo is seeking cultural performers and expert speakers. --Deadline to submit: November 30th-- . More details: Meridian International Center and the U.S. Dept. of State’s International Expositions Unit (Expo Unit) are seeking U.S. Cultural Performers and Expert Speakers to perform and/or speak at the USA Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. . This program is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State and is implemented by Meridian International Center. All travel and lodging expenses will be covered by the program. . Cultural Performers and Expert Speakers should: --Embody the best and most authentic representation of American dance, music, theatre, literature, art, food, sport, and other aspects of American culture; --Collectively reflect the full cultural richness and diversity of the U.S.; --Attract the interest and engagement of Expo visitors through varied performances, workshops, lectures, panel discussions, master classes, and media engagements; and --Support U.S. public diplomacy goals to promote U.S. history, culture, and values in Japan and throughout the region. . See the FAQ and more details here: https://lnkd.in/gtVDUnVQ

Couldn’t have said it better ourselves! Excited to be a partner on this important work 💗

Get #ReadytoVotePA! Election Day is Tuesday, November 5 . Find your polling place: vote.pa.gov/Polls Return your mail ballot by 8 p.m. EST: vote.pa.gov/ReturnBallot

Don't forget! Registered voters in PA have until 5 p.m., October 29 to apply for a mail ballot for the Nov. 5 general election. Apply here: pa.gov/MailBallot #ReadyToVotePA