For every $1 of public funds invested in the arts, there is an estimated $7 return on investment. The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts provides grants to artists, arts organizations, small businesses, and municipalities to support their work and increase the competitiveness of Pennsylvania’s creative sector. The organization provides pathways of support for creatives through its entrepreneur accelerator program and its arts in education residency program. Additionally, the agency previously offered artist fellowships, which permitted such uses of funds, but this program was eliminated during the Great Recession. Sadly, Pennsylvania currently ranks 33rd out of 50 states in funding their council on arts.
 
Our legislation would establish the Pennsylvania Artist Fellowship Grant program under the PA Council on the Arts to enable the PA Council on the Arts to support artists in the way they deserve. This program would provide direct funding to help our state’s resident artists with their project expenses. This funding would allow artists to continue harnessing their talents and skills in Pennsylvania and to carry out significant projects in the commonwealth.
 
Pennsylvania Artist Fellowship Grants would be highly sought-after, and these $100,000 grants would encourage the world’s most talented budding artists to move to or remain within Pennsylvania. This transformational investment for the state would help build and improve our communities. Please join us in supporting Pennsylvania’s resident artists who empower positive connections between our communities through their creativity, hard work, and leadership.