Philadelphia Can't Wait

UPDATE: On Thursday September 17, the PA State Senate passed HB 1828, which will allow the city to close its deficit and avoid the draconian cuts of Plan C.

Without authorization from the state to close the city's deficit, the "Plan C" budget will go into effect, forcing all functions of the Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy to shut down at 5pm on October 2, 2009. All funding will be eliminated for the Philadelphia Cultural Fund; museums that receive funding from the city including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Atwater Kent Museum, and the African American Museum; funding for the Mural Arts Program; funding for the Avenue of the Arts; and funding for the Art in City Hall program and the Public Art Office. All branches of the Free Library and recreation centers will also be completely shuttered.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am writing to urge that you find a speedy compromise on legislation in the House and Senate that would allow Philadelphia to close the deficit and move forward with a safe, responsible budget that preserves cultural funding and essential services for city residents.

If the General Assembly does not approve the temporary sales tax increase and pension changes, the city will be forced to implement a draconian budget that among other severe cuts to city services would completely eliminate the city Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy - which includes all funding for the Philadelphia Cultural Fund; city museums including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Atwater Kent Museum, and the African American Museum of Philadelphia; and the Mural Arts Program. This is accompanied by city library and park closures, as well cuts to Commerce which will eliminate the Art Commission and Historical Commission. With funding for the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission also threatened at the state level, we're facing a strangling of our city's cultural fabric.

In Southeastern Pennsylvania, arts and culture is a $1.3 billion industry, generating close to $160 million in state taxes. There are 15 million visits to cultural organizations each year. Forty-three percent of admissions are free of charge, and 35,000 school groups visit Greater Philadelphia's cultural organizations each year. After school programs and free performances for all grade levels teach important skills, enhance the classroom experience and help children understand their heritage. Arts and culture also equal jobs for the region - to the tune of 40,000 people. In other words, eliminating cultural funding will prove far more costly in the future.

Please consider the social and economic impact that the arts and culture have on Philadelphia. This is a city built upon creativity and innovation - and we cannot afford to lose that.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
September 10, 2009