The Division seeks to foster organizational stability, expansion of the arts and cultural programming in BIPOC communities; and to support the training of capable administrators.

Please note: the submission deadline for the 9/1/2023 – 8/31/2024 program period has passed, and applications are no longer being accepted. Grant program guidelines and due dates for the 2024/2025 program period will be published on this website in December 2023.

Division Programs

The Division offers the following funding opportunities to individuals and organizations with a focus on Pennsylvania's BIPOC populations. These programs are significant in their design, intentionally creating long-term relationships between the Division and participating organizations through the provision of up to ten years of support for capacity building and consultation.

Community-Based Engagement Projects

Community-Based Engagement Project grants are designed to support opportunities that highlight unique aspects of BIPOC communities, address issues that impact those communities, and bring all communities together through arts and culture, and collaboration.

Strategies for Success

Strategies for Success is a participatory, multi-year, multi-level capacity-building program that addresses and supports organizational development with an emphasis on entities serving BIPOC communities.

Support is provided through implementation awards, technical assistance, and professional development workshops and conferences. Participation in the program is based on three levels of organizational readiness - Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced. Funding and continued participation at each level is dependent on meeting eligibility and participation requirements, and an annual assessment.

Please note: Applicants to Strategies for Success are not eligible to apply for the Community-Based Engagement Project grant but may be eligible to apply to the PCA's Creative Sector Flex Fund (CSFF) or Entry to AOAP grant programs. A complete description of grant programs, eligibility, participation requirements, and important dates can be found in the guidelines.

Resources

• 2023-2024 PDC Division Guidelines - Strategies for Success and Community-Based Engagement Projects (PDF) 
  
  
• 2023-2024 PDC Division Community-Based Engagement Projects - Letter of Interest (PDF)
  
  
• See due date calendar for applicable program deadlines.
  
  

• Appeals Process
  
  

Additional Resources

• PCA grant funds cannot be used for any of the following:
• Activities outside the performance period;
• Activities that have a religious purpose;
• Payments to lobbyists;
  
• Cash prizes and awards;
• Benefit activities; or
• Activities for which academic credit is given.

Unless authorized by Council, grant funds cannot be used for the following:

• Hospitality expenses (i.e., receptions, parties, gallery openings);
  
• Capital expenditures, including equipment costing $500-or more;
• Competitions; or
• Performances and exhibitions not available to the general public.

Preserving Diverse Cultures Division Advisory Panel

The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts seeks volunteers to serve as panelists to review applications for grant opportunities offered by the Preserving Diverse Cultures Division.

We strive to convene panels of artists and administrators who have knowledge of and experience in non-profit management and community engagement as artists or administrators; and, who represent the diversity of our applicants. Panelist recommendations guide the Council in the use and distribution of public funds.

The number of panelists selected each year is determined by the volume of applications received.

Additional details about the advisory panel and panel process can be found here (PDF). 

Interested individuals should contact Dana Payne and provide a bio and/or resume along with grant panel preference.

If you are interested in volunteering as a panelist and have questions about accessibility and/or accommodation requests, please contact Dana Payne.