December Information Sessions for West Philadelphia Creative Grants and Paul Robeson House & Museum Artist Residency
November 26, 2024
PHILADELPHIA, PA — During the month of December 2024, the Paul Robeson House & Museum, the West Philadelphia Arts Council, and The Sachs Program for Arts Innovation will host three information sessions to review the upcoming second round of West Philadelphia Creative Grants, as well as the inaugural artist residency opportunity at the Paul Robeson House & Museum.
- Wednesday, December 4, 4–6 PM
Urban Art Gallery, 262 S 52nd St - Thursday, December 12, 12–1:30 PM
The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St - Wednesday, December 18, 8–9 PM
Online (Zoom)
These information sessions will review the application processes for each opportunity and general strategies for developing competitive applications. Organizers will also be available to discuss application ideas and answer attendee questions. Food will be served at both in-person information sessions.
All information sessions are free and open to all members of the West Philadelphia creative community.
The Paul Robeson House & Museum will begin accepting applications for both opportunities on December 16, 2024, and continuing through January 17, 2025.
Additional information about each opportunity will be shared on December 16, when the period for submitting applications begins.
West Philadelphia Creative Grants
West Philadelphia Creative Grants support art and creative practices within West Philadelphia. Individual artists and community and civic groups can apply for grants of up to $2,500 to support artistic projects or cultural activities that benefit the West Philadelphia community and for direct operating support for individual artists and organizations working in the West Philadelphia creative community.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for West Philadelphia Creative Grants.
- Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
- Applicants must reside, work in, or have significant ties to the West Philadelphia community.
- Applicants must create work that fits within or responds to the histories or traditions of Black artists.
Recent Grantees
In September 2024, The Sachs Program for Arts Innovation and the Paul Robeson House & Museum announced the first round of West Philadelphia Creative Grant awards, providing $40,000 to support sixteen West Philadelphia artists and creative organizations.
For a complete list of the sixteen inaugural awardees and their projects, please visit the Paul Robeson House & Museum website.
Paul Robeson House & Museum Artist Residency
The Paul Robeson House & Museum will soon accept applications for its inaugural artist residency opportunity.
West Philadelphia artists will be invited to apply to work in a newly renovated studio space on the 3rd floor of the West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance building, adjacent to the Paul Robeson House & Museum. During the residency, artists will engage with the history and legacy of Paul Robeson at the Paul Robeson House & Museum and connect with the West Philadelphia creative community through public programming.
The inaugural residency will take place from March–June 2025. The artist-in-residence will receive a $10,000 stipend with an additional $5,000 available to support public programming during the residency.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the Paul Robeson House & Museum Artist Residency.
- Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
- Applicants must reside, work in, or have significant ties to the West Philadelphia community.
- Applicants must create work that fits within or responds to the histories or traditions of Black artists.
West Philadelphia Arts Council
The West Philadelphia Arts Council was formed to establish ongoing dialogue about resources needed to support arts and culture in West Philadelphia and manage a sub-granting program supporting artists and arts activities in the community. A portion of a lead support grant from the William Penn Foundation supports honoraria for council members and administrative costs.
Paul Robeson House & Museum
Paul Robeson House & Museum (PRHM) is located in West Philadelphia and was the final home of artist, actor, and activist Paul Leroy Robeson. Founded by the West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance (WPCA), PRHM keeps Paul Robeson’s legacy alive by supporting the values he stood for—social and economic justice, racial equity, artistic excellence, and the power of art as a force for fundamental social change. PRHM is a museum, cultural space, and community center serving West Philadelphia and the world. Since its founding in 1984 (and the founding of PRHM in 1994), the WPCA has connected the community to the arts through workshops, gallery shows, author talks, and concerts.
William Penn Foundation
The William Penn Foundation, founded in 1945 by Otto and Phoebe Haas, is committed to expanding access to resources and opportunities that promote a more vital and just city and region for all. The foundation does this through funding programs in the Philadelphia region in arts and culture, children and families, democracy and civic initiatives, environment and public space, and workforce training and services.
The Sachs Program for Arts Innovation
The Sachs Program for Arts Innovation is a center at the University of Pennsylvania that provides grants and other forms of strategic support to artists, faculty, cultural centers, students, and other arts advocates at Penn and beyond. Our vision is that the arts at Penn are valued and embraced as a creative catalyst, driving innovation, inspiration, and action.
The Sachs Program supports a creative, culturally diverse, and pluralistic Penn community. The Sachs Program is committed to supporting individuals and groups from all races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, religions, disabilities, and socioeconomic backgrounds.