HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA) has announced the addition of six communities to its Creative Communities Initiative (CCI). Each selected community will receive $100,000 over four years to support arts-based community and economic development projects.
The Creative Communities Initiative aims to strengthen Pennsylvania communities through deep community engagement and leveraging unique creative assets. The goal is to enhance community connectedness, livability, and economic development.
“The Creative Communities Initiative exemplifies our commitment to developing vibrant, inclusive, and resilient communities by leveraging Pennsylvania’s thriving creative sector,” said Karl Blischke, Executive Director of the PCA. “We are excited to see how these new projects harness the power of the arts to create positive change in their communities.”
The 2024 projects are as follows:
- Easton: Led by the Greater Easton Development Partnership, this project focuses on downtown revitalization through artist-led community engagement and public art projects.
- Johnstown: Bottleworks Ethnic Arts Center’s CREATE Public Art Initiative will engage local artists, residents, and youth in planning and implementing public art in Cambria City, a historic district.
- Kane: The Chamber of Commerce of Kane PA will employ an Arts Engagement Coordinator to lead creative placemaking projects, including public art and community festivals.
- Pittsburgh: Managed by Riverlife, the project involves public art and arts activities to inform major infrastructure projects and reconnect residents to the Ohio River Front.
- Potter County: A collaboration with the Potter County Creative Council, this project aims to address youth engagement and population loss through community asset mapping and creative placemaking.
- Uniontown: The National Road Heritage Corridor will train local students to collect local African American stories and implement public art projects celebrating the community’s role in the Underground Railroad.
The PCA is currently seeking letters of interest for the 2025 CCI round, with submissions due by November 22, 2024. This initiative continues to demonstrate the transformative power of the arts in fostering vibrant and resilient communities across Pennsylvania.
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