Blog

Integrating art with computer science and physics, Kate Sikorski’s drawings make waves - with both vibration and innovation.

Los Angeles-based artist Kate Sikorski, Erie Arts and Culture’s latest visiting artist in residence, concluded her residency on 3/24/2020. Though the tail end of her residency was impacted by the current pandemic, Kate created a plethora of new work while in Erie and collaborated with many local and regional community members to create something truly unique and beautiful. The work that Kate created while in residence is slated to be exhibited in May at a gallery show in Los Angeles.

Staff Picks: A curated list of what to look at, listen to, watch, or read from the team at EAC

Through Erie Arts & Culture's newly formed Emergency Financial Assistance Fund, creative and cultural professionals, which includes artists of all disciplines, who have experienced a disruption to their income stream can request up to $500 in assistance from Erie Arts & Culture. The deadline to apply for the second round of Erie Arts & Culture's Emergency Financial Assistance Fund is Tuesday, March 31 at 11:59 PM.

The CARES Act Impact on Sector: On Friday, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security or “CARES” Act passed legislation. Many in our sector are wondering how it affects them and what relief they can expect. We've highlighted a few of the key points.

We must have legislation in place that acknowledges the financial hardship our sector faces and provides support for those affected. This week, the Senate passed legislation for the COVID-19 response relief package, which includes financial help for our sector. This legislation has moved forward into the House. At this time, it is unknown if the House will make changes to the bill before signing on. 

Our sector’s advocacy has been working thus far, but we have further to go. We must advocate for several crucial items to be included in the COVID-19 Response Relief Package. Since the House's action is critical to the eventual passage of a relief bill, please consider contacting your House leaders. We must encourage them to expedite the passage of legislation that will help members of our sector.

Americans for the Arts has made it easy for you to show your support for our sector during this critical time. You can use their online arts advocacy tool to contact your representatives today. They provide a drafted letter, with an option to revise or add additional personal notes. Please take action now by contacting the elected officials that represent you.

Arundel Cellars & Brewing Company, a North East based small business, is supporting the fund by donating $2 of every online or to-go purchase of a bottle of wine or 12-pack of High Key. Purchases can be made online at arundelcellars.com.

Between March 18th, the date the fund was launched, and March 20th, Erie Arts & Culture received 77 applications requesting financial support. As a first round of funding, 45 creative and cultural professionals were awarded financial support from the regional arts agency. Funding amounts ranged from $150 to assist with groceries to $500 to assist with rent, totaling $13,200. 

As the current pandemic continues to affect the creative and cultural sectors across the nation, Erie Arts & Culture is committed to serving as a central source of information during this difficult time. In addition to initiating our Emergency Financial Assistance Fund for creative and cultural professionals in Erie County, we have compiled a list of additional resources that may be helpful to those who operate in our sector. We will continue to add resource links as they develop.

Erie Arts & Culture announces the formation of a new Emergency Financial Assistance Fund available to creative and cultural professionals in Erie County. Through the assistance program, creative and cultural professionals, which includes artists of all disciplines, who have experienced a disruption to their income stream can request up to $500 in assistance from Erie Arts & Culture.

The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA) and Erie Arts & Culture are closely monitoring the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) both internationally and within our region. We share your concerns about its effect on the arts community in the commonwealth. 

Interested in becoming a Teaching Artist? Read on to learn more about the process and read about Annie Schmitt's teaching artist experience.

Learn more about one of the artist teams from our Creating with Community Artist Residency Program. Shasti O'Leary Soudant (Sculptor) and Esther Ortiz (Pinata Maker) will design, fabricate, and install two pieces of interactive sculpture in Erie's urban core. 

The 2019-2020 cycle of Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts Grants awarded funding to 62 organizations and artists in Erie Arts & Culture’s five-county service region.
18 projects within Erie County received funding. An additional 18 programs within Erie County received funding.

In alignment with our efforts to support broad accessibility to engage the cultural sector during all stages of life, Erie Arts & Culture administers a competitive grants program that provides funding through contributions to the Erie Arts Endowment and the United Arts Fund. Project grants provide up to $5,000 in financial support for cultural activities, including live performances, arts in lifelong learning initiatives, and public art in the name of positive social impact.

Erie Arts & Culture is thrilled to announce that the agency will welcome Los Angeles-based artist Kate Sikorski as the next visiting artist in residence. Kate will visit Erie on the heels of Stephon Senegal’s February residency. She will arrive in Erie on March 2nd and serve as the visiting artist in residence through March 23rd. 

Erie Arts & Culture is pleased to announce the Creating with Community Artist Residency Program. This initiative, which builds the capacity of Erie-based artists by positioning them to serve as leaders within the community, was funded through the support of Erie Insurance and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Neighborhood Assistance Program.

Erie Arts & Culture is excited to launch the Creative Catalyst Speaker Series, which builds off of last year's Placemaking Speaker Series. We welcome our first speaker, Hope McMath, to Erie.