Discover how Erie Arts and Culture's "Use the Groove" project transforms classroom routines into joyful celebrations of song with the help of talented New American artists.

Erie Arts and Culture proudly introduces the 2024 Lydia McCain Artist Fellowship awardees, spotlighting the transformative work of local artists across various career stages.

Explore the artistry of traditional American furniture with Charles Elliott and his apprentices, as they weave history and craftsmanship into every restored piece at Taleweavers.

A look at our 2024 vision and beyond!

The Simons Foundation has announced that Erie Arts & Culture and a trio of partners including FEED Media Art Center, artist Alex “lonesav” Staley, and astrophysicist and folklorist Dr. Moiya McTier are among the recipients of a gift as part of the Foundation’s “In the Path of Totality” initiative. Read more about this project!

Traditional Arts in Northwest Pennsylvania. Interview with Amber Love.

Pennsylvania Art Education Association (PAEA) has announced that Erie Arts and Culture (EAC) is being honored as the 2023 Pennsylvania Art Education Association Outstanding Friend to Art Education Award. PAEA, through a rigorous review process, has identified EAC as an outstanding leader in the field of art education because its creative contributions, excellence in professional engagement, and dedication to service are meritorious and deserve PAEA’s recognition. 

This month, Erie Arts & Culture spotlights different New American artists to honor World Refugee Day, an international celebration that acknowledges the strength and contributions refugees make in their new homes.

This month, Erie Arts & Culture spotlights different New American artists to honor World Refugee Day, an international celebration that acknowledges the strength and contributions refugees make in their new homes.

This month Erie Arts & Culture spotlights different New American artists to honor World Refugee Day, an international celebration that acknowledges the strength and contributions refugees make in their new homes.

Traditional Arts in Northwest Pennsylvania. Interview with Carol Novosel.

On January 22, Erie’s Tamang Buddhist Cultural Center celebrated their biggest public event of the year. Lhosar is a New Year’s gathering featuring over 20 acts of song, dance, speeches, blessings, and lots of food.

Traditional Arts in Northwest Pennsylvania. Interview with Harv Gorton.

Traditional Arts in Northwest Pennsylvania. Interview with Allen Brown.

Traditional Arts in Northwest Pennsylvania. Interview with Edward Kranz.

Traditional Arts in Northwest Pennsylvania. Interview with April Cox.

Traditional Arts in Northwest Pennsylvania. Interview with Amber Harmon.

June 20th is World Refugee Day, an international celebration of the strength and resilience of those who have fled conflict and persecution.

Erie is home to thousands of former refugees, many of whom have become naturalized citizens. Former refugees are an important part of Erie’s economic engine and have helped stabilized population decline. Erie Arts & Culture is proud to publish an updated directory of small businesses owned by former refugees.

Thanks to grants from the Erie Community Foundation and the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art, Menajerie Studios has created a short documentary about three of the many food markets owned by refugees that can be found within the City of Erie. Visiting one of these markets is a great way to experience a culture outside of your own.

The expERIEnce Children’s Museum partnered with six New American families and a family from Puerto Rico to create a video series titled “expERIEnce My Home.” Each video welcomes the viewer to learn about a specific culture, from a child’s eye view. The viewer is invited to learn about the Bosnian pastry called pita, a traditional Syrian wedding dance, the celebration of Diwali, how Congolese carry a baby on their back, traditional Puerto Rican attire, and ancestral drumming from Nepal. Children share greetings in Swahili, Spanish, Arabic, Bosnian, and Tamang.

Online learning can build community!

Last spring 10 New American artists worked with film students at McDowell High School. The artists captured video footage of themselves and the students learned interview skills via Zoom. The students edited the footage together to create mini-documentaries. The artists built their digital mettle while students met fascinating people representing a wide range of cultures and art forms.

Watch some of their videos and learn about Erie’s diverse folk and fine artists in our latest blog post.