Support Philly Theater and Arts Community

morganlhugo
Mar 30
3 min read

Now more than ever, funding to the arts community is being cut. Arts and cultural institutions like theaters, libraries, and museums are losing their federal funding or have their funding be put on hold.

For many arts organizations, they applied in the last administration to receive National Endowment of Arts Funding and were approved for it. With this current administration, the criteria changed to receive federal funding. Basically art organizations that do not have a project that celebrated America were cancelled.

From the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance: "Between 2020-2024, direct grants from the NEA, NEH, and IMLS to organizations and agencies in Pennsylvania totaled $111,251,968, with 967 grants distributed by the three agencies. This includes nearly $42.5 million in funding distributed to organizations in Southeastern Pennsylvania during the same period. The potential consequences of any action to freeze or cut federal funding will be felt acutely on national and local levels. "

In Philadelphia, First Person Arts has their signature program, "Story Slam" be put on hold due to pause in NEA Funding.

A vintage microphone is on a dark stage with text about StorySlams canceled due to NEA funding pause. Encourages sharing stories. Mood is somber.

For more of a news story how the cuts to the arts is harming local organizations, you can also check out this WHYY Article by Peter Crimmins https://whyy.org/articles/philadelphia-national-endowment-arts-federal-funding/

These are the key article takeaways:

A recent survey of Pennsylvania arts organizations revealed the possible impacts of the executive orders:

59% of respondents said the orders will impact cash flow and payroll.
48% said it would disrupt their educational programming.
43% said they would likely have to cancel exhibits, presentations, and performances.

Soo...what can we do about it? Here are some suggestions that I have:

Visit a museum, check out a book at the library, and see a play.
Encourage your friends to do the same.
Donate your money to these institutions. Now more than ever, they need our cold hard cash.
Tell your elected officials to give NEA funding to organizations without caveats like DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) or gender ideology.

Four Shows to see in April:

(We know there is more, and please tell us about them.)

1812 Production - Let's Pretend We're Married - Closes April 13th.

"Tony Braithwaite and Jennifer Childs reunite in this signature cabaret about bliss of the wedded sort. Let’s Pretend We’re Married features original and vintage material and is packed with songs of love (both the upright as well as the horizontal kind) by everyone from Irving Berlin to Captain and Tennille. The audience is invited to play an updated version of The Newlywed Game and one lucky couple will get the opportunity to renew their vows at the end of the show. "

Interact Theater Company - Rift - Closes April 27th:

Two serious men in front of a barred background. Text: "InterAct Theatre Company Season 37. Rift, or White Lies by Gabriel Jason Dean."

"Two estranged brothers – one a progressive novelist, the other a convicted murderer and high-ranking member of a white supremacist prison gang – are united through their traumatic childhood. Now adults, they attempt to navigate the edges of their brotherly bond, as well as a path forward toward understanding and forgiveness. In an increasingly polarized world, is it possible to love someone whose beliefs you hate? "

Wilma Theater Company, - Archduke - Closes May 4th

Three people with red-stained lips and fingers hold jars of red liquid against a green background, appearing surprised and amused.

"Three boys – Gavrilo Princip, Trifko Grabež, and Nedeljko Čabrinović – are recruited by a mysterious organization with promises of glory, purpose, and a sandwich. Their depraved Captain sends the boys on a mission he claims will restore order and justice to their struggling nation and avenge the unfairness of their terminal illness. Their assignment? Assassinate the heir to the Austro-Hungarian empire, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and his wife, Sophie. Beloved playwright Rajiv Joseph (Describe the Night) returns to the Wilma with a play that asks, what happens when a person feels like they have nothing left to lose? What methods are acceptable in the fight against oppression? Led by the Wilma’s visionary Founding Artistic Director Blanka Zizka (Heroes of the Fourth Turning, Kill Move Paradise), and featuring the HotHouse Acting Company, Archduke offers audiences a humanized glimpse into the catalyst of WWI."

Arden Theater Company - The Hobbit - Closes May 25th

Silhouette of a person with hands on hips, holding a spear. Dragon silhouette in the moonlit sky. Background has red and blue hues.

"Our unlikely hero, Bilbo Baggins, would much rather be sitting in his cozy Hobbit Hole with a cup of tea and a plate of bacon and eggs. However, he somehow finds himself on a magically mystical adventure. Staged with speed and surprises, you’ll be delighted by this exciting new telling of Tolkien’s beloved story as Bilbo travels through freezing mountains and frightening forests, meeting all sorts of fierce and wonderful creatures — some who want to eat him and others who turn into dear friends. And discovers that some things are truly worth fighting for."