Words of Wisdom from Philadelphia's Cultural Treasures
Philadelphia’s robust and renowned arts and culture scene is the thread that weaves together the fabric of our city of neighborhoods. That fabric is only made stronger and more vibrant by arts organizations that are led by and serving people of color and are making great impacts across the city. Unfortunately, funding for these cultural cornerstones is not distributed equitably, with a 2020 report by Echoing Green and Bridgespan finding that unrestricted operating grants for Black-led organizations are 76 percent smaller than their white-led counterparts. Sadly, the immense impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the U.S. cultural sector over the last five years further exacerbated this funding inequity for cultural groups and organizations led by people of color.
Philadelphia’s Cultural Treasures (PCT), the regional effort of the Ford Foundation’s America’s Cultural Treasures initiative, was a bold response to ensure that these vulnerable organizations also had the resources they needed to thrive and recover. A one-time multi-year grant program made possible through the William Penn Foundation’s collaboration with other arts funders in the region, PCT set out to provide relief and create opportunities for artists, groups, and organizations making an enduring impact on our city and its residents, despite historically limited resources. Its grantees are leaders among the many cultural organizations and artists essential to the region’s arts ecosystem and critical to our cultural identity.
The ingenuity and commitment with which these grantees have responded to generations of under-capitalization echo the legacies of the communities of color that inspire their creativity. These organizations led by and serving communities of color are especially crucial as we enter a new moment of rapid change and uncertainty. Playing an essential civic and community role in responding to this rhetoric, these organizations affirm and uphold the diverse cultures and traditions that shape the fabric of our city. With that in mind, we engaged leaders whose organizations received PCT general operating support to share their thought leadership and unique perspectives on the roles they play in reflecting and representing their Indigenous, African American, African diaspora, Arab and Southwest Asia and North African American, South Asian, and Puerto Rican and Latinx communities.
- Tell us about your organization and a recent project, program, or initiative that made an impact on the communities you serve.
“South Asian American Digital Archive’s (SAADA) mission is to create a more inclusive society by giving voice to South Asian Americans through documenting, preserving, and sharing stories that represent our community’s unique and diverse experiences. Though South Asian Americans have been a presence in the U.S. for over 130 years, our stories are rarely reflected in textbooks, classrooms, or mainstream media. SAADA’s goal is to change this by ensuring that South Asian Americans are recognized as an essential part of the American story.
One exciting project SAADA is currently working on is Stories of Solidarity, an initiative that highlights the rich history of connections between South Asians and Black Americans—in the fight for racial justice, as well as personal connections through music, love, friendship, and family. This project uses storytelling, archival materials, and original artistic works to highlight moments of cross-cultural solidarity, emphasizing how these communities have historically supported one another in struggles against racism, colonialism, and systemic injustice. During a time marked by separation and division, SAADA’s work is opening the door to learning, understanding, compassion, and ultimately more ways of working together for common dreams, ambitions, and futures”
– Samip Mallick, Executive Director, South Asian American Digital Archive
“Influenced by the Black Theatre movement of the 1960s, Bushfire Theatre has mounted and developed plays that move away from traditional mainstream theatre. Our plays are written by playwrights who look to the BIPOC community for literary voice. These works continue an aesthetic rooted in deep cultural traditions.
[A program making an impact on the communities we serve is] The Big Book Club (BBC) which invites Philadelphia public and charter schools (middle/high school) to participate in a literacy and arts partnership. Now in its seventh year, The BBC is facilitated by Bushfire artists, university educational consultants and pre-service teachers. The BBC involves each grade reading novels at school, completing in school activities and visiting Bushfire Theatre for a day-long Big Book Club experience that includes writing and performing Life Histories in response to the culturally conscious novels.”
– Verlina Dawson, Executive Director, Bushfire Theatre of Performing Arts
Scribe Video Center has served the people of Greater Philadelphia for over 40 years using electronic media to document issues and ideas affecting diverse economic and cultural communities while creating works that comment on the human condition and celebrate cultural diversity.
“When I think of the Scribe programs with the greatest community impact, what first comes to mind are the history-based media productions we undertake. [A great example is] the Precious Places Community History program which allows neighbors to define what are the components that make a strong community. [Another is] the Power Politics Oral History program, which creates a forum for intergenerational dialogue about strategies for political empowerment."
– Louis Massiah, Executive Director, Scribe Video Center
- Henry Ossawa Tanner once said, "The artist is the interpreter of the human condition, translating our hopes, fears, and dreams into visual form." How does this quote manifest in your work as a BIPOC led/serving arts organization?
"As a BIPOC-led and serving arts organization, we strive to interpret and express the human condition. Through our programs, we address social issues and provide a means for emotional expression and healing. We educate the next generation about the importance of cultural heritage and the arts. Our initiatives, such as the Cultural Heritage Camp, teach children and youth about their roots, instilling pride and a sense of identity. This education helps them navigate their own hopes, fears, and dreams with a deeper understanding of their cultural legacy. In essence, our work is a living testament to Tanner's words. We translate the collective experiences of our community into powerful artistic expressions that inspire, educate, and connect."
– Fasina Wilkie, Executive Director, Kulu Mele African Dance and Drum Ensemble
“At BlackStar, we believe that Black, Brown, and Indigenous artists are the visionaries needed for building the liberatory world we are striving towards. The stories, perspectives, and visual world building they create help us imagine new possibilities, especially in moments where it feels like we can’t or shouldn’t imagine a world beyond right now. We embody Tanner’s quote in our work by creating the conditions for these artists and filmmakers to produce their best work and creating spaces in which audiences and communities can convene and engage with that work.”
– Catherine Lee, Chief Operations Officer, BlackStar
“Asian Arts Initiative was founded by a coalition of Black and Asian poets, responding to the growing racial tensions of the LA Uprisings and seeking to create a space for our communities to convene. [This quote manifests in our work] as we continue to be a place that can hold those hard conversations and serve as a platform for artists to reflect our hopes, fears, and dreams. It is through our artists' work that we have made space for teach-ins on Palestine, or presented work on internet culture, or artificial intelligence. And it is with this work in mind that we have announced that our 2025 theme will be the Artist/Activist, both celebrating but also interrogating the roles and strategies of these overlapping identities for this moment. “
– Matt Nelson, Managing Director, Asian Arts Initiative
“This quote by Henry Ossawa Tanner speaks volumes because he is placing the importance of telling and championing our own stories. If the artists or cultural sites don’t tell their own stories, they risk the chance of someone else telling their stories. Within the PCT cohort, we celebrate the uniqueness of our diversity. Our missions act as the stories we are trying to tell about the human conditions of history, art, and culture by providing the communities we serve with hope, lessons about challenges, sorrow, love, and happiness.”
– Ashley Jordan, PHD., President & CEO, African American Museum in Philadelphia
- How do you envision the collective work and impact of this cohort of cultural treasures contributing to a more equitable future for the local arts and culture ecosystem?
"The Philadelphia Cultural Treasures cohort is a remarkable group of organizations doing exceptional work. As I have gotten to know each of its leaders, I have learned that our missions offer unique perspectives and experiences that enrich the arts and cultural ecosystem of Philadelphia. Some organizations have been in the city for a long time, while others, like ours, are emerging. Nevertheless, we all play an essential role in making our community equitable and just.
As a cohort of BIPOC-led arts organizations, we are cultural innovators, champions, and survivors. The communities we represent and serve see us as vital to the city. Without our presence, cultural producers and protectors from our communities would lack a voice and a platform to express the beauty and diversity we bring to Philadelphia. We take pride in being part of this cohort and genuinely hope to continue growing together. We hold great potential and optimism for future generations."
– Mabel Negrete, Executive Director & Cofounder, Indigenous Peoples' Day Philly, Inc.
“This forum has been an invaluable platform for leaders from various organizations to connect, fostering strong relationships as they share their unique experiences and navigate the challenges they face together. By articulating our aspirations and learning from one another, we can generate innovative ideas and actionable strategies that pave the way for more sustainable futures for our organizations and the communities we serve.”
- Lisa Volta, Executive Director, Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture
“The Cultural Treasures cohort work is destined for success because of our unwavering commitment to uplifting artists and cultural producers in our city. We are honored to be among other artists and organizations dedicated to fostering greater recognition and equity in the arts. At [Norris Square Neighborhood Project], this mission is at the heart of work – we have long invested in programs that amplify artistic expression while creating opportunities for artists to share their craft with our community. By delivering diverse and inclusive arts programming, we ensure that cultural storytelling remains accessible and deeply rooted in the lived experiences of our community. Together, the Cultural Treasures cohort is shaping a future where BIPOC artists have the resources, visibility, and support they deserve, strengthening the local arts and culture ecosystem for generations to come.”
– Andria Bibiloni, Executive Director, Norris Square Neighborhood Project
