Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA) is a partnership between local organizations and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA). Operating in all 67 Pennsylvania counties, PPA Partners re-grant PCA funds to support a wide variety of local and community arts activities. PPA goals include:
- Expanding constituent access to the arts by (a) making arts programs available to communities that may have been underserved in the past by state arts funding, and (b) supporting a wide variety of arts activities in communities, developed in a variety of local settings.
- Encouraging and supporting local decision making in regranting of arts dollars.
- Increasing awareness of and advocacy for government support and funding for the arts at the local and state levels.
- Enabling the PCA to provide increased assistance to its broad constituency throughout the state.
Community Giving Foundation is the Region 3 Partner serving Columbia, Lycoming, Sullivan, Bradford, and Tioga Counties.
On behalf of Pennsylvania Creative Industries, powered by Pennsylvania Counseil on the Arts, please see the following update regarding changes to the availability of the Creative Sector Flex Fund in this region, which includes Columbia, Lycoming, Sullivan, Bradford, and Tioga Counties.
As of Fiscal Year 2026-27 (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027), the Creative Sector Flex Fund (CSFF) program will discontinue statewide. In its place, the Creative Asset Program will provide new, direct, flexible support for small-to-mid-sized arts organizations with average annual revenue between $100,000 - $2 million. Eligible applicants will apply directly to Pennsylvania Creative Industries, which will publish program guidelines for the Creative Asset Program in December 2025.
This information is being shared now to help with planning and budgetary activities going forward.
Attention Current CSFF Applicants: The future discontinuation of the Creative Sector Flex Fund (CSFF) does not impact the availability of the program in the current year (FY 2025-26). Pending passage of the Commonwealth budget, Community Giving Foundation will distribute information regarding the status of FY 2025-26 applications, as well as instructions for and requirements pertaining to those applicants approved for CSFF funds. Additionally, as FY 2025-26 grant award agreement materials will outline, CSFF grantees will be required to submit final report materials to Community Giving Foundation by January 31, 2027.
Questions:
- For general questions regarding an application to the current (FY 2025-26) CSFF program, contact Karri Harter at [email protected]
- For general questions about the CSFF program, contact Amanda Lovell, PA Creative Industries' Director of Access to the Creative Sector, at [email protected]
- For general questions about the Creative Asset Program, contact Ian Rosario, Pa Creative Industries' Director of Arts Organizations and Arts Programs and Grant Liaison, at [email protected]
Background
Pennsylvania Creative Industries' governing Council recently adopted a new strategic framework, alongside an updated agency mission to empower, connect, and amplify creatives and creative industries and their contributions to Pennsylvania's communities, eocnomy, and workforce. The agency vision is that Pennsylvania becomes the national leader among states for creative communities, talent, and industries.
To maximize progress on its mission and ensure all the agency's work is aligned, Pennsylvania Creative Industries' Council adopted five key areas around which to focus its resources: asset development, workforce development, community development, visibility, and policy.
Over the coming months, Pennsylvania Creative Industries will be publishing new and expanded opportunities for the Commonwealth's creative sector, including the Creative Asset Program. You can sign up for news here and access new program guidelines on Pennsylvania Creative Industries' website.