Pennsylvania Creative Industries

06/11/2026

✨ Check out our program in action! ✨

We are thrilled to share a glimpse of , a magical new by Squonk made possible with Pennsylvania Creative Industries’ grant support. ☺️

After a spectacular premiere at Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Arts Festival, is taking Joy Machine on tour across ! 🎹🎸🥁🎶
Catch the show:
⚙️ June 27: Boom on the Bridge in Bridgewater, Beaver County
⚙️ July 2–5: Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival in Greensburg, Westmoreland County
⚙️ Stop #4: Stay tuned... details coming soon!

We are incredibly proud to administer public funds that bring world-class art and creative opportunities directly to communities throughout . Thank you to everyone who helps make this vital work possible!

06/09/2026

🎉Yesterday we kicked off our statewide Creative Industries Grants and Opportunities Workshops at Capital Area Intermediate Unit in Enola, .

Attendees learned about grant opportunities and technical assistance available with Creative Industries and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, had the opportunity to ask our agency representatives questions, and networked with fellow guests. ☺️

Want to learn how our grant programs can bring your creative projects to life? 🎨💃🎭🎶✨ Register today for one of the June sessions or for the July virtual workshop. ➡️ pa.gov/agencies/coa/programs-and-events/upcoming-events-and-training-opportunities

06/08/2026

Ready to launch a new project that elevates your creative economy? 🚀✨

Our Grant is open for applications on a rolling basis! If you have an innovative initiative designed to empower, connect, or amplify creatives, this grant can help bring it to life.

We’re funding projects with broad regional or statewide impacts in our key priority areas: asset development, workforce development, community development, visibility, or policy.

Save these due dates to apply: June 12, Sept. 11, Nov. 13, Feb. 12.

Don't wait to bring your big ideas to life. 🎨💡✨ Check your eligibility and learn more! ➡️ pa.gov/agencies/coa/grants-and-loans/creative-catalyst-grants

06/05/2026

Pennsylvania Creative Industries, powered by Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, has created a new Spotlight Grant Program to expand access to flexible funding for smaller arts organizations and programs.🎨💃🎭🎶✨

Spotlight will empower a new, wider range of small arts organizations and arts programs to contribute to strengthening PA’s $30 billion creative economy.

Read more in our Newsroom. ⤵️

PA Council on the Arts Creates New Spotlight Grant Program for Smaller Orgs

06/04/2026

Applications are currently open for Pennsylvania’s first-ever designated Creative Districts program! 🏙️✨

If arts and creativity are at the heartbeat of your community—or if you want them to be—this program offers a step-by-step approach to leverage your downtown's unique culture, local assets, and physical characteristics. It’s a fantastic opportunity to enhance livability, improve public spaces, and promote tourism!

Letters of intent to apply (LOIs) are due on June 12. Applications are due on Jan. 15, 2027. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/g8aKann6

Read all about why we created this exciting opportunity.
➡️ https://lnkd.in/gj2m3XJG

06/02/2026

We're hitting the road this month for our Industries Grants & Opportunities Workshops to help you level up your creative project, program, or business! ✨

Join Creative Industries staff and state and local funding partners to learn about available grants and technical assistance for PA's creative sector.

🎉Sessions kick off this coming Monday, June 8, and space is limited!

Please note our registration updates:
• ❌FILLED: June 10, SEDA Council of Governments, Lewisburg
• 💻VIRTUAL ONLY: June 17, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, Pittsburgh

Don't miss out on the remaining in-person stops or join us online. See the full schedule and register now!➡️https://lnkd.in/eWWcWgrW

06/01/2026

We are mourning the loss of legendary Pittsburgh jazz guitarist, educator, and beloved Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Handyman Joe Negri.

Joe dedicated nearly 50 years to mentoring generations of Pennsylvania musicians at the University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University. In recognition of his profound impact on our cultural landscape, the Commonwealth celebrated his legacy with a Pennsylvania Governor’s Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2019.

Negri's music will continue to inspire us for generations.

This week we remember Joe Negri. First up, from 1970: The first visit to Negri's Music Shop, where Mr. Negri shows Mister Rogers the many kinds of instruments in his shop: misterrogers.org/episodes/many-kinds-of-musical-instruments

04/28/2026

The Older Artists of PA Showcase 2026 is open for entries!

This juried exhibition, hosted by Pennsylvania Department of Aging and our agency, welcomes all artists over age 60, living in Pennsylvania.

This year, the Showcase will proudly feature the creative contributions of older adults living with dementia recognizing artistic expression can be a powerful tool for connection, identity, and storytelling.

We encourage submissions from all eligible artists, especially older adults living with dementia.

Artists will choose one of three categories:
• Professional
• Non-professional
• Artist Over Age 60 Living with Dementia

Learn more and submit to the Showcase:
https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=17337&fbclid=IwY2xjawRd_alleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF4aUZRYTJxaVc3MHJRckpIc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHiozDY96N-uEkat_sVWSWBncMM0P1QI5ZKcN-WfpidtHVsv5NuNpovngF4tn_aem_Vd2nnm9m4G_oohLvpfBOeA

The Older Artists of PA Showcase 2026 is open for entries. This juried exhibition, hosted by PDA and Pennsylvania Creative Industries/Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, welcomes all artists over age 60, living in Pennsylvania.

This year, the Showcase will proudly feature the creative contributions of older adults living with dementia recognizing artistic expression can be a powerful tool for connection, identity, and storytelling. We encourage submissions from all eligible artists, especially older adults living with dementia.

Artists will choose one of three categories:
• Professional
• Non-professional
• Artist Over Age 60 Living with Dementia

More information and entry submission: https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=17337

04/27/2026

04/07/2026

A wonderful opportunity for K-12 students to create and share their art!

🚨Are you a Pennsylvania K-12 student who loves to create and share your voice through art?

Ahead of our country’s 250th anniversary this summer, we’re inviting students to submit original artwork that showcases what makes their hometown, neighborhood, or personal story unique.

Head to https://www.paea.org/student-opportunities/pennsylvania-250 for details and don’t forget to apply before April 10th!