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An anonymous donor provided dance surfaces to homebound artists, like the PA Ballet’s Jermel Johnson, here practicing at home during the pandemic. (Image courtesy of PA Ballet.)

How are leaders of the Pennsylvania Ballet weathering the pandemic?

Jumping into life at home

Just as it was poised to transition its contemporary ballets to the Perelman, the Pennsylvania Ballet hit the same crisis that every other live arts producer did. Camille Bacon-Smith spoke with the organization's leaders about how dance can survive a pandemic.

Camille Bacon-Smith

Aug 25, 2020 Articles 5 minute read

How long until we can breathe in the same space? Kun-Yang Lin in class before the pandemic. (Photo by Ellen Rosenberg Photography.)

How are Philly dance companies surviving the COVID arts lockdown?

Hearts, minds, and bodies

Perhaps more than many other art forms, dance relies on the physical energy between dancers and their audience. Adapting to life in a pandemic is a special challenge for these companies. Leaders at Kun-Yang Lin Dancers and Koresh Dance spoke with Camille Bacon-Smith.

Camille Bacon-Smith

Jun 29, 2020 Articles 5 minute read

It’s out there, if you know how to look: nonprofit arts funding. (Photo of Azuka Theatre’s ‘Boycott Esther’ by Johanna Austin/AustinArt.org.)

Scrambling to understand nonprofit arts funding? Here’s what you need to know

The creativity to survive

Nonprofit arts funding can be confusing and daunting, especially as City Council debates eliminating the Philadelphia Cultural Fund in a COVID-19 austerity budget. But there are possibilities and resources. Alix Rosenfeld busts the myths and provides the facts.

Alix Rosenfeld

Jun 08, 2020 Articles 6 minute read

Edward Pettit, Mary Going, and Lauren Nixon bring Dracula to Zoom every week. (Image courtesy of the Rosenbach.)

Seven tips for transforming in-person conferences into irresistible online experiences

If you stream it, will they come?

Conference veterans and networking mavens Neil Bardhan and Marta Rusek have your guide to organizing virtual gatherings that don’t suck (unless they involve Dracula).

Neil Bardhanand Marta Rusek

Jun 02, 2020 Articles 6 minute read

The cast of EgoPo’s ‘Curse of the Starving Class,’ together before the pandemic descended. (Photo courtesy of EgoPo.)

EgoPo faced disaster once before. How is the company coping in the pandemic?

The day they left

EgoPo Classic Theater relocated successfully to Philadelphia after hurricane Katrina destroyed its former home in New Orleans. Artistic director Lane Savadove talks to Jill Ivey about surviving a second disaster.

Jillian Ashley Blair Ivey

Apr 21, 2020 Articles 4 minute read

Jacqueline Constance is feeling the blow from the pandemic, but that isn't stopping her creativity. (Photo courtesy of the artist.)

In the pandemic shut-down, Philly's musicians find creative ways to keep playing

The gigs we lost

Philly's music scene has taken a hit as clubs and restaurants have shut down and gigs have been canceled. John Morrison speaks with a few local artists on how they are coping, how they are adapting creatively, and what this means for the future of music in the city.

John Morrison

Apr 06, 2020 Articles 4 minute read

The show will go on: People’s Light artists gather to film one more run of ‘Shakespeare in Love.’ (Photo by Alix Rosenfeld.)

Theater artists are at work during the COVID-19 lockdown. Here’s how—and where to find them

Quarantine has never killed theater, and it’s not about to

With theaters all over the country going dark indefinitely because of the coronavirus, how will live art continue to thrive? Dramaturg Alix Rosenfeld has news for you.

Alix Rosenfeld

Mar 17, 2020 Articles 6 minute read

The organ at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in University City is one of many in Philly that need preserving. (Photo by Margaret Darby.)

The Playing and Preserving project aims to save Philly’s endangered historic organs

Organ-ized support

A national nonprofit is combining the forces of several music organizations to help 10 Philadelphia congregations preserve historic organs, launching a three-concert series to engage the public with these important instruments. Margaret Darby considers.

Margaret Darby

Oct 22, 2019 Articles 3 minute read

The REC Philly team in its new space at 9th and Market. (Photo by Kevin Kilkinney.)

REC Philly announces a major footprint in the new Fashion District

A new creators’ space by the old Market East

After meeting in school and building their business from the ground up, REC Philly cofounders David Silver and Will Toms announce a big new space on Market Street. Suzanne Cloud was there.

Suzanne Cloud

Aug 06, 2019 Articles 4 minute read

On the outside in Media: musician and singer/songwriter Danie Ocean. (Photo by Brian Samson.)

Does the cultural renaissance in Media, PA include everybody?

No welcome at home

Media, PA is getting is own accolades as an arts and culture destination—but does this historic Philly suburb actually welcome performers of all backgrounds? Danie Ocean considers.

Danie Jackson

Jul 30, 2019 Articles 3 minute read

Creative economy