Artists reimagine Philly’s public spaces with free events for everyone

Philadelphia is loaded with public spaces, and for the second year in a row, Creative Philadelphia wants to know just what we can dream up for them. Performers and other creatives can apply to receive funding through the 2016 Performances in Public Spaces Program. The deadline is 5pm Thursday, December 17.

The initiative kicked off last year thanks to the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (OACCE), which aims to support and promote arts, culture, and creative industries and to develop partnerships and coordinate efforts that weave arts, culture, and creativity into the economic and social fabric of the city. Their goal: to support artists and performing arts organizations interested in presenting free performances in public parks and other places. Last year, the sites were preselected; this year, the sky’s the limit. By opening the program to any public place that can hold a performance or artistic event, the OACCE hopes to encourage greater collaboration and creativity between artists and sites.

From bagpipes to a Cambodian buffet

Last year, 23 performers in 26 performances were featured in FDR Park, Fairhill Square, Pearl Street at the Asian Arts Initiative, Bartram’s Garden, and more. Sites that weren’t preselected expressed interest, and that’s why the limitation was lifted this year, organizers say. Sites can collaborate with performers, but applications still must come from the artists, not the venues. Performances with a unique and natural connection between the site, the performance, and the artist that also increase visibility for civic space are preferred.

Lindsay Tucker So, research & policy associate and manager for CultureBlocks at OACCE, said last year exceeded expectations, especially in terms of diversity. “We had everything from Shakespeare in Clark Park, which we funded a little of, as well as Italian Bagpipes for All Occasions, a Cambodian ballet — stuff that people might not know exists in Philly,” she said. “We were excited to see that.”

Expanding the program

The program will expand annually depending on how much money is available, determined by how much applicants request as well as the available budget. Last year, for instance, the initiative had funding from the National Endowment for the Arts that they don’t have this year. They’re trying to make up for that with their own budget. “Since it was so well-received, we want to continue at that scale if not more,” So said. “It’s important. It provides free opportunities across the city.”

Creative Philadelphia anticipates that 10 to 15 awards of $500 to $2,500 will be made with funds going toward artist fees, production, and other administrative costs. That figure depends on how many applications they receive and how much money applicants request.

Since they’re not using preselected sites, the hope is that performances will be brought to more areas around the city, so that more people will become aware of the amazing arts in Philadelphia, and that spaces will be put to even better use. “That’s something our office is working towards and values,” So said. “It’s a city of neighborhoods, and we need to meet people where they are and support organizations already providing performances in those neighborhoods.”