HARRISBURG – The bipartisan, bicameral PA Legislative Arts and Culture Caucus joined Creative Pennsylvania and arts advocates yesterday for their annual Arts Advocacy Day at the Capitol. The day’s events highlighted the importance of the arts across the commonwealth and emphasized the need for increased investment in Pennsylvania’s creative sector.
The caucus is co-chaired by Sens. Pat Stefano (R-32) and Jay Costa (D-43), and Reps. Joe Ciresi (D-146) and R. Lee James (R-64).
“The arts are woven into every corner of our commonwealth,” Stefano said. “From our classrooms to our buildings and infrastructure, art is an essential element of economic growth in every community. That’s why, as we look ahead, it is so important for us to consider new and innovative funding strategies that can support artists, cultural organizations and the broader creative industries to help drive Pennsylvania’s economic vitality. I’m proud to see so many advocates engage directly with lawmakers today to highlight the importance of the arts.”
The day started off with a breakfast where participants and legislators heard from organizations on both sides of Pennsylvania — The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. Throughout the morning and afternoon, arts professionals and volunteers met with lawmakers to discuss policy priorities and share information about the cultural and economic contributions of the arts.
“As a longtime lover and supporter of the arts, I’m proud to support Pennsylvania’s great performers, artists, entertainers and inventors who shape Pennsylvania’s unique and vibrant culture,” Costa said. “Pennsylvania is a national leader in arts and cultural innovation, from world-class musical acts to award-winning television to technological advancements on the Rock Lititz campus. I will continue to join my colleagues in the House and Senate to champion sustained investments in the arts, which benefit our local economies, our tourism sector and our families.”
A press conference was held at the end of the day in the Main Rotunda, where Ciresi and James joined the group emphasizing the bipartisan commitment to supporting the arts in Pennsylvania.
“The commonwealth has always been a place that harbors creativity,” James said. “From murals lighting up the streets, to theater performances, to blissful music gracing our ears, millions of us crave the arts that showcase centuries-long legacies. As the House Republican co-chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Arts and Culture Caucus, it is the honor of a lifetime to advocate for the arts in the Keystone State.”
“Every single day we’re touched by the arts, in everything that we do, art touches us whether we know it or not. There’s artwork everywhere, yet we don’t put enough money into the arts. Pennsylvania features some of the best arts organizations, in not only the United States, but from across the world,” Ciresi said. “Taylor Swift didn’t become Taylor Swift because one day she woke up. She took singing lessons, she had a music teacher, she had to have somebody teach her how to play piano. Yet, we don’t think about the investment in what it takes to be a great artist, nor what those artists bring in when they thrive.”
The day’s festivities concluded with a performance by The Philly Pops, a Philadelphia‑based orchestral ensemble known for performing popular and contemporary music.
“Pennsylvania ranks 33rd in arts funding per capita, yet we are in the top ten nationally in arts vibrancy. State support should reflect this national standing,” Kelley Gibson of Creative Pennsylvania, said. “This advocacy day isn’t the end of our work, it’s the beginning. Without this increased funding, many organizations may be forced to reduce critical operating support, scale back programming or even close their doors. We need everyone to reach out to their legislator, encouraging them to vote for additional resources so that the arts groups in Pennsylvania can continue to thrive.”
CONTACTS: Amanda Cuteri (Stefano)
Savanah Thorpe Capizzi (Costa)
Kelley Gibson (Creative Pennsylvania)