April 28, 2022 by Roberta

Rally for the Arts! Citizens to envision new use of Roundhouse, Melissa Lucio documentary, and two opportunities

We want to encourage you to turn out for the Rally for the Arts on Wednesday, May 11 at 11:30 – 1:30 at City Hall. The Mayor’s budget cuts enacted over the last two years and proposed for 2023 demonstrate the Mayor’s lack of understanding of the importance of the arts. Rally for more funding for the arts in the city budget! In other news, Amber Arts and Design and Connect the Dots will help citizens engage with the police HQ, the Roundhouse, and how best to treat the building going forward when the police move. Plus opportunities, including a big-budget Percent for Art project for PHL International! Finally, we urge you to watch a documentary on Melissa Lucio, whose execution has been stayed by a Texas court.

April 21, 2022 by Roberta

Jack Whitten video, Hydroponic gardening in Reading Terminal, Artseeing booklet and Common Field sunsets

April 14, 2022 by Roberta

Barbara Silzle to leave Philadelphia Cultural Fund, Mark Thomas Gibson’s Guggenheim, The Clay Studio, a great DVAA panel and more!

Congratulations to all the Guggenheim Fellows and especially these two — Mark Thomas Gibson! Lynne Woods Turner! To The Clay Studio on its grand opening of the new building on American Street! To “Books & Co” (formerly Ulises) bookshop, now at the Icebox Project Space!

April 8, 2022 by Roberta

Mikel Elam, Morgan Nitz, Black Quantum Futurism, the Quilts of Gees Bend, plus opportunities!

Today’s news is filled with local interest: Artist Mikel Elam was asked to reimagine the Liberty Bell and what it symbolizes. He fashioned a sculptural mask called “A muzzle to silence you,” from materials that suggest the history of enslaved Africans.

March 25, 2022 by Roberta

Velocity Fund launches fifth year of funding for Philadelphia Artists with open call for innovative projects

Artblog is excited to let you know about The Velocity Fund’s 2022 open call for projects in and with communities in Philadelphia. We love this direct-to-artist funding source! We believe that art belongs in the community, and projects belong in the hands of artists, and The Velocity Fund helps make that happen. Read on and be sure to consider applying for your innovative project.

March 24, 2022 by Roberta

‘Trouble’ available, the magazine, that is, Gabe Martinez speaks at Taller Puertorriqueño, Music everywhere and several great opportunities

“Trouble” magazine is a “surreal adventure in page turning,” says Roberta, about the publication started by Matthew Rose. Also rounded up in this News edition, a talk online or in person with one of Artblog’s favorite artists, Gabe Martinez; information about the Pan-Philadelphia festival “Rehearsing Philadelphia, a musical cornucopia inclusive of all styles and players. Finally, there are some good opportunities for funding!

March 18, 2022 by Roberta

Thoughts about cities, plus news of Philly Community Wireless and two solid opportunities

Roberta prefaces the News and Opportunities with a heartfelt musing about the importance of cities, since so many are being destroyed right now in Ukraine. Meanwhile, there is news about free public wifi in Philadelphia and several opportunities.

March 11, 2022 by Roberta

Kristal Sotomayor on ‘Expanding Sanctuary,’ an Added Velocity Spotlight Interview

Kristal Sotomayor is the subject of our fifth and final Added Velocity 2021-2022 spotlight interview series! Her project “Expanding Sanctuary” was first funded through Velocity Fund in 2020, and now with $15,000 in additional funding through Added Velocity, she will further her 26-minute documentary “about the campaign to end the sharing of the police database with Immigration and Customs Enforcement led by Juntos and the Latinx immigrant community in South Philly.” Learn more below!