FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 17, 2017

STOCKTON RUSH BARTOL FOUNDATION AWARDS

22 GRANTS TO PHILADELPHIA ARTS AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS

Grants awarded to exemplary cultural organizations highlighting commitment to arts education

Philadelphia, PA—The Stockton Rush Bartol Foundation announced today that it will distribute $115,000 in grants to 22 Philadelphia arts and cultural organizations. The Foundation supports organizations in a range of artistic disciplines with an emphasis on arts education and community-based arts programs.  A complete list of grants for 2017 with information on each grantee is available here.

The 2017 roster of grantees reflects the Bartol Foundation’s commitment to supporting cultural organizations that provide exceptional, sustained arts experiences to children, teens and adults throughout Philadelphia’s neighborhoods. The Bartol Foundation supports organizations throughout the City, from large to small, established and emerging. The Foundation made 20 grants of $5,000 each.  Two grants of $7,500 each were made to Philadelphia Dance Company (Philadanco) in recognition of their exceptional dance training and Sister Cities Girlchoir for their Saturday Girlchoir Academy that builds singers and leaders. Two first-time grantees – Rock to the Future and Warrior Writers– add new perspectives to the mix.

“In the current climate, it is especially important that all voices have the chance to be heard,” said Toni Shapiro-Phim, Chair of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees and Director of Programs for Philadelphia Folklore Project. “Arts programs supported by the Bartol Foundation provide opportunities for the establishment of safe spaces in which to create and connect.”

“We are committed to supporting arts in communities that might otherwise be overlooked,” added Beth Feldman Brandt, Executive Director of the Foundation. “Warrior Writers works with veterans to share their stories. Al-Bustan builds bridges among immigrant communities by making art together.  We are grateful to the organizations we support for partnering with us on this shared mission.”

Grants distributed this year also include $15,000 in funds from the Waterman II Fund of The Philadelphia Foundation.

The $5,000 George Bartol Arts Education Award, given annually to an organization that exemplifies the Foundation’s priorities, will be announced in the fall of 2017.

Updated guidelines and applications for the next round of grants will be available in the winter of 2018 on the Foundation’s website at www.bartol.org with an application deadline of May 1, 2018.

For more information, contact Beth Feldman Brandt Executive Director at  256-519-5311 or at bfbrandt@bartol.org

The Stockton Rush Bartol Foundation seeks to foster an environment where arts and culture can flourish. The Foundation provides financial and technical support to non-profit arts and cultural organizations in Philadelphia. Through its grantmaking, professional development programs and arts advocacy, the Foundation works to ensure a vibrant cultural life for all Philadelphia citizens through programs that use art as a catalyst for meaningful communication and connections, strengthening the social fabric of our City’s neighborhoods.