August 13, 2022

Kulu Mele Awarded Support Grant
Through Philadelphia’s Cultural Treasures

PHILADELPHIA (August 13, 2022) – Kulu Mele announced today it is among 16 Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) arts organizations awarded general operating support grants through the Philadelphia’s Cultural Treasures (PCT) initiative. The regional component of Ford Foundation’s America’s Cultural Treasures, PCT is a three-part funding initiative that aims to support BIPOC cultural groups, artists, and organizations with exceptional significance to Greater Philadelphia as part of local philanthropy’s commitment to supporting a racially, economically, and socially just COVID-19 recovery.

Kulu Mele received multi-year funding for general operating support through the initiative’s first funding opportunity made available to BIPOC led/serving arts organizations.*

“In Philadelphia and across the country, cultural groups, artists, and organizations of color have historically struggled with fewer financial resources than their white counterparts, with the COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbating this issue,” explained William Penn Foundation Board Chair Kathy Christiano. “Their work is an important part of the cultural landscape in Philadelphia, and we are pleased to support such a vibrant cohort of diverse arts organizations.”

Philadelphia’s Cultural Treasures is a multi-funder collaborative including support from The Barra Foundation, Neubauer Family Foundation, The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, William Penn Foundation, and Wyncote Foundation. The program aims to create new opportunities for BIPOC artists, creatives, and culture-bearers and recognizes their important and enduring contributions to Philadelphia and its residents. The grantmaking initiative includes two other upcoming funding opportunities: fellowships for BIPOC artists (nominations closing in August 2022) and project grants to emergent organizations or collectives critically valued in their communities (application expected in summer 2023).

*The multi-funder initiative provided over $6 million in grants to 16 local BIPOC arts organizations.

https://www.philadelphiasculturaltreasures.org/operating-support

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