Grants and funding

We are dedicated to supporting artists, creative entrepreneurs, and organizations through various grant opportunities. Our funding programs are designed to nurture creativity, enhance cultural experiences, and strengthen the arts community in Northwestern Pennsylvania. Explore the different grants available and learn how you can benefit from our resources.


Grants for Individuals

We offer several grants tailored to support individual artists and creative entrepreneurs. Whether you are seeking funds for a new project, professional development, or to sustain your creative practice, our grants can help you achieve your goals.

  • Lydia McCain Artist Fellowship: Provides unrestricted grant support for three artists of varying career levels.

  • Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program: Offers funding and business development resources to creative entrepreneurs.

  • Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeships: Supports apprenticeships that preserve and promote traditional arts practices.

  • Lydia McCain Grant to Advance Artist Opportunities: Helps artists seize new opportunities for career advancement.

  • ARPA Pennsylvania Arts and Culture Recovery (PACR) Grant for Working Artists: Provides grants to artists affected by the pandemic.

Empowering Individual Creativity


Grants for organizations

Our grants for organizations are designed to enhance the capacity of arts and cultural organizations to deliver impactful programs and services. These grants support a wide range of activities, from program development to operational support.

  • Clarence E. Beyers Fund: Provides partial funding for public music performances.

  • Lydia McCain Next Steps Grant: Supports organizations' strategic efforts to advance their mission, operations, or programs.

  • Virginia P. Vieser Fund: Funds one innovative arts in education initiative.

  • Creative Sector Flex Fund: Offers flexible funding to address the unique needs of arts organizations.

  • Lydia McCain Special Projects: Provides funding for unique, time-sensitive projects.

  • McBrier Family Fund: Supports partnerships with artists to create arts and cultural programming.

  • Preserving Diverse Cultures Division: Supports the creation, development, and stabilization of organizations, programs, and projects deeply rooted in diverse cultures.

Strengthening Community Arts

Join Our Team as a Grant Review Panelist

Erie Arts and Culture invites artists and administrators to become grant review panelists. As a panelist, you'll be instrumental in our grant-making process, offering valuable insights, reviewing applications, and helping to determine funding recipients.

Your support provides vital resources to artists, creative entrepreneurs, and cultural organizations, directly contributing to the growth and sustainability of the arts community in Northwestern Pennsylvania.

Ready to make a lasting impact?

Reach out to our team for more information on how you can establish a grant and support the arts in a meaningful way. Click the button below to contact us and start the conversation.

SUpport the arts in NWPA