Who we are
Erie Arts and Culture, originally founded as the Arts Council of Erie in 1966, is the regional arts agency for Northwestern Pennsylvania, appointed by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA). We promote, support, and develop culture and creativity, ensuring a broad range of opportunities for residents and tourists to engage in arts and culture in Erie, Crawford, Venango, Warren, Mercer, and Lawrence counties. We strive to serve all communities equitably, regardless of geographic location or economic status.
Nurturing a vibrant region by elevating, inspiring, and connecting artists and organizations in Northwestern Pennsylvania.
Erie Arts and Culture’s Mission Statement | 2024
our Legacy
Since our establishment, Erie Arts and Culture has played a pivotal role in enriching the cultural landscape of Northwestern Pennsylvania. We are proud to be the only PCA partner in the state to administer all three PCA programs: Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA), Arts in Education (AIE), and Folk and Traditional Arts. Through these programs, we have provided essential support and resources to artists and organizations, ensuring that creativity thrives in every corner of our region.
Through our partnership with the PCA and EAC administered arts endowments, we offer a variety of programs and resources to support the arts including:
Grants and Funding: Providing financial support to individuals and organizations that utilize the arts and humanities to engage the broader community.
Artist Residencies: Hosting in-depth arts learning experiences for youth and adults.
Workshops and Networking Events: Offering educational tools, resources, and opportunities for artists to grow and connect.
Community Engagement: Celebrating and preserving the region’s cultural diversity through various initiatives.
Our history
Erie Arts and Culture was founded in 1960 as the Arts Council of Erie to support a limited number of Erie County non-profit organizations through the United Arts Fund endowment. In 1996, Erie Arts & Culture became the regional arts council for NWPA, as appointed by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. Today, Erie Arts & Culture serves artists and arts organizations in Erie, Warren, Crawford, Mercer, Venango, and Lawrence Counties.
For years after Erie Arts and Culture expanded its footprint, it struggled to equitably spread resources to its new, rural counties. EAC’s location in the City of Erie created strong relationships within the downtown core. Despite efforts to reach more partners throughout the region, EAC's small staff size hindered its ability to identify and engage more artists and organizations.
Today, relationship building is at the core of Erie Arts and Culture’s work, with more services reaching arts and culture communities across NWPA than ever before. Erie Arts & Culture administers grants to Erie County artists and arts organizations through donor-designated funds of the Erie Arts Endowment, and regrants state dollars from the PCA across all six counties in NWPA through the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts partnership.
Our Commitment to Equity
Erie Arts and Culture sees equitable engagement and resource allocation as a core value that informs every area of its work. EAC is committed to listening to the NWPA community to intentionally embed equity into its programming and processes, with full awareness that equitable allocation of resources is an ongoing responsibility to the community that will require EAC’s approach to change over time.
EAC defines diversity as all residents of and visitors to NWPA, regardless of race or ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geographic location, gender, ability, academic background, or any other consideration, have opportunities to engage with Erie Arts & Culture’s programming and staff.
EAC recognizes the shortcomings of a “one-size-fits-all” approach and employs different levels of support to ensure fairness in the equitable allocation of its resources.
More than simply numerical representation, EAC defines inclusion as authentic relationship building and empowered participation across differences, with the goal that all of NWPA’s communities feel a true sense of belonging within EAC.
To EAC, accessibility means providing resources, support, and necessary accommodations so all participants in EAC’s programs benefit.
Equity Commintment in Action
Erie Arts and Culture is dedicated to serving NWPA’s communities by:
Ensuring the stakeholders it surveys represent diverse geographic areas, artistic disciplines, organizations, and backgrounds to inform the direction of all strategic plans.
Supporting its current stakeholders with quality resources and programming while making a concerted effort to engage communities of artists and organizations who have never received EAC support, or have received limited support.
This includes but is not limited to BIPOC artists and BIPOC-serving arts organizations, grassroots organizations, culture bearers and their organizations, and organizations located in and serving rural communities.
Ensuring all grantees, both individual artists and organizations, align with EAC’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
Equitable Outcomes - EAC supports efforts with equitable goals that are informed by a deep understanding of the communities to be served
Cultural Integrity - when relevant, organizations and individuals seeking EAC support demonstrate ethical use of material with specific cultural origins and context
Relationship Building - EAC leads by example and empowers arts organizations to meaningfully engage with the communities they wish to serve
Identifying, engaging, and maintaining relationships with artists and organizations through site visits, one on one meetings, and group outreach.
Providing referrals to relevant internal and external resources so artists and organizations can reach their goals.
Seeking opportunities to add or adapt programming, where appropriate, to meet the changing needs of NWPA’s communities.
Erie Arts and Culture will use these parameters, and those defined through its 2024 strategic planning process, to create an action plan that intentionally and equitably expands engagement efforts throughout NWPA over the next 3 years.
Our Strategic Plan
Erie Arts and Culture is proud to present our 2024-2027 Strategic Plan, designed to refine who we are, what we do, and how we do it. This plan sets clear goals for the next three years, ensuring our organization continues to thrive and make a significant impact in Northwestern Pennsylvania.
Impact: Our strategic plan provides a clear vision for the future of Erie Arts and Culture. By outlining our priorities and setting achievable goals, we aim to enhance our programs and services, engage more deeply with our community, and build a greater appreciation for the arts throughout the region.
View the Full Plan: Discover our roadmap for the next three years by viewing the full strategic plan. Click the button below to access the digital booklet on Issuu and learn more about our vision and goals.
Feel free to reach out to us for more information or with any questions about our strategic plan and its implementation.
our Programs
Erie Arts and Culture offers a diverse range of programs designed to enrich our community through the arts and humanities. We focus on three main areas, each dedicated to fostering creativity, education, and cultural heritage. Our initiatives support both individuals and organizations, ensuring broad opportunities for engagement and development.
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Arts Education
We provide impactful arts education experiences for learners of all ages, integrating arts into educational settings to inspire creativity, critical thinking, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts.
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Arts, Culture, and Creative Entrepreneurship
Empowering artists and creative entrepreneurs through grants, workshops, and resources, we support the development of creative industries and cultural initiatives that drive innovation and economic growth.
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Folk and Traditional Arts
Celebrating and preserving the rich cultural heritage of our region, we support traditional artists and cultural practitioners through apprenticeships, events, and documentation projects.
Get Involved
Making a difference never felt so good.
Whether you’re interested in volunteering at events, participating in workshops, or contributing to our programs through donations, there are numerous ways to support the work Erie Arts and Culture is doing in Northwestern Pennsylvania. Contact us to explore opportunities to engage with us and help foster a vibrant, creative community.
