Pennsylvania Creative Industries

31/10/2026

November starts on a high note! 🎷🎵🎶

Tomorrow, PA250: “Our Jazz Story” hits the road for a historic five-city tour across the Commonwealth - presented by the PA Jazz Alliance, in partnership with Pennsylvania Creative Industries and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Join the Keystone Jazz Orchestra, directed by Maestro Marko Marcinko, as they bring legendary jazz icons to life through live music, historic visuals, and narration from state representatives like Creative Industries legislative council member Rep. Joe Ciresi. Enjoy this preview performance from the NEA National Council on the Arts public meeting earlier this week.

The 18-piece, all-star ensemble includes Marcinko on drums; Nelson Hill, Chris Oatts, Chris Farr, Jason Kush, and Rick Matt on saxophone; Eddie Severn, Andy Gravish, Ed Jakuboski, and Mike Burton on trumpet; Bill Smith, Reggie Watkins, Stafford Hunter, and Mark Lusk on trombone; Steve Rudolph on piano; Paul Rostock on bass; Marty Ashby on guitar; and Amy Banks on vocals. ✨

Be sure to catch a show on the tour:
📍 Nov. 1: Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center at Mercyhurst University, Erie
📍 Nov. 5: Lower Moreland High Huntingdon Valley
📍 Nov. 6: Lemmond Theater, Misericordia University, Dallas
📍 Nov. 9: Hershey Middle School, Hershey
📍 Nov. 17: The Manchester Craftsman’s Guild MCG Youth Pittsburgh

Purchase tickets and find more details at pajazzalliance.com.

30/10/2026

It was a picture-perfect day to celebrate the arts! 📸🌞🎨

We were proud to join the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) yesterday for the 220th meeting of the National Council on the Arts (NCA) in our nation’s birthplace, at the spectacular Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. ✨

Pennsylvania Creative Industries Chief Strategy Officer Jamie Dunlap teamed up with staff from Creative Philadelphia, Mid Atlantic Arts, and the NEA to share valuable grant and funding information with artists, creatives, and organizations.

NEA staff explored Arts Endowment-supported projects commemorating America’s 250th birthday, including PA250: “Our Jazz Story,” a five-city jazz tour featuring musicians across , in partnership with Pennsylvania Creative Industries and the PA Jazz Alliance. The meeting showcased an exciting preview by the Keystone Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Marko Marcinko, before the tour kicks off this Sunday, November 1 at Mercyhurst University, Erie.

Learn more at pajazzalliance.com/pa250.

To watch a recording of the NEA’s NCA meeting and the PA250: "Our Jazz Story" preview, visit arts.gov/news/events/national-council-arts-public-meeting-philadelphia.

29/10/2026

How can growth capital drive lasting community impact for Pennsylvania’s creative enterprises? 🎨📈

Qualified non-profits and universities are invited to partner with Pennsylvania Creative Industries to conduct a groundbreaking, statewide impact investment research study for our creative sector. 💻

You can lead the effort to map PA’s funding landscape, identify investment opportunities, and develop data-driven strategies to connect creative small businesses with growth capital that yields both social and financial returns.

Submit your proposals for this up to $150,000 grant opportunity by November 27. (Note: Applicants must contact staff prior to submitting.)

Review the RFP and submission guidelines at pa.gov/agencies/coa/funding/additional-opportunities.

28/10/2026

28/10/2026

Want to submit your strongest Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator (CEA) application possible? Start with an info session! 🎨✨

Join Bridgeway Capital for a series of upcoming virtual and in-person information sessions across Pennsylvania. Whether you’re eyeing a Growth Grant (up to $4,000) or an Impact Grant (up to $17,000), these workshops will help you prepare a strong, competitive application for the CEA program.

Applications are due by December 31. Funding is limited and competitive!

Attend a session to get key insights on:
✅ Eligibility & application requirements
✅ How funds can be used to grow your business
✅ Tips for preparing a standout, competitive application
✅ Live answers to all your questions

👉 Find workshop dates and details at keystonecreatives.org.

Keystone Creatives strengthens Pennsylvania’s creative economy, expanding access to capital and business support for creative entrepreneurs.

27/10/2026

A new poetry release honors a beloved literary voice!

Published posthumously by Ohio University Press & Swallow Press, "Going Across the Water: New and Selected Poems" celebrates the powerful writing of the late Pennsylvania writer and longtime Kutztown University of Pennsylvania professor Harry Humes.

This collection of his poetry highlights his remarkable literary life shaped by the landscape and supported by four Pennsylvania Council on the Arts grants he received during his lifetime. 💗

Grab your copy today and save the date for a special celebration of Humes' collection and a book reading on November 5 from 6 to 8 P.M. at the KU Campus Store! 📚✨

21/10/2026

We look forward to joining the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in next week for the 220th meeting of the National Council on the Arts (NCA)!

Focusing on Arts Endowment-supported projects and initiatives honoring America’s 250th anniversary, this year’s meeting will be held at the beautiful Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, October 29 at 11 A.M. The event is free and open to the public.

We are proud to preview PA250: “Our Jazz Story,” a five-city jazz tour, in partnership with PA Jazz Alliance and the NEA at the meeting. Featuring the Keystone Jazz Orchestra, directed by Maestro Marko Marcinko, the historic tour brings jazz legends to life with performance, narration, and visuals.

Prior to the NCA meeting, Pennsylvania Creative Industries’ Jamie Dunlap will participate in a grants workshop alongside Creative Philadelphia and Mid Atlantic Arts staff.

▶ Learn more, reserve your seat, and register for the grants workshop: https://bit.ly/4z13oiD
💻 The meeting will also be available through a live webcast at arts.gov.

20/10/2026

Help shape the future of PA’s creative economy! 🎉

Eligible non-profit CDFIs (community development financial institutions) are invited to partner with Pennsylvania Creative Industries to support small creative enterprise across southeast and northeast Pennsylvania. 🎨

You can help bring affordable loans and technical assistance to small businesses in design, media, visual arts, music, publishing, and more!

Apply to become a Regional Program Administer for the Creative Business Loan Fund by October 30.

Find the RFP (request for proposals) and application guidelines at
pa.gov/agencies/coa/funding/additional-opportunities.

08/10/2026

Consider boosting your multi-partner, community-focused work with state investment via the Local Share Account (LSA)! 🙌

This funding source—available through the distribution of Act 71 resources—supports public interest initiatives that improve local quality of life in .

Eligible applicants include local governments, municipal authorities, economic development agencies, land banks, councils of government, and nonprofit organizations. Funding amounts, specific uses, and eligibility vary by county and project requirements.

Review your county’s specific program guidelines to see how your organization can apply!
➡ https://dced.pa.gov/.../business.../local-share-account-lsa/

📸 Photograph: First Friday in Old City, , by Bob Krist

06/10/2026

Celebrate Pennsylvania’s rich jazz history! 🎷✨

The PA Jazz Alliance, in partnership with Pennsylvania Creative Industries and the National Endowment for the Arts, presents PA250: “Our Jazz Story.” Featuring the Keystone Jazz Orchestra, directed by Maestro Marko Marcinko, this historic five-city tour brings jazz legends like John Coltrane and Billie Holiday to life with live performance, historical narration, and stunning visuals.

The 18-piece, all-star ensemble includes Marcinko on drums; Nelson Hill, Chris Oatts, Chris Farr, Jason Kush, and Rick Matt on saxophone; Eddie Severn, Andy Gravish, Ed Jakuboski, and Mike Burton on trumpet; Bill Smith, Reggie Watkins, Stafford Hunter, and Mark Lusk on trombone; Steve Rudolph on piano; Paul Rostock on bass; Marty Ashby on guitar; and Amy Banks on vocals.

Catch the tour across the Commonwealth this November:
📍 Nov. 1: Mercyhurst University, Erie
📍 Nov. 5: Lower Moreland High School, Huntingdon Valley
📍 Nov. 6: Lemmond Theater, Misericordia University, Dallas
📍 Nov. 9: Hershey Middle School, Hershey
📍 Nov. 17: The Manchester Craftsman’s Guild, Pittsburgh

Tickets and performances times vary by venue. Visit www.pajazzalliance.com to secure your seats and celebrate PA jazz history!