awards for arts achievement

Upon taking office in January 2008, Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter made a major commitment to arts, culture, and the creative economy. In his first approved budget as mayor, he doubled funding for the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, the primary city-funded competitive grantmaking program.

In addition, Mayor Nutter re-opened the city's Office of Arts and Culture—renamed the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy—and created a new cabinet-level position to lead it. He directed $500,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds to be used for a new Creative Industry Workforce Grants program, marking the first time Philadelphia HUD funds have been used for an arts-centric grant program. With his encouragement, the school district has committed to ensuring certified arts teachers are in every single school in the district.

Further, Mayor Nutter has used his remaining inauguration funds to support ArtsRising—a new citywide art education initiative. 

"Philadelphia's economic and cultural health feeds off the vibrancy of our local arts and culture sector," said Mayor Nutter. "On behalf of all Philadelphians, I want to thank Americans for the Arts for recognizing the strides made by our city in fostering an environment that creative professionals can thrive in, while giving back to our communities."