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Powering the Arts 2026

Now Open: Applications for PECO’s 2026 Powering the Arts Grant

A partnership with Team Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Creative Industries to grow diverse arts audiences

PECO, Team Pennsylvania, and Pennsylvania Creative Industries are proud to launch the 2026 Powering the Arts Grant. This initiative supports nonprofit arts and culture organizations in southeastern Pennsylvania as they expand access to the arts and build meaningful connections with new and diverse audiences.

The application period is now open and will run through June 15, 2026. Grants of $5,000 will be awarded to eligible organizations to support planning or implementation projects focused on audience development.

The program is open to organizations located in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties, as well as select ZIP codes in York County: 17302, 17309, 17314, and 17321.

The Powering the Arts Grant supports organizations in better understanding their current audiences and developing strategies to reach new ones. For the purposes of this grant, “new audiences” may include individuals who differ from an organization’s current or typical audiences by factors such as age, ethnicity, geography, gender, ability, or other characteristics.


Applicants may apply for one of two funding tracks:

Planning Grants: Support activities such as audience research, strategy development, or evaluation of existing outreach plans.

Implementation Grants: Fund the execution of audience engagement strategies, including community programming, partnerships, and marketing efforts.

All funded activities must take place between September 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027.

A 1:1 match is required, with up to 50% of the match allowed as in-kind contributions

Examples of Eligible Projects Include:

  • Hiring consultants to assess and diversify audience engagement strategies
  • Creating new free public-facing programs for underserved communities
  • Partnering with other arts organizations or neighborhood groups
  • Removing barriers to participation (e.g., transportation or language)
  • Conducting marketing to reach new, diverse communities

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Powering the Arts Grant, applicants must:

  • Be a nonprofit arts organization, or a nonprofit community-based organization offering arts and culture programming
  • Have an annual operating budget of less than $2 million
  • Be located in one of the eligible counties or ZIP codes
  • Not be a school, college, university, government entity, or unincorporated organization

How to Apply

Before applying, applicants are encouraged to review the full eligibility criteria, funding priorities, and application content.

When you are ready to apply, visit the application portal here:

Note: All grantees must acknowledge support from PECO, Team Pennsylvania, and Pennsylvania Creative Industries in all promotional materials. Funded programs must also be open and accessible to the public.

The grant award announcements will be made in late August.