Over $1 million worth of grants has been recently awarded to Greater Philadelphia’s BIPOC creative community through Philadelphia’s Cultural Treasures Program. Ten of the 39 grants are going to West Philly based artists and art organizations: Arts Without Boundaries, jaamil olawale kosoko, Linda Fernandez, One Art Community Center, Selina Morales, Sherman Fleming, Tania Isaac, Theatre in the X, Val Gay, and Xenia Matthews.

Philadelphia’s Cultural Treasures grants are administered in flat amounts of $10,000, $25,000, and $50,000 and will fund new performances, exhibitions, films, community-engaged public art, and help strengthen long-term organizational success. Here are some of the projects that these grants will support.

Arts Without Boundaries will utilize their grant to create a community theater program in West Philadelphia for children ages 6 to 13.

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The annual community art project, Fun-A-Day, is celebrating its 20th anniversary next month and inviting community members to participate in the 2024 project and art show.

Community members are encouraged to pick a creative project or activity to do every day during the month of January, then display their work in a big group art show at Studio 34 Yoga in February!

“You can do anything! Draw a picture, take a photo, sing a song, bake a cake, write a novel – come up with a daily creative practice and HAVE FUN!” reads the project description.

The Fun-A-Day project and art show is free, non-juried, non-commercial, and all-ages. All skill levels and mediums are welcome.

The project starts on January 1, 2024. The Fun-A-Day Community Art Show will take place on Friday, Feb. 9 and Saturday, Feb. 10 at Studio 34 Yoga (4522 Baltimore Ave).

Fun-A-Day was started by a group of artists known as the Artclash Collective in West Philadelphia and has spread to other cities throughout the world!

For more details and to sign up, visit artclash.com.

Here’s a free and fun program for teens who want to explore their creative side. Curio Theatre Company is currently recruiting new students to their award winning program, CuriosiTeens.

This program is the perfect opportunity to discover your passion for the arts. Teens ages 13 to 18 are invited to come hang out with Curio Theatre folks on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and make unforgettable memories. The first session is this Saturday, Dec. 16.

If you are interested to join the program please call at 215-921-8243 to learn more.

Curio Theatre is located at 4740 Baltimore Avenue at the Calvary Center for Culture and Community.

For more information about Curio Theatre Company and it events and programs, visit: http://www.curiotheatre.org.

(Photo courtesy of Curio Theatre)

UPDATE (11/30/2023): Curio is inviting kids to their dress rehearsal on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m. FREE of charge. Please call 215-921-8243 for reservations as space is limited. The show lasts approximately one hour including the immersive “Fab Lab” portion. All children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Also, please note that there will be photos taken for social media. 

Next month, Curio Theatre Company will present something unusual and innovative. Families are invited to take part in the  immersive theatre program –  Makerspace. The first play in this new program, Jack and the Beanstalk, will stage December 9-30, with previews taking place December 6, 7 and 8.

Here’s how it works:

Children who arrive to see a performance will have the opportunity to “make theatre” – create props, set pieces and voice recordings. They will even color a large cow on wheels! All these things will then be part of the show. Curio Theatre Company believes that “all children benefit not from just watching plays, but from making art.”

This event is fun for the whole family and people of all ages (3 to 99) are invited.

The play is written by Paul Kuhn and directed by Mya Flood. Performances begin at 2 p.m. except for the preview shows (6:30 p.m.)

Tickets are $15-$20 for adults and $10-$15 for children. Curio Theatre is located at the Calvary Center for Culture and Community (48th and Baltimore). For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

Another great West Philly tradition, the Peoplehood Parade & Pageant, is returning Saturday, Oct. 28. The event was postponed by one week due to rain last Saturday. As always, the parade will feature giant puppets, created by Spiral Q artists and community volunteers. Here are some more details about this year’s event.

The line-up begins at Noon near The Paul Robeson House (50th and Walnut). The parade departs at 1 p.m. and proceeds to Clark Park at 45th and Kingsessing (see the map below), where performances will take place starting at approximately 2:15 p.m.

The family-friendy event, which promotes diversity, civic engagement and creativity, has been held since late 1990’s. Besides giant puppets, it features drumlines and banners. Last year, 43 community groups and over 600 people joined the parade and celebration, according to the longtime event organizer, Spiral Q, a West Philly-based arts organization.

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After taking a break in the spring, the popular West Philly event celebrating local artists and crafters, is set to return this Saturday (Sept. 30). West Craft Fest’s Fall edition will be held at The Woodlands (40th and Woodland) from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and feature dozens of vendors offering unique handmade items for sale, such as jewelry, ceramics, art prints, stationery, clothing, candles, soaps, skin care, home wares, baby gifts, and much more. The full vendor list is available here.

The event also features live music performances, food trucks, crafts to make and take, and favorite aerial performances by Tangle Movement Arts.

Here’s the entertainment schedule:

11:30 a.m.: Sing Slavic

1 p.m.: Ash Phillips (solo singer/songwriter/guitarist)

2:30 p.m.: Tangle Movement Arts

4 p.m.: Mad Beatz Philly

The event is free and open to the public. The Woodlands will be accepting donations ($1-$5) at the entrance that will help them host events like this and also maintain the historic grounds open daily all year round.

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