Thanks so much to the Department of Commerce for honoring World Cafe Live with a Creative Economy ‘Making Space Award’ and recognizing the part we played in getting the Save Our Stages act passed through Congress. Co-founded and organized by several WCL leaders, NIVA united venues, musicians, promoters, and supporters across the country to work tirelessly to keep our stages afloat through the pandemic and we’re here today as an independent venue because of this solidarity. Read more from the City of Philadelphia below.
The Department of Commerce is pleased to announce recognition awards to artists, task force members and organizations growing the creative economy in Philadelphia. These awards were presented last week during the Inaugural Forum for the Creative Economy and Arts in Education Month Event on Friday, March 31. Over 150 community members came together to celebrate and recognize the abundant efforts to advance arts in education and the creative economy throughout Philadelphia. The Inaugural Forum also featured live performances, servings from local chefs and a forum around the importance of financial assistance for creatives in Philadelphia. Event photos are now available.
“Philadelphia is where creative, determined and collaborative people come to live, work, play and make their marks. Philadelphia’s diverse population of talented, innovative people grow our vibrant creative economy — with passion and a spirit of invention,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “Events like the Inaugural Forum for the Creative Economy and Arts in Education Month help build long-lasting connections for creatives of today and tomorrow. Our Administration is proud of and dedicated to recognizing the tremendous accomplishments of our arts, culture, and creative industries that uplift the quality of life in our great city.”
“Artists, cultural nonprofits, and creative businesses produce goods and services that generate jobs, revenue, and quality of life in Philadelphia,” said Anne Nadol, Commerce Director. “We encourage everyone to be aware of the tremendous positive impact of the creative economy and arts in education that benefits individuals, organizations, entrepreneurs, and our local, regional economy. The Department of Commerce is honored to recognize these incredible efforts during the Inaugural Forum for the Creative Economy and Arts in Education Month. The goal is to continue investing in local artists, creatives, businesses and the bright future of our city.”
“The City’s Department of Commerce has an unwavering commitment to helping creatives and entrepreneurs reach their highest potential. We also celebrate our young vibrant learners in neighborhoods across the city who sparkle with imagination, talent, and creativity in their daily lives,” said Sophie Heng, Director of Creative Economy Initiatives, Office of Business Development and Workforce Solutions. “The Inaugural Forum for the Creative Economy and Arts in Education is an important milestone as we continue to celebrate, advocate and support creatives of all ages in our city. As we build on this work, we are pleased to share that we will soon be launching the Philly Youth Creates Seed Fund Challenge open to Philadelphia high school students. The Seed Fund Challenge will be an opportunity for students to pitch their business plans and compete for seed capital to launch and/or expand viable creative businesses.”
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“As artists, we can lead the way because we are not boxed in by conventional thinking. It is really important for the city to recognize the contributions of artists, because we are people who define the soul of Philadelphia. Great to see so many of us be recognized during the Inaugural Forum for the Creative Economy and Arts in Education Month event,” said Michael Fichman, DJ, Producer and Chair of Nightlife of the Arts and Culture Task Force. “I was very excited to see Kerri Park and World Cafe Live get their recognitions for creating the national independent venue association right here in Philadelphia while lobbying Congress to save live music across the country. The mutual respect that artists and the City have after everything our communities have been through the last several years is great to witness.”
