March 27, 2026

Launched in November 2024 by the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, in partnership with PA Humanities, Drexel University’s Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, and Creative Philadelphia, Cultural Dynamics is a collaborative, community-driven effort to shape Philadelphia’s first Cultural Plan. The process convened artists, cultural workers, institutions, funders, residents, and civic partners to understand what Philadelphia’s cultural sector needs to thrive—and to mobilize the community toward collective action.

The effort kicked off with a citywide convening in November 2024 hosted at Drexel University, featuring former NEA Chair Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson. The research effort, led by Drexel faculty Julie Goodman and Andrew Zitcer, included 500+ total participants representing arts, culture, humanities, education, civic sectors, and neighborhoods citywide, four Community Conversations held across Philadelphia in partnership with Ensemble Arts Philly (Center City), the Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection at Temple University (North Philadelphia), FringeArts (South Philadelphia), and the Institute of Contemporary Art of University of Pennsylvania (West Philadelphia), one virtual Cultural Dynamics Insight Session to validate and refine findings, and 114 narrative responses to a sector-wide online survey, resulting in 6,000+ coded statements gathered from transcripts and surveys.

From the research, six core themes emerged to reflect the current needs and aspirations of Philadelphia’s cultural community, highlighting opportunities to build a more connected, equitable, and sustainable cultural ecosystem. These themes point to clear priorities—such as improving access to space, advancing fair pay, expanding funding pathways, and strengthening collaboration and advocacy—and call on civic leaders, cultural organizations, funders, businesses, and residents to work together.