We hope you are continuing to create, it’s necessary now more than ever. I wanted to provide a few updates in addition to our usual list of resources.

I’m sure you are aware that large cuts to arts and humanities funding have happened at the federal level. Our cultural organizations are working hard to mitigate these losses, as are we here at the Cultural Alliance. While I can’t speak for everyone, know that the Cultural Alliance has been diversifying the way we raise dollars for years so that we can continue our resources and support in the face of economic challenges. While there may be changes coming, we are not going anywhere, and do not anticipate feeling any major affects to our resources until Fall of 2026 at the earliest. We are always working on plan B, C, D, and E in the meantime so that we can continue to provide as much support to the creative sector as possible.

View a clip of us on WGAL talking about the funding cuts

The rest of this email contains new opportunities we know of from around the county on everything from small business basics/BLOOM resources, to events and a new residency to inspire artists and bring us all together a bit more. You’ll find a call for art for the Rainbow Rose Center, which is for a volunteer. We typically don’t use this space to share unpaid opportunities, however the Rainbow Rose Center is an ongoing partner of ours, so we hope you’ll excuse it just this once.

Lastly, our Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program has simply exploded over the course of this year. We are thrilled at the response, and are creating plans to be able to expand the funding for this program HOWEVER, at this moment, all of the funding available for this fiscal year has all been granted, and we need to wait until October when our next round of funds is provided to us from PCI (Pennsylvania Creative Industries, the PA state arts organization).

Here for any and all questions,
Rita Whitney
Impact Director, Cultural Alliance of York County

For Inspiration

Andy also curate art exhibits at the Old Post Office in Hanover.

Culture on the Line Website

• Upcoming BLOOM Education Programs (flyer & graphics attached) – Registration can be found here – www.bloomyork.org/education
• Financial Management: ABCs of 123s Class – held via Zoom on Tuesdays from 6-8pm starting July 29 through August 26
• Small Business Growth & Maintenance (in Spanish) Class – held at the YWCA York on Tuesdays from 6-8pm Sept. 2 through Sept. 29
• Events
• Save the Date for the BLOOM Annual Mixer & Networking Event on Tuesday, November 18 from 5-7pm at Keystone Kidspace!
• Keystone Merge https://www.keystonemerge.com/events
• August 7 – Pursuit Coworking, Harrisburg
• October 2 – The Grotto Community Center, York
• November 6 – The Candy Factory, Lancaster
• December 4 – Pursuit Coworking, Harrisburg

2025 Backing Small Businesses Grant Program – Main Street America & American Express

• Applications are now open for the broader round of the 2025 Backing Small Businesses grant program, supported by American Express. This nationwide initiative will award 400 grants of $10,000 to help locally significant small businesses overcome economic hardship, invest in growth, and make a meaningful impact in their communities.
• Applications are now open until Thursday, July 31 at 11:59 p.m. CT for eligible small business owners who demonstrate both economic need and a strong local footprint. Grants can be used for projects that support the growth of their businesses and deepen their impact within their communities.Click here for more information and the application

The Artist Residency is an 10-week program bringing adult artists of different backgrounds and mediums together to work on individual projects in a community atmosphere. Think: accountability, inspiration, and connection. Fellow student/professor feedback & creative workshop opportunities. Snacks and music and a giant wooden art table. People who care about their work as much as you do! The Artist Residency will be guided by Lizz Dawson and Vito Grippi.

Full description and application HERE

The Artist Residency is included in a series of new programs being powered by the Cultural Alliance as an investment into artists and creative entrepreneurs. Community, accountability, and opportunity have emerged as key needs of the South Central PA art community; in response, CAYC is partnering with organizations and creative leaders who have developed programming to meet these needs.

August 25th
Nude Session – With Background Set Up
Focus: seeing the figure and background as an entire composition. How do elements of the background echo the space the figure is in

Volunteer Opportunity