PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia Cultural Treasures, a regional effort of the Ford Foundation’s America’s National Treasures initiative to fund arts and culture organizations nationwide, announced its third round of artist fellowships, awarding 11 Philadelphia BIPOC artists with grants from a pot of $1.1 million.
One of those artists is Alex Shaw, an independent performer, musician, composer and arts educator. He said he’s humbled to be included in this year’s cohort of recipients.
“These are people that I have respected in the Philadelphia community for so long that to be in that same tier for me has just been incredibly affirming,” he said.
His plans for the $120,000 he’s received? Shaw said he plans to both secure his own financial future and continue to support further artistic endeavors.
Of his many crafts, Shaw’s specialties are spoken hand percussion and Capoeira Angola, an Afro-Brazilian martial art that he’s practiced for more than 25 years.
He said his work, like that of many BIPOC artists, is not just about elevating themselves as artists, but also bringing a social message.
“Social justice efforts, strengthening community relationships, furthering the sort of intergenerational teaching and lineages of cultural knowledge that get passed down through these practices,” said Shaw.
Lindsey Tucker, the senior program officer of the William Penn Foundation’s Arts and Culture Program, said a goal of funders is to put diverse artists at the forefront.
“We’re really excited to continue to prioritize them,” she said.
That comes especially as the arts world continues its long recovery from the pandemic, where Tucker said BIPOC communities showed strength.
“The support and the recovery and the resilience of BIPOC artists and cultural groups has been something that's really of note, and we really wanted to contribute and support these artists and the organizations,” said Tucker.
Philadelphia’s Cultural Treasures began awarding fellowships in 2022.