PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Artists across Philadelphia are being offered funding through a program created to address a financial gap in the city’s art scene.
The Black Music City program, created to narrow the funding gap for Black artists, is issuing a citywide call for artists across all genres to apply for its 2025 grant. Roger LaMay, general manager at WXPN, explained that the program aims to help Black artists, who have struggled to secure funding for their work.
“We said hey, artists are having a hard time finding funding to continue doing their work, especially Black artists,” LaMay said.
Black Music City grew out of a partnership with WXPN, WRTI, and RecPhilly during the pandemic and LaMay emphasized their commitment to expanding opportunities for Black artists.
In its first three years, the program awarded $263,000 in grants to 99 recipients.
“Fast forward we’re now in year 5 and we have a deadline coming up for applications on Feb. 3,” said LaMay.
This year, the program is awarding over $100,000 in grants. There are two goals for the program. The first is to ensure artists of color get the much-needed funding they need to continue their work. The second goal, LaMay said, is to pay tribute to the heritage and history of Black music in Philadelphia.
This year the program will fund at least 30 artists. Eligible artists must be based in the Philadelphia metropolitan area, which includes Philadelphia, South Jersey, and Delaware.
Grants will be awarded in three tiers: $1,500, $3,000, or $5,000. To qualify, the submitted project must creatively connect to Philadelphia’s Black music history.
“You can be a doll maker, a videographer, a musician, an artist — whatever it is as long as you have some person or theme in Philadelphia’s Black music history that you want to celebrate or document,” LaMay said.
And the culmination is a special nod to Black history.
“It all gets celebrated on Juneteenth here at World Cafe Live where people get to see your work,” he said.
To apply or learn more about Black Music City visit their official website.