Explore Connections
The Center's newest grant recipients are telling compelling stories on stages, paying homage to musical innovators, taking art beyond gallery walls, and offering perspectives on America's 250th anniversary.
In this year's spotlight video, we get to know some of the 44 artists and organizations who make up our 2025 cohort of grantees. They discuss Philadelphia’s unique creative spirit, share aspirations to take their work in bold new directions, and speak on the importance of making art that engages with and reflects communities.
“This is a really important time for us to create projects that bring people together,” says Alba Martínez, the playwright of La Guagua 47, which will premiere at Philadelphia Theatre Company.
Six of our newest grantees will produce projects that examine the nation’s semiquincentennial celebration through the lens of Philadelphia, such as the documentary series In Pursuit, by History Making Productions. “Our goal was to raise Philadelphians’ awareness of the city’s history, to help people...see themselves in the city’s history,” says director Andrew Ferrett.
Many of the grantees interviewed spoke of the broad impact that the funding has on their work. “The Center’s support has really let us dream big for this,” says Lisa Platow of Museum of Music Technology / EMEAPP, which will mount an exhibition on synth pioneer Don Buchla in late 2026.
“It’s life-changing,” says Pew Fellow and writer Emma Copley Eisenberg. “It’s a year to make art the way I want to make it.”
This video made its debut at the Center's grantee celebration event at the Barnes Foundation on Monday, February 9th, 2026. Watch this space for photos and additional coverage from the event.
