Democratic Lawmakers Host Hearing on the Impact of COVID-19 on the Arts, Cultural, and Historical Institutions of PA 

Harrisburg – September 14, 2020 – The Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a virtual public hearing to focus on issues impacting the arts, cultural and historical institutions across Pennsylvania.

“COVID-19 has impacted every aspect of our lives, and that includes those folks in the arts, and those who work tirelessly to preserve the expansive history and culture across our state,” said Senate Democratic Leader, Jay Costa (D- Allegheny). “This is not just about the arts and institutions in our big cities like Pittsburgh, Philly, and Erie. This is about preserving these institutions in all our communities.”

“It is imperative that we as lawmakers do all we can to help every industry in Pennsylvania make its way through this dual-threat of public fears about COVID-19 and government directives aimed at encouraging social distancing,” said Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh/Northampton), chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee. 

Pennsylvania has had over 140,000 positive cases of COVID-19, and there have been almost 8,000 deaths attributed to the virus. Medical experts have advised that mitigation measures, like proper social distancing and mask wearing, are the best defense against COVID-19 — and will save lives.

Many theaters, museums and cultural centers in Pennsylvania were forced to close their doors when the statewide stay-at-home order was put into place by Governor Tom Wolf in April. As the restrictions eased from Red, to Yellow, to Green, there are have been easements to limitations, but many institutions are still struggling to make ends meet and properly adhere to proper social distance and precaution guidelines.

“Pennsylvania has such a rich history of preserving the story of our nation and fostering art and culture along the way,” said Sen. Larry Farnese (D- Philadelphia). “Necessary closures due to COVID-19 have devastated the historical tourist and world-renowned cultural institutions in my district. Those who work in these fields deserve a just recovery too.”

Governor Tom Wolf allocated $2.3 million of federal CARES Act money to go towards grants for those in the artistic, cultural and historic preservation communities to support staff salaries, fees for artists or contractual personnel, and facilities costs. Announcements for the recipients of these grants will be released tomorrow, Sept. 14, 2020.

James Cuorato, President & CEO, Independence Visitor Center Corporation in Philadelphia said that his organization has already submitted an application to the Commonwealth’s Cultural and Museum Preservation Grant Program. “If successful, it will enable us to continue operations and serve our community.  I commend the Wolf Administration for recognizing the dire needs of nonprofit-run attractions such as ours and designing a program to get us through these extraordinarily tough times.”

The U.S. Dept. of Commerce estimates that arts and cultural economic activity, adjusted for inflation, accounted for 4.5 percent of gross domestic product or $877.8 billion in 2017. In Pennsylvania, the sector contributed $25.8 billion to the state’s economy and employed 176,000 workers.

“Annually, the Kimmel Center welcomes over 1.2 million visitors and generates $585 million in regional economic impact. Last year, our operations generated $7.1 million in city tax revenue and $6.8 million in state tax revenue,” said Stan Applegate, Executive Vice President & CFO, Kimmel Center, Inc. “We have been the grateful recipient of various Commonwealth grants since the Kimmel Center’s inception, and we are proud to report that for every dollar the Commonwealth invested in the Kimmel Center, it has earned back approximately $2.15. We support 5,000 jobs annually, and each month the Campus remains closed puts 2,380 jobs and $5.3 million in household income at risk.”

Applegate said that the Kimmel Center is projected to lose $29 million dollars in gross revenue through December 31st, with the potential loss of $51 million if we remain closed through our fiscal year, ending June 30th, 2021.

Gail Harrity, President & COO, Philadelphia Museum of Art, said that despite the museum’s best attempt to maintain their operations and full staff. In July, the Philadelphia Art Museum had to reduce staff by 23% – 85 staff, 56 who held part-time positions and 25 staff who held full-time positions. This is after substantial salary reductions, the cancelation of exhibitions, programs and other cuts to non-compensation expenses at the museum.

Harrity also said that the American Association of Museums published a survey in July suggesting that a third of the nation’s museums – 12,000 institutions – might not survive the pandemic and its aftermath.

“In its nearly 150-year history, the Philadelphia Museum of Art has survived financial collapses, wars, pandemics and other catastrophic events. While COVID-19 has drastically changed the way that we operate, our staff, trustees and volunteers remain committed to stewarding our world-class collections and landmark building through these current challenging times,” said Harrity. “As has been critical to the museum’s survival in the past, the public-private partnership and support of elected and civic leaders at the city, state and federal levels is necessary to keeping the museum afloat.”

Applegate, of the Kimmel Center, also said that his organization was very grateful for the passage of House Bill 2484, which allows organizations to take out up to 10% of their annual endowment, as opposed to the previous limit of 7% annually. 

Boscola said that while state law has been amended to allow arts institutions like the Kimmel Center the and the Philadelphia Art Museum to tap into more of their endowment funds to make ends meet, this has not always been enough to save jobs, and will impact these institutions into the future.

Alex Fraser, Producing Director at Bucks County Playhouse, said that he was very grateful to be a part of hearing, and to his state Senator, Steve Santarsiero (D- Bucks), for participating in the hearing and advocating for their Bucks County community.

“Financially, we’re looking at a loss of $5 million of revenue for 2019 and have cut our full-time staff from almost 60 to 28, most of whom are running our restaurant. Our monthly payroll in July 2019 was $196,000; this July it was down 75% to $46,000,” said Fraser. “I am proud to say we are half-way there, but we have still have mountains to climb.”

The following testified at today’s hearing:

  • James J. Cuorato, President & CEO, Independence Visitor Center Corporation
  • Gail Harrity, President & COO, Philadelphia Museum of Art Stan Applegate, Executive Vice President & CFO, Kimmel Center, Inc.
  • Matías Tarnopolsky, President & CEO, The Philadelphia Orchestra
  • Denise Smith, Vice President of Development, State Theatre Kassie Hilgert, President & CEO, ArtsQuest
  • Jeanne Ruddy, Executive Director, Performance Garage
  • Jenny Hershour, Managing Director, Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania
  • Mitch Swain, CEO, Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council
  • Melia Tourangeau, President & CEO, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
  • Sara Jane (Sally) Elk, President & CEO, Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site
  • Kyle McKoy, President & CEO, Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle
  • Alexander Fraser, Producing Director, Bucks County Playhouse

Senators Sharif Street (D- Philadelphia) and Lindsey Williams (D- Allegheny) also participated in today’s hearing.

The Senate Democratic Policy Committee has already held many hearings related to COVID-19, including the status of restaurants during COVID-19, the reopening of schools, the impact on nursing and veterans homes, food supply chain disruptions, the disproportionate effect of COVID-19 on the African American Community, maternal mortality during COVID-19, pandemic-related funding for childcare centers, and assuring that protective equipment and other support is accessible for all frontline workers.

A full recording of this hearing, and links to all previous hearings, are available at senatorboscola.com/policy.

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State Senate Roundtable in Pittsburgh Focuses on Integrating Arts into Math and Science Curricula

Pittsburgh – November 5, 2015 – At the request of state Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a roundtable discussion in Pittsburgh on integrating arts education into science and technology curricula.

“Mixing arts into science and math instruction adds balance and inspires a creative approach that has produced significant scientific and technological advances over the years,” Costa said. “I hope we can find ways to strengthen science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) pursuits by integrating arts instruction.”

Senator Lisa M. Boscola (D-Northampton/Lehigh), who chairs the committee, added, “Artistic and creative thinking have gone hand and hand with many of the greatest technological advances in human history. Arts add creativity, balance and a very human purpose and passion to technological pursuits.”

The lawmakers noted that the arts can be used as a diverse multi-disciplinary learning tool, and provides greater access to the STEM fields for all types of learners.

State Secretary of Labor and Industry Kathy Manderino emphasized that the Wolf Administration’s focus on “sustainable workforce development doesn’t start after education. It starts with education.”

Dr. Michael Self, Dean of Academic Affairs at the Community College of Allegheny County, added that discussions about integrating arts are “critical toward providing students additional pathways from education to a good job.” He also urged that schools work more toward educating students and parents about the value of arts as an educational component.

Shaun Tomaszewski, who serves as STEAM coordinator for the Pittsburgh Public Schools, told the panel of lawmakers that educators and administrators need to overcome “practical hurdles” such as integrating arts principles into science and math instruction, but also work on issues such as accrediting courses, meshing the instruction with curriculum and graduation requirements and certifying STEAM teachers as the program expands into more high schools.

Boscola said employers, such as the University of Pittsburgh’s Medical Center, are hiring more and more artistic people with backgrounds in visual communication and design to work with clinicians and software experts on innovative and broad-based solutions.

Pointing to a Georgetown study showing that 65 percent of those with Bachelors’ degrees in STEM fields earn more than Master’s degrees in non-STEM occupations, Costa said he understands why more and more students are pursuing science and high-tech degrees. However, he added that integrating an arts component could strengthen and diversify capability and add a creative approach to solving problems.

Boscola added that exposure to the arts “strengthens a student’s creativity, broadens their horizons, and instills the ability and courage to think out of the box. Our educational leaders should never lose sight of the indelible link between artistic expression and scientific advancement.”

Joining Costa and Boscola for today’s roundtable discussion at the IBEW training facility were Sens. Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny), John Blake (D-Lackawanna), and Sean Wiley (D-Erie).

The following also took part in the discussion:

  • Kathy Manderino, Secretary of the state Department of Labor and Industry
  • Dr. David Pankratz, Research & Policy Director, Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council
  • Alan Johnson, Superintendent, Woodland Hills School District
  • Alison Kline, Principal, Woodland Hills Intermediate Center
  • Dr. Michael Self, Dean of Academic Affairs, Community College of Allegheny County
  • Ms. Theresa Bryant, Vice President of Workforce Development, Community College of Allegheny County
  • Jessica Trybus, CEO, SimCoach Games, and Special Faculty at the Entertainment Technology Center (ETC) of CMU
  • Paul Reinert, Training Director, IBEW Local Union No. 5 Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee
  • Shaun Tomaszewski, Coordinator of STEAM Education, Pittsburgh Public Schools
  • Alex Halper, Director, Government Affairs, PA Chamber of Business and Industry
  • Ramera Powell, 8th grade student, Woodland Hills Academy
  • Venneasha Davis, teacher, Woodland Hills Academy

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Study Details Arts Contribution to Economy and Job Creation, Costa Says

HARRISBURG – October 16, 2012 – Calling the arts “an essential part of the fabric of Pennsylvania,” state Sen. Jay Costa said today that investing in arts is prudent because there is a discernible job creation and economic return.

“The arts represent a significant economic boost and a job creation tool,” Costa said at a news conference held in the state Capitol by Citizens for the Arts. “I have supported the arts for many years as a member of the Council on the Arts and on the boards of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Civic Light Orchestra so I know how important the arts are to the quality of life and marketability of a region.”

The media event was called to detail the economic impact of the arts. The Arts and Economic Prosperity study by the Americans for the Arts drew a direct correlation between investment in the arts and job creation and economic growth.

According to the study, the arts generate $2.55 billion in total economic activity and $1.8 billion in household income to local residents and support more than 81,000 full-time equivalent jobs. The arts deliver $360 million in local and state government revenue.

The Democratic leader also announced that he is going to form a bipartisan, bicameral arts and culture caucus in the General Assembly that will support the arts through the budget process among other things.

“The arts community is an essential part of the fabric of Pennsylvania – both economically and culturally – and we will continue to find ways to support it in the General Assembly,” Costa said.

The Forest Hills lawmaker also said that involvement in the arts also has a measurable education component.

Costa cited statistics indicating that students who take four years of music and art score 102 points better on their college entrance exams. Students with four years of art and music averaged 40 points higher on the written portion of their SATs than students with half a year or less.

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Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council’s Legislative Meet & Greet Breakfast

 
Sen. Costa addressing audience

Sen. Costa addresses the audience gathered for the "Legislative Meet & Greet Breakfast" held by the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts in Shadyside.

 

Group photo with mock check

Sen. Costa was joined by Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council Board Chairman Bill Bodine (left, back row) of the Frick Art and Historical Center and some of the constituents of the 43rd Senatorial District who received funding from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts this year.

Senator Costa with Patricia Penka French

Patricia Penka French, board president of the Bulgarian Macedonian National Educational and Cultural Center, chats with Sen. Costa.

Senator Costa at microphone
Sen. Costa explains to the audience that the arts impact Pennsylvania’s economy in a substantial way, providing nearly 62,000 full-time equivalent jobs in the arts industry in Pennsylvania.