PA Humanities announced $1.4 million in recovery funds to 92 Pennsylvania organizations, including The Pennsbury Society, which received $16,000 to preserve the past, honor the present and shape the future of Pennsbury Manor, the colonial estate of Pennsylvania’s founder William Penn, located in Morrisville.
Called PA SHARP (Sustaining the Humanities through the American Rescue Plan), the initiative provides up to $20,000 in funding to strengthen and grow the humanities across the state. Grantees join the new PA SHARP Learning Network, a statewide learning group that fosters resource sharing, networking, professional development and mutual support.
“The humanities are on the ground, putting people first, by making spaces for new voices, supporting meaningful learning experiences, and fostering healing and resiliency in communities of all sizes,” said Laurie Zierer, executive director of PA Humanities. “PA SHARP further strengthens this essential work through network building, financial support, and reimagining the possibilities of the humanities across the state.”
PA Humanities assembled a diverse team of 46 cultural professionals who reviewed a total of 337 applications – 41 percent of which were new applicants. The recipients represent museums, historical societies, libraries and other vital cultural institutions in 30 counties across Pennsylvania. They were carefully selected with an emphasis on equity and geographic diversity.
Applicants to PA SHARP reported losses totaling $176 million, revealing the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on the cultural sector. Funding from PA SHARP will help address this challenge by supporting engaging programming, capacity building and general operations.
