Founded in 1960 as the Arts Council of Erie, Erie Arts & Culture is the regional arts agency for Northwestern Pennsylvania, as appointed by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA). Our role is to promote, support, and develop culture and creativity at the regional level; ensuring broad opportunities for residents and tourists throughout communities in Erie, Crawford, Venango, Warren, Mercer, and Lawrence counties to engage with the sector educationally, socially, and economically. Our presence ensures that all communities - regardless of their geographic location or economic status - are systematically and equitably served. In support of our mission, we: - Provide tools, resources, and financial support to individuals and organizations that specifically utilize the arts and humanities as a platform to engage the broader community. - Grow the capacity of our sector to ensure extraordinary creative and cultural experiences. - Create an environment in which artists and creative industries, representing a wide variety of disciplines, can thrive. - Fund opportunities for lifelong learning through the arts and humanities experiences in classrooms, institutions, and community spaces. - Consult on how creativity and culture can be a component in any development or redevelopment project. - Celebrate Erie's collective identity by preserving and promoting the region's cultural diversity.