Pennsylvania HB 428: An Act establishing the Pennsylvania Artist Fellowship Grant Program; imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts; and making appropriations.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 396
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 428
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY CIRESI, KHAN, DALEY, VENKAT, GIRAL, PROBST,
FREEMAN, SANCHEZ, MALAGARI, KENYATTA, DONAHUE, HILL-EVANS,
HOWARD, PASHINSKI, GREEN, CERRATO, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ AND MAYES,
JANUARY 30, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TOURISM, RECREATION AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT, JANUARY 30, 2025
AN ACT
Establishing the Pennsylvania Artist Fellowship Grant Program;
imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts; and
making appropriations.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Pennsylvania
Artist Fellowship Grant Program Act.
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Council." The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.
"Eligible individual." An individual who meets the
eligibility requirements under section 5.
"Grant." Financial assistance for a fellowship under the
program.
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"Program." The Pennsylvania Artist Fellowship Grant Program
established under section 3.
Section 3. Establishment and purposes of program.
The Pennsylvania Artist Fellowship Grant Program is
established within the council to provide grants in accordance
with this act to artists in this Commonwealth for the following
purposes:
(1) To enable artists to demonstrate or continue
demonstrating their talents and skills in producing or
presenting artistic projects or programs in this
Commonwealth.
(2) To foster artistic growth and sustain artistic
practice.
(3) To encourage artists to relocate to or remain in
this Commonwealth.
(4) To support prestigious fellowships as an investment
to foster, build and improve communities in this
Commonwealth.
Section 4. Administration.
The council shall implement and administer the program and
shall develop the following in accordance with this act:
(1) An application form for a grant, which must:
(i) Include eligibility criteria, deadlines and
information to be submitted, such as contact information,
proof of eligibility as described in section 5 and the
proposed uses of the grant.
(ii) Be posted on the publicly accessible Internet
website of the council.
(2) A process for the following:
(i) The submittal and review of a completed
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application form for a grant, including a timeline for
making a determination to award the grant and notice of
the award of the grant.
(ii) The disbursement of a grant.
(iii) The general management of the program,
including the maintenance of records regarding grants.
Section 5. Eligibility.
An individual shall be eligible for a grant if the individual
satisfies all of the following criteria:
(1) Is 18 years of age or older.
(2) Is a resident of this Commonwealth.
(3) Is a visual, media, film or performing artist who
provides evidence of regular creative practice.
(4) Produces or presents projects or programs that are
relevant to the community and accessible to the public in
this Commonwealth.
(5) Is not enrolled in a high school, undergraduate or
graduate degree program.
Section 6. Use of grant.
(a) Permissible uses.--A grant may be used to defray costs,
fees or other expenses regarding any of the following:
(1) Administration.
(2) Consultant services.
(3) Contractual services.
(4) Daycare services.
(5) Entries.
(6) Equipment rental.
(7) Exhibitions.
(8) Financial tools or planning.
(9) Food.
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(10) Housing.
(11) Insurance.
(12) Studios or workspaces.
(13) Materials or supplies.
(14) Marketing.
(15) Medical services.
(16) Goods or services provided by technical crews,
fabricators or collaborators.
(17) Professional memberships.
(18) Performances or production.
(19) Student loans.
(20) Submissions for grants or residency applications.
(21) Travel or transportation.
(22) Utilities.
(23) Website development.
(b) Prohibited uses.--A grant may not be used for any of the
following purposes:
(1) To compensate activities performed as part of
regular, continuing employment.
(2) To make contributions to any of the following:
(i) An individual who holds, or is a candidate for,
elected office.
(ii) A political party, organization or action
committee.
(3) In connection with a political campaign or
referendum.
(4) Lobbying activities.
Section 7. Award of grant.
(a) Nature and amount.--Except as provided in subsection
(b), after the review of submitted applications for grants, the
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council shall award grants on an annual basis in the amount of
$100,000 to not more than 25 eligible individuals.
(b) Limitations.--
(1)