Authority increases arts allocation and approves wide slate of arts grants

The Delaware County board voted to increase the arts & culture allocation for 2026 from $150,000 to $188,800 to accommodate qualified applicants, then approved a long slate of grants to arts organizations across the county.

Chair moved to increase the allocation and members seconded; the motion carried on voice vote. The board approved $10,000 awards to organizations including Historic Lansdowne Theatre Corporation, Orchestra Concordia Association, Philadelphia Scenic Works, Delaware County Symphony and several community arts groups. The board approved a $10,000 conditional grant to Media Theater for an HVAC project; the treasurer will hold disbursement until the condition is met, following the precedent used for the Chester Bandshell project. "It will come back to the board as a report that they have met the condition, and then we won't have to revote on it," a board member clarified.