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NTCA Office, 570-265-7455

For Immediate Release
September 9, 2009

Artless Wednesday Raises Awareness of Budget Impasse

Pennsylvania is in day 68 of the state budget impasse. This impasse is hurting nonprofit groups all over the Commonwealth including arts organizations. Starting Wednesday, September 9 and continuing each Wednesday until a budget is passed, arts organizations all over the Commonwealth are making symbolic gestures to draw attention to what communities might be like if there is no state support of nonprofit arts groups. The hope is that these gestures will create opportunities for discussion on “Main Street, PA.” As a part this "artless Wednesdays", the Northern Tier Cultural Alliance, in partnership with the Weigh Station Cafe in Towanda, will drape black shrouds over the artwork on the walls of the Cafe each Wednesday. On the shrouds are signs asking cafe patrons to "Imagine Pennsylvania with NO Arts......"

"We're really reaching a critical point," says Jennifer L. Swain, NTCA Executive Director. "The Board of Directors of the Northern Tier Cultural Alliance has passed a temporary 2009-2010 organizational budget that will take us through the end of December. While that budget reflects a cut in salaries, the elimination of a contract position, and the reduction of other budget line items, we need a state budget in place in order to make appropriate decisions for the long-term. If the state budget does not include funding for the arts, the Board is going to have to make some very tough decisions regarding the future structure of the organization."

The Northern Tier Cultural Alliance (NTCA) fosters awareness and appreciation of the cultural traditions produced by the unique blend of diverse cultures found in our region through annual and special events, exhibits, the PA North Country Artisan Center & Store, educational programs and community involvement. NTCA serves as one of seven Regional Folk Arts Support Centers in partnership with the PA Council on the Arts (PCA) in a statewide Folk Arts Infrastructure Initiative that seeks “to strengthen awareness and understanding, as well as participation in, traditional arts across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania." In addition, NTCA serves as one of 17 regional service providers selected by the PCA to administer the PA Partners in the Arts Program which small grants opportunities for organizations to support a wide variety of local and community arts activities.

In support of its mission and the Folk Arts Infrastructure Initiative, NTCA now offers support to artists and community organizations from 10 northern Pennsylvania counties: Bradford, Cameron, Clinton, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga and Wyoming. For more information, visit NTCA online at www.ntculturalalliance.org.

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