Report Title:	Intermediary Profile Report
Report Date:

Organization:	Philadelphia Cultural Management Initiative	Program ID Number: I-30
Date Profile Created:	June 29, 2009	Date Profile Last Updated: October 6, 2009

Program Summary:
The Philadelphia Cultural Management Initiative (PCMI) was launched through a grant from The Pew Charitable Trusts (which continues as its primary supporter) to strengthen the management and operations of arts and cultural organizations in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Grants, training and knowledge are available. PCMI presents a broad array of programming as well as opportunities for comprehensive assessment, and collaborates with other local organizations and funders. Its focus is on supporting artistic excellence, and it seeks to assist organizations that have already achieved a high level of programmatic accomplishment.

Housed at the The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage (PCAH) and administered by the University of the Arts, PCMI's goals are: (1) to help cultural organizations achieve their goals by providing opportunities for management improvement at the institutional and individual level; (2) to stimulate and sustain "learning organizations" committed to continuous refinement through self-reflection and capacity building; (3) to strengthen the Philadelphia cultural community by providing opportunities for learning, mentoring and networking among cultural management professionals; and (4) to develop leadership, governance and management capacity by creating a range of learning opportunities that match the needs of individual organizations with appropriate resources to address those needs. PCMI is one of seven initiatives operated through the PCAH.

PCMI offers organizational development grants through its Vision Grants program, as well as grants for professional skills development. Grantees of the other six PCAH programs are eligible. At times other community groups or educational organizations may also receive help if they partner with and are recommended by a PCAH grantee. A maximum of $150,000 over two years is available through the Vision Grants program. PCMI also helps identify consultants with specific skills needed by grantees to help in the development of practical skills, organizational knowledge and leadership.

Planning grants made available through the Vision Grants program, as well as professional development grants, can be used to support an organizational assessment process. Additionally, an online organizational assessment tool used by PCMI grantees will be made available as a free online resource for any arts or cultural organization, not just grantees, early in 2010.

PCMI encourages applicants to regard its grants as opportunities to think creatively about how to achieve their objectives and to risk trying innovative solutions. Since its inception, PCMI has provided $4,532,350 in project grants and an additional $899,400 in professional development grants. In addition to its grant programs, PCMI offers professional development seminars, technology planning programs, collaborative programming with local service organizations, peer support networks and mentoring programs.

Intermediaries that assist arts and cultural organizations can receive capacity-building support as well. For example, the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance received professional development grants for its staff to build marketing, development and technology skills, and for creation of a new staff position.

While most of PCMI's work is with Pew Charitable Trusts' grantees or applicants, PCMI also administers a grant from the William Penn Foundation, regranting funds to organizations in Philadelphia.

TCC Group conducted an organizational evaluation of PCMI's work in 2007. Additionally, organizations receiving grants participate from time to time in evaluation interviews and/or surveys conducted by an independent research organization to determine the effectiveness and impact of the fund.

During the summer of 2009 PCMI underwent restructuring as part of an increasing integration of activities among the seven initiatives housed at PCAH. Its new guidelines were made available on its web site in October of 2009.