The Arts Council of Erie
The Arts Council of Erie, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, is a public charity that operates as Erie Arts and Culture, the regional arts agency for Northwestern Pennsylvania. It supports artists, arts and cultural organizations, and culture bearers through grants, services, and programs, serving Erie, Crawford, Venango, Warren, Mercer, and Lawrence counties.
The Arts Council of Erie at a glance
In short: The Arts Council of Erie gave $427K across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $39K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 27% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $426,848
- +57.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- -31.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $38,804
- +128.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $4,826,143
- -2.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 27% first-time grantees (3 of 11, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Arts Council of Erie
- Contact
Mailing address: 419 State Street, Erie, PA 16507
Phone: (814) 452-3427
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Arts Council of Erie funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Erie Art Museum ($283K). Together the top 10 received $421K.
Grant Size Distribution
56 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 52 grants of 56 (93%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Erie Arts and Culture says it serves Erie, Crawford, Venango, Warren, Mercer, and Lawrence counties in Northwestern Pennsylvania. The 2025 filing reported that all grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Arts Council of Erie open to new grantees?
27%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 3 of 11 grantees (27%) were first-time recipients. With only 11 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 9 points. First grants averaged $11K; repeat grants $49K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $78K (2022) to $427K (2025). In 2025 it made 11 grants totaling $427K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Erie Art Museum Erie, PA | — | $283,294 |
| Erie Philharmonic Erie, PA | — | $55,846 |
| Experieence Children's Museum Erie, PA | — | $17,399 |
| Downtown Edinboro Music and Art Edinboro, PA | — | $11,250 |
| Erie Playhouse Erie, PA | — | $10,568 |
| Flagship Niagara League Erie, PA | — | $10,000 |
| Hagen History Center Erie, PA | — | $10,000 |
| Erie Contemporary Ballet Theatre Erie, PA | — | $10,000 |
| North East Arts Council North East, PA | — | $6,700 |
| Erie Arts & Music Festival Erie, PA | — | $6,250 |
Ready to take the next step with The Arts Council of Erie?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2025 filing reported 11 grants, the 2024 filing reported 16, and the 2023 filing reported 14.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4,826,143 | $897,879 | $1,309,466 | $426,848 | 11 | $198,667 |
| 2024 | $4,971,950 | $1,122,155 | $1,228,197 | $271,696 | 16 | $203,195 |
| 2023 | $4,787,890 | $1,470,612 | $1,488,032 | $144,530 | 14 | $84,640 |
| 2022 | $4,471,781 | $1,062,990 | $989,413 | $78,096 | 8 | $338,536 |
| 2021 | $5,070,058 | $1,212,720 | $918,557 | $157,792 | 7 | $241,334 |
| 2020 | $4,146,176 | $927,809 | $1,181,604 | $206,418 | 9 | $-121,365 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Erie Arts and Culture’s mission, as stated in its 2023 filing, is to provide social and financial resources and services for artists, arts and culture organizations, and culture bearers through endowments and its partnership with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. Its website describes its mission as nurturing a vibrant region by elevating, inspiring, and connecting artists and organizations.
The organization reports funding individual artists and arts and cultural organizations through endowments and regranting through its Pennsylvania Council on the Arts partnership. Its programs also include arts education and lifelong learning, folk and traditional arts, professional development, workshops, and support for creative entrepreneurs. The organization says it administers Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts, Arts in Education, and Folk and Traditional Arts programs.
Its 2025 grants included organizations working in visual arts, music, children’s learning, dance, and maritime history. The Erie Art Museum describes its mission as advancing the visual arts and lifelong art learning; the Erie Philharmonic describes its mission as providing live orchestra concerts and programs; and ExpERIEnce Children’s Museum describes its mission as offering children an educational, creative, interactive, and safe environment.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the organization reported 11 grants totaling $426,848. Grant amounts ranged from $5,541 to $283,294, with a median grant of $10,000. The largest awards were $283,294 to Erie Art Museum and $55,846 to Erie Philharmonic. Other reported grants included $17,399 to ExpERIEnce Children’s Museum, $11,250 to Downtown Edinboro Music and Art, and $10,568 to Erie Playhouse.
The organization’s website lists several grant opportunities for arts and cultural organizations. The Virginia Vieser Fund for Arts Education provides $4,000 to one Erie County nonprofit arts organization for a new and innovative arts education project. Its listed annual application window is January 1–March 15; that window has passed for 2026.
The Clarence E. Beyers Fund for Music Performance provides approximately $30,000 in annual funding for Erie County nonprofit organizations and independent efforts presenting public musical performances. The website lists an annual application window of October 1–December 15.
The Lydia McCain Fund Special Projects Grant page describes a past grant cycle supporting new arts projects in Erie County occurring from February 2025 through January 2026, with $11,000 total available. Eligible applicants for that cycle included Erie County 501(c)(3) arts organizations and grassroots arts organizations using a fiscal sponsor. Eligible project costs included materials and supplies, artist or contractor fees, promotion, and project-related facility rental. The page excludes ongoing programs and operating costs, capital improvements or land acquisition, religious or political activities, out-of-period expenses, hospitality, and lobbying. Its stated application window was rolling through October 31; the page describes the 2025–26 activity period, which has ended.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Anthony Dabreo, Matthew Flowers, Mabel Howard, Lauren Sala JD, Peggy Laughlin, Mona Kang MD, Tim Palochak, and Lori Lindley PhD as board members. Paula Gregory is listed as treasurer, Adrecia Milsap as secretary, and Lori Lindley PhD as vice chair.
The Arts Council of Erie is led by Michelle Butler PhD, Chair since 2024 (on filings since 2022); none of the 15 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Michelle Butler PhD
Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mona Kang MD
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paula Gregory
Treasurer
Board Member → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peggy Laughlin
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tim Palochak
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Adrecia Milsap
Secretary
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lori Lindley PhD
Vice Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Tolbert
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anthony Dabreo
Board Member
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chad Tucker
Board Member
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mabel Howard
Board Member
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Flowers
Board Member
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shreelina Ghosh PhD
Board Member
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lauren Sala JD
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susannah Faulkner
Executive Di
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (19)
- Former: Anne O'Dell (2023–2024) — Executive Di
- Former: Lauren Holler JD (2023–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Casey Corritore (2024) — Interim Executive
- Former: George Espy (2020–2023) — Chair
- Former: Jonathan Riley (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Keith Kennedy (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Tom New (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Amy Cuzzola Kern (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Bryan Timm (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Patrick Fisher (2020–2022) — Executive Director
- Former: Rhonda Matthews (2020–2022) — Vice Chair
- Former: Tauna Hunter (2020–2022) — Chair
- Former: Walter Iwanenko (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Almitra Clerkin (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Mary Lindquist (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Selena King (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Gregory J. Grasinger (2020) — Treasurer
- Former: Jw Alberstadt Jr. (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Richard Scaletta (2020) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The Arts Council of Erie
How much does The Arts Council of Erie give each year?
The Arts Council of Erie gave $427K across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $272K across 16 grants.
What is The Arts Council of Erie's typical grant size?
The Arts Council of Erie's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $38,804, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Arts Council of Erie that year got $11K on average.
Where does The Arts Council of Erie give grants?
The Arts Council of Erie gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Erie, PA (9 grants).
Who are The Arts Council of Erie's largest grantees?
The Arts Council of Erie's largest 2025 grantees include Erie Art Museum ($283,294), Erie Philharmonic ($55,846) and Experieence Children's Museum ($17,399), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 84% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Arts Council of Erie?
The Arts Council of Erie reported $4.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $898K.
What does The Arts Council of Erie fund?
Erie Arts and Culture’s mission, as stated in its 2023 filing, is to provide social and financial resources and services for artists, arts and culture organizations, and culture bearers through endowments and its partnership with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Arts Council of Erie?
The Arts Council of Erie has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Arts Council of Erie's EIN?
The Arts Council of Erie's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 25-6085617. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 25, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 14, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 10, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Arts Council of Erie's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Arts Council of Erie funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-arts-council-of-erie-morg_7d60acb250b74c3ba76a23955c8ffec1
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_256085617_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Arts Council of Erie funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-arts-council-of-erie-morg_7d60acb250b74c3ba76a23955c8ffec1},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Arts Council of Erie's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
The Arts Council of Erie down — hundreds of funders to go?