Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program

_Note: 55% of the funds available for distribution in this program will be reserved for black, indigenous, or persons of color (BIPOC), or individuals whose income falls below the Federal Poverty Income Level as defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. By doing this, PCA hopes to prioritize investment in creative entrepreneurs who are located in or whose work benefits socially or economically disadvantaged communities._

The Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program (the “Program”) is designed to pair access to existing small business consulting services with financial resources for creative entrepreneurs who aspire to start their own for-profit business or who operate an existing for-profit micro business.

The Program’s purpose is to help creative entrepreneurs to grow their business, audience and revenue. The Program will advance the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts’ overarching value of diversity, equity and inclusion and prioritize investments to creative entrepreneurs who identify Black, Indigenous or people of color (“BIPOC”) and those who are located in and whose work benefits low-income communities as defined by the Small Business Administration.

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

• Creative entrepreneurs are eligible to apply for the Creative Entrepreneurs Accelerator Program once every three years.
• Applicants must:
  • Be at least 18 years of age and a current resident of Pennsylvania for at least one year.
  • Creative entrepreneur’s business must have gross revenue less than $200,000 or intend to form or operate a business in Cumberland, Dauphin and Lebanon Counties.
  • Be a creative entrepreneur intending to form a business or operating a business in Pennsylvania within one or more of the following creative industry areas:
  • Marketing – Advertising and marketing agencies & professionals
  • Architecture – Architecture firms & architects
  • Visual Arts & Crafts – Galleries, artists, artisans & makers
  • Design – Product, interior, graphic, and fashion design firms and designers
  • Film & Media – Film, video, animation, TV & Radio businesses
  • Digital Games – Companies, programmers & individuals producing games.
  • Music & Entertainment –Producers, venues, musicians & performers
  • Publishing – Print or electronic businesses & content creators, editors & writers

Ineligibility

• Activities outside the grant period.
• Activities that have a religious purpose.
• Payments to lobbyists.
• Activities for which academic credit is given.
• Offsets to regular business operating costs, including regular salary or wages.
• Hospitality, food, or beverages.
• Direct or indirect participation in a political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.