“It’s all about sharing access and resources.”

Till Arts Project began informally in 2016 out of Wit Lopez’s art studio at the 40th Street Artist-in-Residence in West Philadelphia. With a crock pot, a tea kettle, and some extra art supplies, Wit began sharing their residency studio space, soup, and tea with anyone else who wanted to make art or eat and didn’t have access to a studio or food. As more people came, others began donating food, art supplies, and transportation to get people to “the art studio” and get them fed.

Since 2016, Till Arts Project has grown to more than just a crock pot and construction paper—it has become an arts services organization centered on serving LGBTQ+ artists in the Greater Philadelphia Region (including Camden, NJ and Wilmington, DE). Till Arts offers assistance to LGBTQ+ artists with their resumes, curriculum vitae, portfolios, grant/residency/fellowship applications, and more. Artists can also be connected with opportunities at other organizations and arts institutions.

As a commitment to upholding justice and equity in the Philadelphia arts community, all programming and arts services offered by Till Arts are 100% free of charge to LGBTQ+ artists in Philadelphia and all artists that are brought in for events are paid more than a living wage for their participation. Every Till Arts event always has food and other resources for the community. At its core, it’s still all about sharing access and resources.