WVIA has been awarded a $19,664 Critical Needs Grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation to support two of the organization’s long-standing arts initiatives: Artist of the Week and ArtScene.
The grant will support three months of production for ArtScene and allow WVIA to complete this year’s Artist of the Week series, which highlights the creative talents of high school students across the region.
“Arts and culture are essential to the vibrancy of our communities,” said Carla McCabe, President & CEO of WVIA. “We are grateful to the Scranton Area Community Foundation for recognizing the importance of these programs and helping ensure they continue to celebrate the creativity and artistic voices that make Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania so unique.”
Artist of the Week provides high school students from WVIA’s partner schools the opportunity to showcase their artistic talents. Students visit WVIA’s studios to record performances or present creative works, giving them a platform to share their art with the broader community. The segments are featured on wvia.org and shared across WVIA’s digital and social media platforms. In addition to highlighting student talent, the program also introduces students to the craft of media production.
ArtScene, hosted and produced by Erika Funke, is a daily radio feature airing Monday through Friday that highlights the region’s vibrant arts and cultural community. The program includes interviews, reviews, and commentary covering local theater, music, literature, film, and cultural events, while also exploring the rich artistic history of Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Together, these programs help connect audiences with the artists, performers, and cultural organizations that contribute to the region’s creative identity.
For more information about ArtScene and Artist of the Week visit www.wvia.org.
