ARTS Oil City and the Oil Region Alliance are excited to announce that they have been selected as a 2025 Cohort for the Alliance for Creative Rural Economies (ACRE) program through Pittsburgh’s Bridgeway Capital. The program, started in 2022, has been successful in three other Pennsylvania cities, as well as Wheeling and Morgantown, West Virginia.

The ACRE program is designed to empower creative entrepreneurs in rural communities through financial resilience, creative fulfillment, and social impact. The ACRE journey follows a proprietary “Learn, Plan, Thrive” model that guides participants through business training, financial planning, and personalized coaching. The approach equips creative entrepreneurs with the tools and strategies they need to build sustainable businesses that contribute to the revitalization of their communities.

“Bridgeway is excited to add Oil City as one of three new ACRE communities,” said Adam Kenney, Chief Program Officer at Bridgeway Capital. “Oil City has a rich cultural history and a growing creative sector that will benefit from the tailored support that ACRE provides. These entrepreneurs bring commercial and creative energy to rural revitalization, and we look forward to helping them realize their potential.”

Artists, Makers, Designers and Craftspeople who live in Oil City or the surrounding area are encouraged to learn more about the program. Applications are open now through December 15. Up to 15 creative professionals will be selected to participate in the year-long program, which begins in January, at no cost. For more information visit acrepartners.org, reach out to Barbara Pierce at ARTS Oil City (bpierce@oilregion.org) and check ArtsOilCity on Facebook.

This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s November 2024 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.