NEPA Scene Staff

Lackawanna County cancels cultural events like Scrantastic Spectacular, launches NEPA Artists Showcase

Lackawanna County cancels cultural events like Scrantastic Spectacular, launches NEPA Artists Showcase
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From a press release:

The Lackawanna County Arts and Culture Department announced today that it will be redesigning its programming for the remainder of the year due to the coronavirus crisis to ensure the safety of the public.

Upcoming summer programs, such as the Scrantastic Spectacular on July 3, Art in the Park series throughout July, and ARTS Engage Day at the Electric City Trolley Museum on July 30, have all been canceled, along with the annual Lackawanna County 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament. While the four county parks are open for limited use, swimming at county park pools and lakes is prohibited.

Although options may be explored depending on recommendations from the CDC and state, fall and winter events, including the annual Wake Up With the Arts Breakfast and the Winter Market, have also been canceled. The Trolley Museum in Scranton is currently not open to the public or offering trolley rides. The museum will follow the official guidelines regarding reopening.

To support local artists and creative local businesses during this time, the county, along with Anthracite Events, is launching the “NEPA Artists, Creators, and Small Business Showcase” on Wednesday, July 1. It will run seasonally through December with the intent to create an online space to make shopping locally easier for the public. Applications are now open and can be found at lackawannamarkets.com. They will be accepted until Friday, June 19.

The county is currently running its Arts and Culture Live series every Wednesday from 7 p.m.-9 p.m., featuring local artists and other cultural producers on Electric City Television on YouTube and Comcast Channel 19 until July 1.

For more information, contact Lackawanna County Deputy Director of Arts and Culture Maureen McGuigan at 570-815-1280 or mcguiganm@lackawannacounty.org.

In April, the Lackawanna County Arts and Culture Department and several other agencies and individuals joined forces to publish “Lackawanna County COVID-19 Creative Community Resources,” a guide that helps to navigate the many resources available to artists of all kinds during these trying times.

The guide outline CARES Act programs, the Pennsylvania CARE Package, and gives links for grant funding and other resource as well as local organizations offering their expertise for navigating these programs.

The directory is updated regularly to meet the challenges and changes everyone is facing daily. The public is encouraged to follow the county’s Arts and Culture Department’s Facebook and Twitter pages for the latest information.

The organizations that offered guidance for the compendium are the city of Scranton’s Office of Economic and Community Development; the Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science, and Art; the Lackawanna County Arts, Culture, and Education Council; Meoni Graphics + Promotion; NEPA Alliance; the Scranton Area Community Foundation; Scranton Tomorrow; The University of Scranton Small Business Development Center; and United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Read the entire “Lackawanna County COVID-19 Creative Community Resources” guide below or download it here.

Lackawanna-County-COVID-19-Creative-Community-Resources

Photo by Jason Riedmiller Photography/NEPA Scene