Sarah Monk, the project manager, relocated to Philadelphia in 2001 from London. Ms. Monk has an extensive background in marketing the arts with over 20 years of experience producing music and theater events at London's museums.
Under a grant by the William Penn Foundation, Monk has assembled a tem of contributors consisting of more than thirty Philadelphia writers, editors, artists, photographers and Web designers plus 30 photography majors from The University of the Arts. The team was charged with "bringing Philadelphia's rich heritage to life through vivid words and striking images."
The result of the team's efforts is the best one-stop source for concise, yet informative information, and images of the places and annual events that play a significant part in making the Philadelphia area one of the most culturally rich and diverse areas in the world.
Wonderfully cross indexed by category, location, special interest or simply alphabetically, CultureFiles is easy navigated for even the most inexperienced Web user.
A typical page provides a photo and brief overview of the likely visitor experience, as well some historical background. Right-side navigation provides information on location including a mapping feature, ticketing and contact information including the url of any official website, an insider's tip, as well as suggested related topics and nearby attractions.
For example, a reader who wishes to explore South Philadelphia, will find information on such locales as the American Swedish Historical Society, the Marian Anderson Historical Residence/Museum, the Mummers Museum, and smaller opera venues, to name just a few.
A reader who is looking for places to take children in the region will find an extensive list of over 150 opportunities including the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Camden Children's Garden, the Mum Puppettheatre, the Philadelphia Insectarium and the Philadelphia Zoo.
Whether you're planning a visit to the region, a local resident who wants to learn more about your home, or a writer looking for story ideas, CultureFiles is a great resource.
