Press
FAQs

Who is organizing Founder’s Weekend?

Founder’s Weekend is a program of Root Quarterly: Art & Ideas from Philadelphia. RQ’s organizing partners—organizations who are helping us develop programming, run workshops, and donate space and other resources, include Braver Angels, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), and Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Episcopal Church.

Where did the idea come from?

Root Quarterly’s issues are themed, and the fall 2024 theme is “Founders.” After confirming an event partnership with FIRE about creating a culture of free expression in the arts, we decided to make a weekend of it given that many people are coming in from out of town to attend—and we want to show them a good time in the birthplace of American democracy. During our discussions, with our volunteer staff, we decided that calling it “Founder’s Weekend” would help people envision themselves as founders—no matter how long they’ve been in America, what their ethnic background or family history is, and no matter their position in society. This is our country—let’s act like it. It won’t heal, evolve, or be a beacon of light across the world unless we take responsibility for it and work together toward a common vision.

What role could an upstart art and ideas magazine possibly have in creating a better country?

Anyone who thinks that something small can’t have great impact should reintroduce themselves to a lever and fulcrum… it’s all about deciding what you want to lift, and placing that little powerhouse in the right place. Culture precedes policy, and culture is most certainly the purview of magazines, which are a tried-and-true method for organizing, sparking deep conversation, and bringing people together. As the founding editor of First Things once said, “If you want to spread an idea, write a book. If you want to build a community, launch a magazine.” The press, otherwise known as the “Fourth Estate” plays a vital role in American Democracy. We believe that investing in regional, independent media with a sustainable business model is one of the ways that we will reclaim our country from polarization and dysfunction—and move into celebration and elevation instead. You can read more about us—and why we consider ourselves a pioneering regenerative media project—here.

Are you a nonprofit? Who funds you?

No. But our fiscal sponsor is. Root Quarterly is a sponsored project of Cultureworks, Greater Philadelphia, which allows us to take in tax-deductible donations and comply with all nonprofit governance and legal best practices. They sponsor nearly 100 different arts and culture projects in Philadelphia, and we thank them for their help and services. Root Quarterly is also a grantee of the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, who is giving us support in 2024. We also have many individual donors, and have received grant funds in the past from the Program on Pluralism and Civil Exchange at George Mason University’s Mercatus Center, Comcast RISE, and from corporate sponsors such as Corona Partners. We thank everyone for their support and encouragement.

How can get more information?

If you want to do an interview with our founder or any of our partners, please contact us at founders@rootquarterly.com or call 215.983.6028.

If you want to join us for an event, please fill out the request form.

Who runs Root Quarterly: Art & Ideas from Philadelphia?

Our founder, Heather Shayne Blakeslee, is an award-winning executive, publisher, and musician who founded Root Quarterly in 2019. The magazine runs almost entirely with a volunteer staff, and yet Root Quarterly was named a best new magazine from Library Journal on an international list in its first year. In 2024, Blakeslee was named Storyteller of the Year by The Philadelphia Citizen. She’s pictured here with partner and RQ Ideas Editor Walter Foley at the awards ceremony.