Creating a Scene
The Cultural District attracts over
2,000,000 people to Downtown Pittsburgh annually.
The pioneering H. J. “Jack” Heinz II had a theory: the arts can play a leading role in transforming Downtown Pittsburgh, spurring cultural activity throughout the region. In 1984, with the creation of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust (the Trust), Heinz’s vision for the city’s Cultural District took center stage. Using the arts as a catalyst for urban revitalization and economic development, the Trust has succeeded in securing Pittsburgh’s standing as a world-class center for arts and entertainment. A visit to the vibrant Cultural District is proof that Jack Heinz’s dream continues to come to life, taking shape under the Trust’s leadership and direction. Many options are available on any given day or night for arts and live entertainment, including classical and contemporary music, musical theater, ballet, drama, opera, visual arts, comedy and more.
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is: • a performing arts presenter • a facilities owner/operator • a catalyst for Cultural District development • a visual arts exhibitor • an arts collaborator
H.J. “Jack” Heinz II (standing left, center) and his “Band of Dreamers,” including the Hon. John Heinz III (seated front, left), create a national model for urban revitalization through the creation of Pittsburgh’s Cultural District.
Setting the Stage The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust brings the world’s finest performances and visual arts to Western Pennsylvania. The Trust presents and supports diverse performing arts, including the best of Broadway, dance, theater, music and special programming for children and families.
Each year, over
PNC Broadway Across America – Pittsburgh
JazzLive
1,500
events, programs and exhibitions take place in Trust facilities and throughout the Cultural District.
Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents
photo: Colston Julian
CD Live!
Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater and Festival
photo: Joan Marcus
Three Rivers Arts Festival
Pittsburgh Dance Council
Pittsburgh International Festival of Firsts
CD Live! JazzLive Craft Beer School Wednesday Wine Flights
A Spotlight Forging a Future for the Arts on Visual Arts The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust shines its spotlight on the District’s robust visual arts scene. A growing number of arts galleries showcase an eclectic array of regional, national and international artists working in a multitude of genres and disciplines, from traditional to multimedia and new technology. Trust-operated art spaces include: 707-709 Penn Galleries 820 Liberty Avenue 937 Liberty Avenue Future Tenant Seventh & Penn Parklet SPACE Wood Street Galleries
The Trust, through its Education and Community Engagement department, offers a range of events and activities to make the arts more accessible to students, educators and audiences of all ages. From special programs for teachers and students to community happenings such as Gallery Crawls, JazzLive, Kids’ Crawls and First Night® Pittsburgh, the Trust has a growing, positive impact upon the region’s cultural life, developing diverse and vibrant arts audiences for the future.
Theater Arts Workshop for Students
Mastersclass
Wood Street Galleries
The Trust serves over
100,000
Student matinees in the Cultural District
Magnolias for Pittsburgh at Seventh and Penn Parklet
educators, students and community members in Western Pennsylvania each year.
Future Tenant
First Night® Pittsburgh
Free JazzLive concert in Agnes R. Katz Plaza
Kids’ Day in the Cultural District PNC Grow Up Great Program SPACE Gallery
World-Class Facilities The Trust owns and operates: Agnes R. Katz Plaza The Benedum Center for the Performing Arts Byham Theater O’Reilly Theater Theater Square: Cultural District Box Office Parking Garage Cabaret at Theater Square Backstage Bar Café Zao Restaurant Carolyn M. Byham WQED fm89.3 Studio Harris Theater SPACE Gallery The Trust’s Arts Education Center 707 Penn Gallery 801-803 Liberty Avenue 820 Liberty Avenue 937 Liberty Avenue 943 Liberty Avenue
As one of the largest Downtown land owners, the Trust manages over
1,000,000 square feet of property.
The Benedum Center is the
number 8
theater
Cabaret at Theater Square
in the nation
based on attendance. Source: Pollstar®®
Benedum Center
Wood Street Galleries
SPACE Gallery
Changing the Face of Downtown Through public and private partnerships, the Trust is transforming Downtown Pittsburgh. What was once a downtrodden area lined with noxious establishments is now a dynamic14-block destination for arts, entertainment, dining and urban living. The Cultural District will dazzle you with its creative urban energy, depth and charm. The Trust takes tremendous pride in steadily upgrading the District’s physical look, feel and experience through projects such as improving streetscapes, building restoration, and establishing public parks, plazas and outdoor art space.
sculpture by Louise Bourgeois
Allegheny Riverfront Park
New banners throughout the Cultural District Encore on Seventh Residential Living
Crazy Mocha Coffee Shop
Restaurants in the Cultural District
Jumbotron at Theater Square
Agnes R. Katz Plaza
Wednesday Wine Flights Rosebud Fine Food Market and Deli
Cafe Zao
Backstage Bar at Theater Square
Outdoor Outdoor seating seating at at Backstage Backstage Bar Bar at at Theater Theater Square Square
On Cue:
A Hub of Arts Collaboration The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a world leader in collaboration among performing arts organizations. Through its Shared Services department, the Trust increases efficiencies and decreases costs for Pittsburgh Cultural District member organizations including the August Wilson Center for African American Culture, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Pittsburgh CLO, Pittsburgh Opera, Pittsburgh Public Theater and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Shared Services projects include bulk purchasing of office essentials, pooled negotiation of healthcare benefits, district-wide program book sales and production, a patron database, strategic joint marketing efforts and the launch of a shared Tessitura customer relationship management system which, under the Trust’s management, is the world’s largest, multi-organization user of the software.
Pittsburgh Opera
Annual activity in the Cultural District generates an estimated economic impact of
$304,000,000
*
*Based on the formula established by the Americans for the Arts
Further, the Trust makes its facilities available to non-profit arts organizations at highly subsidized rates for performances and office space, allowing them to invest more resources into their core artistic missions.
August Wilson Center for African American Culture
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Pittsburgh Public Theater
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District
photo: Rich Sofranko
Pittsburgh CLO
Kids’ Crawl in the Cultural District
Standing Ovation The Cultural District applauds the thousands of patrons, donors, sponsors, foundations, legislators, trustees, staff members and volunteers who make our arts community a thriving center of activity, creativity and fun. To join the Trust’s supporting cast, contact Nick Gigante, Director of Development, at 412-471-5197 or gigante@pgharts.org Thank you for your support of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s vital work in the Cultural District. Bravo!
The Trust earned its
Fourth The Trust supports more than
830 area artists and arts organizations.
Four-Star
Rating
from Charity Navigator. Less than 12 percent of charities rated have received even two consecutive four-star ratings.
Cover photos clockwise: Patrons entering Byham Theater; Disney’s THE LION KING, photo Joan Marcus; Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District; PNC Grow Up Great program at the Benedum Center; Joffrey Ballet, photo Herbert Migdoll; Theater Square at night Back cover: Theater Square Parking Garage; Jumbotron at Theater Square; Benedum lobby during WICKED; JazzLive audience at Cabaret at Theater Square
Achieved a balanced budget for
25 consecutive years
803 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222 412-471-6070 pgharts.org