Cultural Phenomenon
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The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
Contact: Veronica Corpuz, +1 412.471.6082, www.pgharts.org
Red Light to Green Light: Pittsburgh Trusts Power of the Arts to Transform Urban Blight into International Model of Success
Synopsis
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has overseen one of Pittsburgh's most historic transformations: turning a seedy red-light district into a magnet destination for arts lovers, residents, visitors, and business owners. Founded in 1984, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit arts organization whose mission is the cultural and economic transformation of a former red-light district into a 14-block arts and entertainment/residential neighborhood called the Cultural District. A major catalytic force in the city, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a unique model of how public-private partnerships can reinvent a city with authenticity, innovation and creativity.
Overview
Using the arts as an economic catalyst, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has holistically created a world-renowned Cultural District that is revitalizing the city, improving the regional economy and enhancing Pittsburgh's quality of life. Thanks to the support of foundations, corporations, government agencies and thousands of private citizens, the Trust stands as a national model of urban redevelopment through the arts.
Over a period of 25 years, the Trust has restored historic, grand theaters, constructed new performance venues, commissioned public art projects and developed unique urban parks and riverfront recreation spaces. As one of the largest Downtown Pittsburgh property owners, the Trust manages one million square feet of property, including:
1. The Benedum Center, Byham Theater and Harris Theater
2. O'Reilly Theater and Theater Square, designed by Michael Graves
3. Agnes R. Katz Plaza, featuring iconic sculptures by Louise Bourgeois
4. Allegheny Riverfront Park, a collaboration of artist Ann Hamilton and architect Michael Van Valkenburgh
5. Wood Street Galleries, SPACE, and 707-709 Penn Galleries
6. Arts Education Center and 937 Liberty Avenue
The Trust encourages and presents diverse performing and visual arts programs. Its main programming divisions include:
7. PNC Broadway Across America - Pittsburgh
8. Pittsburgh Dance Council
9. Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents
10. Pittsburgh International Children's Theater and Festival
11. Three Rivers Arts Festival
12. Pittsburgh International Festival of Firsts
13. First Night Pittsburgh, JazzLive, CD Live and Gallery Crawl
With an operating budget of $52 million, the Trust is among the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's largest nonprofit arts and cultural organizations, and is among the few national nonprofits that have received five consecutive four-star ratings from Charity Navigator, the independent charity evaluator.
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A view of the David Lawrence Convention Center
Green Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is leading the way in green initiatives. With green buildings located throughout the city and the nation’s first green convention center, we’re rethinking the cityscape and uncovering new ways to keep it green.
