Arts Advocacy In Pennsylvania


Leading advocacy to ensure the arts are valued, supported, and sustained.

At a time when the federal government is targeting our most vulnerable communities, protecting the arts is more urgent than ever. Advocacy is central to our work as we find ways to connect decision-makers, funders, and public officials with the creative community. Here, we're sharing a selection of some of our current advocacy priorities and initiatives.

Advocacy in the Arts: Creative Voices, Collective Power

Advocacy in the Arts

Communicating advocacy initiatives and updates

Advocacy in the Arts is the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council's monthly arts advocacy newsletter, created to keep you informed, connected, and inspired around the critical issues shaping our region’s arts sector.

SubscribeView Past Editions

Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council's Policy & Action Roundtables

Policy and Action Roundtables

Bringing together artists, cultural workers, policymakers, and civic leaders

Launched in 2026, the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council’s Policy and Action Roundtables are designed to strengthen dialogue, coordination, and collective action across Pittsburgh’s arts ecosystem and cultural sector.

Learn More

A view of the Downtown Pittsburgh skyline shown from someone on a boat in the river and focused on Point State Park

Setting Arts Priorities for the City of Pittsburgh

Strengthening the city’s strategies, policies, and investments

The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council convened a diverse group of voices from across the sector, identifying nine key arts priorities to ensure Pittsburgh continues to grow as a contemporary global city where creativity is valued, supported, and allowed to thrive.

Read the Priorities

The words Advocacy Alert are shown on top of a photograph of the U.S. Capitol building

Trump’s Impact on the Arts

A Running List of Updates

Within his first 24 hours in office, President Trump rescinded many of former President Biden’s previous executive orders. In the days that followed, threats of federal funding cuts caused concerns throughout the arts and culture community. This blog serves as a running list of updates as we gather more info on how the new administration is affecting our sector.

Read More

Additional Resources

  • A man in a tan coat and hat speaks to a small group indoors; two people stand nearby listening, with photos and text displayed on the wall behind them. Some backs of audience members are visible in the foreground.

    Take Action

    Want more funding to go to the arts? Worried about the lack of state-supported arts education? Connecting with your elected officials is often the easiest — and most effective — way individuals can influence change.

  • Signage that says "arts advocate, and I vote"

    Arts Advocates and Government Funders

    The national and state arts budgets are regularly debated issues. Government grants comprise a small but significant portion of arts nonprofit funding, as they have been shown to attract investment from other private and public funders. Annual funding appropriations are determined by the House and Senate Appropriations Committees overseeing the U.S. Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies.

Questions about getting involved in federal, state, or local advocacy efforts? Contact CEO Patrick Fisher at pfisher@pittsburghartscouncil.org for more information.