Intermission is Over: Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council Declares it’s Time to ‘Restart the Arts’
Pittsburgh – Sept. 1, 2021 - Today, the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council kicks off a campaign to support the safe reopening of Pittsburgh's arts venues for in-person events this fall. In support of all Pittsburgh-area arts organizations, the 'Restart the Arts' campaign highlights how audiences can return to venues while continuing to be safe.
The pandemic has disproportionately affected the arts industry nationwide. Locally, Pittsburgh's arts and culture industry has experienced more than $48.5 million in total financial losses as of February 2021, according to Americans for the Arts.
"We all wish this pandemic was completely behind us, but unfortunately the impact of COVID-19 appears to be here to stay for a while," said Mitch Swain, CEO of the Arts Council. "The good news is that over the last year our venues, performers and organizations have learned how they can continue to deliver the arts to our audiences in an enjoyable and safe manner."
To support the reopening of venues, the Arts Council is leading a marketing push with television, radio, online, social media and billboard advertising throughout the region. This is also enhanced by a mobile 'Artsmobile' that will be traveling throughout the region to deliver free performances and sweet treats to communities.
"The Artsmobile is the perfect example of how our arts organizations have learned to survive during the pandemic," added Swain. "It permits us to bring performances to a diverse set of communities in an outdoor setting with allowances for social distancing."
Performing on the Artsmobile will be the Pittsburgh Opera, Local 412, Libertoca, Hill Dance Academy Theatre, Nandanik Dance Troupe and multidisciplinary artist HUNY.
A full schedule of performances for the Artsmobile can be found at artsburgh.org.
After a year and a half of halting shows, concerts and performances, venues and organizations have worked hard to prepare in-person programming for this fall. Venues and organizations region-wide will continue to maintain and adjust their health protocols in response to the spread of COVID-19. These health and safety policies will be re-evaluated by each venue and organization as science dictates.
Support for this campaign comes from a variety of sources, including: the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD), Henry L. Hillman Foundation, Richard King Mellon Foundation, GetGo Café + Market, and 91.3 WYEP-FM and 90.5 WESA.
A full list of upcoming events and performances can be found on the Arts Council's arts events website, artsburgh.org.
###