Summer may be winding down, but the Arts Council’s advocacy is pressing forward — locally, statewide, and nationally. From elevating community-driven priorities for Pittsburgh’s next mayor to demanding stronger federal representation for our sector and navigating Pennsylvania’s unresolved state budget, we are working to keep artists and creative workers informed and at the center of every policy conversation.

From Intensive to Impact: A New Advocacy Campaign Ahead

I’m excited to share that I’ve been accepted into the Center for Artistic Activism's Innovation for Impact Leadership Intensive. This leadership experience is designed to equip advocacy leaders with proven tools and creative strategies to design and implement transformative campaigns. With only four leaders selected nationwide for the Fall 2025 cohort, I’m honored to represent the Arts Council in this unique opportunity.

Through the program, I’ll bring forward the seed of a new advocacy campaign and will then work alongside national experts to sharpen strategy and strengthen our capacity to achieve results. This experience will directly benefit our advocacy efforts, culminating in the launch of a new creative campaign in the fourth quarter of this year, one that embraces fresh approaches, deeper collaboration, and greater impact for the arts community.

Help Set Arts Priorities for Pittsburgh’s Next Mayor

As Pittsburgh prepares for a mayoral election, the Arts Council has convened a diverse group of artists, arts nonprofit leaders, and founders and workers from for-profit creative businesses to help shape the city’s cultural future.

Over the course of three months, this group identified nine key priorities to strengthen the city’s strategies, policies, and investments, ensuring Pittsburgh continues to grow as a contemporary global city where creativity is valued, supported, and allowed to thrive.

We are now asking all of you to provide us with feedback before presenting these priorities to the mayoral candidates.

The Arts Can’t Be Ignored. Not in Pittsburgh, Not in D.C.

The Arts Council formally requested meetings with every member of Congress serving Greater Pittsburgh to discuss urgent challenges facing our sector. Our intent is to bring a group of sector representatives to the table to ensure our voices are heard.

While responses so far have been limited, Sen. John Fetterman’s office declined our request, stating: “A meeting with Senator Fetterman is not possible at this time.” We pressed further to identify a time that might work in the future, but the reply was more of the same: “A meeting with Senator Fetterman is not possible at this time.”'

We find this response not only unsatisfactory, but unacceptable. Our sector deserves to be heard, and we will continue to push for meetings with all members of Congress who are entrusted to represent our region.

Advocacy News

Senate Recommends Level Arts and Humanities Funding, But Risks Remain
On July 24, the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee recommended full funding of $207 million each for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities in the FY26 budget.

While level funding may seem like good news, federal support remains just $1.24 per capita, an amount that grossly undervalues artists, cultural workers, and arts organizations. Even at flat funding levels, tightened eligibility criteria and shifting priorities have left many unsupported. There is also growing concern that NEA and NEH budgets will be steered toward initiatives that reflect Trump’s ideology, turning critical cultural investment into a tool for political propaganda.

Both chambers are expected to take up their FY26 Interior Appropriations bills in September, where amendments to cut NEA and NEH funding are likely. We will continue monitoring closely and advocating against reductions that weaken our nation’s cultural infrastructure.

State in Limbo: 2025–26 Budget Still Unresolved
Pennsylvania’s FY25–26 state budget remains unresolved, leaving many state programs uncertain. Lawmakers have yet to reach an agreement, and the impasse continues to disrupt planning and operations across the commonwealth.

For the arts sector, eyes have been on the line item “grants to the arts.” Funds from this line item are entrusted to the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and support grants awarded directly to artists, culture bearers, and arts organizations by the PCA or through regranting partners like the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council.

Advocates, including Creative Pennsylvania (formerly Citizens for the Arts Pennsylvania), have long sought increases to this line item, which has remained flat for more than a decade. While the Governor’s draft budget proposed a flat $9.59 million for grants to the arts in FY26, it did include a 22.3% increase in the PCA’s operating budget.

Community Concerns Over Museum Rental
In July, the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh received community concerns regarding the rental of the Hall of Sculpture to PA Rising for a private event connected to U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick’s Energy and Innovation Summit at Carnegie Mellon University. Prior to the event, we shared these concerns with museum leadership, noting questions about alignment with museum guidelines. Museum leadership indicated they had received multiple assurances from PA Rising that the event was nonpartisan and not a political fundraiser, and therefore proceeded with the rental.

As the situation drew broader attention, we encouraged the museum to engage directly with the community and review policies that could help prevent similar challenges in the future. With recent national coverage, these steps remain important, along with involving staff in any repair efforts.

For those concerned, we recommend prioritizing direct conversations with the museum by emailing Betsy Momich, Senior Director, Corporate Communications, rather than discussions about the museum, as constructive dialogue offers the clearest path to progress. 

More Noteworthy News

White House calls for a 'comprehensive review' of eight Smithsonian museums (NPR)

American Alliance of Museums Issues Statement on the Growing Threats of Censorship Against U.S. Museums (AAM press release)

NEA cancels decades-long creative writing fellowship (NPR)

Kennedy Center terminates dance programming team (NPR)

Kennedy Center’s New Dance Director Criticized ‘Woke’ Ballet Culture (The New York Times)

Advocacy Event

The ACLU is inviting community members to register for their ACLU Power And Purpose Training on Saturday, September 6 from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

During this all-day training, participants will learn how to organize effectively, have persuasive conversations that move people to action, and build lasting connections. Space is limited, so early registrations are recommended.

Amy Sherald

Bold, Unapologetic, Unyielding: A Refusal to Self-Censor

Amy Sherald, celebrated for her 2018 official portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama, was warned that her painting Trans Forming Liberty, which depicts the Statue of Liberty as a Black transgender woman, might offend Donald Trump, who in January issued an Executive Order declaring two sexes only. Amy was advised to exclude the painting from her upcoming exhibition at the federally funded Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. Rather than compromise her artistic vision, Sherald made the bold choice to cancel the show entirely, standing firmly for creative integrity and representation.

Fran Ledonio Flaherty

Supporting Immigrant Communities Through Art Auction

In response to a series of devastating and dehumanizing ICE raids in Allegheny County, where community members were aggressively detained at workplaces and courthouses, Pittsburgh-based artist Fran Ledonio Flaherty has stepped forward to support local immigrant communities. Through her exhibition and auction, Winds and Wonder, on display at Arriviste Coffee Roasters, Fran is using her art to foster resistance and solidarity. The silent auction this Saturday, August 30, alongside an artist meet-and-greet at 3 p.m., will raise proceeds for Casa San Jose.

Do you know a person or organization worth a spotlight? We'd love to learn more! Use this form to send us their info for consideration in a future newsletter.

Sign-on Invitation

Cultural Freedom Demands Collective Courage

Consider joining the Arts Council and more than 140 cultural institutions across the United States that have signed a statement as demonstration of unity and mutual support in resisting political interference and upholding the integrity of their respective missions. This initiative is led by the National Coalition Against Censorship and the Vera List Center for Art and Politics.

Sign here: collective-courage.com

ICYMI: We’ve embedded a recent statement from the President in our Trump’s Impact on the Arts blog to show why this matters.

Connect With Your Congressperson

Request an In-District Meeting or Engagement 

Whether virtual or in person, these one-on-one conversations are one of the most effective ways to share what the arts mean to you. To support your message, you can use advocacy briefs prepared by the Americans for the Arts Arts Action Fund. If you run an arts organization, invite your elected officials to not just attend, but actively participate in your next event. Give them a visible role that allows them to engage directly with artists and audiences, and helps them connect policy to real results in their district.

Plan your outreach using our 2025 Congressional Calendar here: Take Action

Thanks for helping shape Pittsburgh's future through advocacy and action,

Patrick Fisher
CEO, Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council

PS. We’re grateful for the feedback many of you have shared about this newsletter’s value, and we thank you for subscribing, engaging, and adding strength to our collective voice. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Sign up now to be part of the movement. 

Has this email inspired you? Please consider supporting our advocacy initiatives by making a donation. Your contribution will position us to provide direct support to more artists and arts organizations so they're empowered to thrive in our region.

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