Advocacy is Power. 

Advocacy is the force behind every policy shift, every investment in our sector, and every opportunity that allows artists and cultural organizations to thrive. But advocacy cannot be sustained if we're always reacting to crises or decisions already made. It requires the capacity to be proactive, strategic, and present at the tables where our community’s future is shaped. As we close out 2025, I’m reminded that real power in advocacy comes from planning ahead, building relationships before they’re needed, and ensuring the arts have a consistent, informed, and unified voice.

In 2026, the Arts Council is prepared to lead boldly. We will publish this monthly Advocacy in the Arts newsletter, work to implement the Fair Deal Checklist and Index developed with the Equity Impact Center, and bring local and state decision-makers directly into our arts spaces through a spring trolley tour. We will also license and pilot CreativeOhio’s Advocacy Leadership Institute program here in Southwestern Pennsylvania, strengthening the political will of our sector. And we will continue to engage city and county leadership as they shape their comprehensive plans, while preparing for the county’s anticipated investment in a cultural plan.

As we publish this final issue of 2025, I ask you, if you believe, as we do, that Advocacy is Power, to consider making a charitable donation to the Arts Council. Your support directly fuels our ability to be proactive, present, and persistent in championing the arts across our region. Together, we can enter 2026 ready not just to respond to change, but to help shape it.

Fair Deal Checklist and Index

The Arts Council has officially formalized a partnership with the Equity Impact Center to advance the Fair Deal Checklist and Index. To ensure this advocacy initiative reflects the lived experiences and needs of our stakeholders, we hosted three focus groups this month. Two sessions engaged independent artists and arts workers; the third brought together organizations with a history of contracting gig workers and non-W2 labor.

The insights shared in these sessions, along with our ongoing one-on-one conversations, are directly shaping the development of the checklist. These discussions have also validated the need for both the checklist and the index: while each participant shared individual experiences, together they revealed clear patterns, underscoring that these challenges are systemic rather than isolated.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who has spoken with us so far. Your trust, candor, and willingness to share your first-hand experiences and insights are essential to building a tool that truly serves our region’s creative workforce.

We will finalize the Fair Deal Checklist by the end of January so we can begin meeting with organizations to discuss adoption and implementation. In parallel, we will begin building a resource library to support organizations as they work toward equitable contracting practices. This library will also include tools and guidance for independent artists and contract arts workers, empowering them to advocate for themselves, navigate contract work with greater confidence, and maintain agency in their careers.

Showcasing Impact in Action: Spring 2026 Trolley Tour

This spring, the Arts Council piloted a new approach to engaging local, state, and philanthropic leaders in our advocacy efforts, creating opportunities for deeper, firsthand understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing nonprofit arts organizations.

The inaugural advocacy trolley tour received overwhelmingly positive feedback, and we are excited to plan a similar engagement for spring 2026. The first tour featured the Pittsburgh Glass Center, Contemporary Craft, Union Project, and Radiant Hall — four organizations that not only shared compelling stories about leveraging public investments but were also conveniently located within a 10-minute trolley ride of one another, making for an engaging and cohesive experience. 

For the 2026 tour, we plan to expand the experience by including performing arts organizations and featuring a wider range of neighborhoods, offering an even richer view of Pittsburgh’s vibrant arts ecosystem.

Creative Roots, Lasting Impact: How Artist Housing Can Revitalize Urban Cores

What if downtown revitalization isn’t just about buildings, but about people? Specifically, investing in artists as the heart of a more vibrant, inclusive city.

I explore this idea in the most recent issue of The Art Supply Co.’s Journal. The timing feels especially relevant.

I’m excited to share an update on an affordable housing opportunity for artists coming soon to Pittsburgh’s Cultural District. This spring, Hullett Properties identified a building that could be converted into artist-preferred housing. The Arts Council put out a call to see whether enough Pittsburgh-based artists met income eligibility requirements and were interested in having Arts Landing as their backyard — the answer was a resounding yes. 

Because of that feedback, Hullett Properties plans to open the waitlist applications for 800 Penn at the end of this month, with leasing expected to begin in February 2026. Housing will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s critical that artists have all materials organized and ready to submit the moment applications open. To help with this, Hullett Properties has provided a list of required documents (including HUD Public Housing Program criteria) that will be needed as part of the online-only application.

Note: There will be a standard application fee of no more than $60 per applicant, which covers required background screening. If you anticipate this being a concern, please let us know and we’ll provide that feedback to Hullett Properties. 

Other News of Interest:

Sallyann Kluz

Sallyann Kluz, Executive Director of Shiftworks Community + Public Arts, has been a steady, informed, and objective advocate for advancing the City of Pittsburgh’s comprehensive plan as it undergoes review and scrutiny from members of City Council. Her clear articulation of the plan’s importance, particularly its role in shaping a more equitable, sustainable, and community-driven future, has helped ground the conversation in facts and long-term impact.

She has actively engaged others, including the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, creating opportunities for broader understanding and community support. Sallyann’s commitment to transparency, collaboration, and civic responsibility exemplifies bold, values-driven advocacy at a moment when it is deeply needed.

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.

Stories Unite Us

Americans for the Arts is launching 50 Stories, 50 States, a national storytelling campaign inviting people across the country to share how the arts and humanities have shaped their lives, communities, and identities.

Stand with Nonprofits

Across the country, policymakers are questioning the integrity of our sector and jeopardizing funding for vital services. Join the National Council of Nonprofits in letting lawmakers know you value the work nonprofits do in our community. 

Take the National Artist Safety Survey

ARC - Artists at Risk Connection has extended their deadline to participate in The National Artist Safety Survey, in partnership with a group of arts and culture organizations, including the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council.

Your responses will inform the upcoming U.S. Safety Guide for Artists and Cultural Workers. The survey is open through January 31, 2026. (If you share this survey, please do so only via email or via private messages.)

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

Patrick Fisher
CEO, Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council

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