As summer heats up, so does the urgency of advocacy and action. From convening with Pittsburgh’s mayoral candidates to seeking direct dialogue with members of Congress, the Arts Council continues to elevate the voices and priorities of our region’s creative and cultural sectors.

This month, we’re covering the latest developments in funding cuts for public broadcasting, early implications of Trump’s federal spending bill, and how Pennsylvania compares to neighboring states like Ohio in public investment in the arts. You'll also meet two local advocates using their platforms to push for justice, expression, and equity.

Building Bridges with Mayoral Candidates

On July 1, the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council convened members of an arts advisory group for a meeting with Corey O’Connor, Democratic nominee for Mayor of Pittsburgh. Our conversation centered on how a future administration could better support the city’s arts and entertainment sectors, particularly through low-cost, high-impact solutions.

O’Connor outlined three initial priorities should he be elected this fall:

The group will reconvene independently in the weeks ahead to identify 3-5 key priorities to present to a future administration, guided by a newly developed rubric to help evaluate and elevate the most impactful, feasible, and equitable recommendations.

The Arts Council has also emailed Republican mayoral candidate Tony Moreno to offer a similar dialogue between him and the arts sector.

Seeking Federal Engagement

The Arts Council has reached out to Sen. John Fetterman, Sen. Dave McCormick, and Rep. Summer Lee to request meetings during the August recess while they are in their home districts. If granted, the Arts Council plans to invite a group of individuals representing the arts sector to share their voices and perspectives with these elected officials. The goal is to ensure the priorities and challenges of our cultural community are considered in federal decision-making and resource allocation.

On July 16, Sen. Fetterman’s office responded:

“Thank you for your interest in meeting with Senator Fetterman and for taking the time to reach out. Unfortunately, due to the overwhelming demand for the Senator's time, our team has determined that it is not possible for Senator Fetterman to meet with your group at this time.”

In response, we have asked his team to share future dates this calendar year when a meeting might be possible.

Building Advocacy Capacity

The Arts Council is currently in active conversations with Creative Ohio regarding the potential licensing of their Advocacy Leadership Institute curriculum. This program equips arts leaders with the skills, strategies, and confidence necessary to influence public policy and build lasting relationships with elected officials. 

Advocacy News

$1.1 Billion Cut from Public Broadcasting
Both the Senate and House have approved a White House request to rescind $1.1 billion in federal funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which supports NPR and PBS. The funding cuts are already being felt in Pittsburgh:

H.R.1’s Impact on Nonprofits
On July 4, Donald Trump signed H.R.1, known as “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” into law. While the bill reinstates the Charitable Act, allowing more individuals to deduct charitable gifts regardless of whether they itemize, this small win is overshadowed by the tremendous strain the bill places on the nonprofit sector. 

Recommended reads:

To speak plainly, this bill increases harm to LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants, single parents, people with disabilities, and communities of color. H.R.1 does not simply reduce federal support, it deepens existing inequities and leaves the nonprofit sector, and the communities we serve, even more vulnerable. 

New Report: Federal Cuts Could Stall Progress
PA CultureCheck 2025, a statewide report by PA Humanities in collaboration with the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, reveals growing momentum in Pennsylvania’s cultural sector, alongside urgent calls for investment to sustain its growing impact on communities.

At a time when the federal government is targeting our most vulnerable communities, protecting the arts is more urgent than ever. We need to collectively make sure these findings fuel real action and advocacy so that future reports reflect not only recovery, but continued growth and resilience in our region’s arts and culture sector.

Ohio’s Arts Budget Sets Historic High
The Ohio Arts Council received a record-high appropriation of $51 million for FY24–25. Thanks to collective advocacy and strong support from the Ohio Legislature, the budget included an increase of $500,000 per year for the agency’s operating expenses and another $500,000 per year for grants and state program subsidies. The final budget for FY26–27 allocates $53.49 million to the Ohio Arts Council.

In contrast, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA) has a total appropriation of $10.878 million for FY25–26; $1.288 million for operations and $9.59 million for Grants to the Arts. Funding for Pennsylvania’s grantmaking has remained flat since 2015. As a result, Pennsylvania ranks 33rd in state arts funding, investing just $0.82 per resident, according to the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies.

Advocacy Events

artEquity is inviting organizations to participate in Strategies for Change: Becoming an Antiracist Organization.

This two-part training on how to launch, sustain, and engage antiracism in your institution will be held on September 5 & 12, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. via Zoom.

Registration is $285. The cost of registration goes toward facilitation fees, access services, and technical + administrative support.

Americans for the Arts and the Arts Action Fund host their next Office Hours with Our Arts Advocacy Team this Friday, July 25, at 2 p.m.

The session will cover the latest updates from Capitol Hill and share insights from advocates across nine states who participated in July Legislative Fly-Ins, held during key congressional markups affecting NEA and NEH funding.

Panelists will reflect on their time in D.C., the messages that resonated with lawmakers, and the potential impact on federal arts and humanities funding.

Farooq Al-Said

Farooq Al-Said, Director of Education at 1Hood Media and a Pittsburgh-based hip-hop artist, has been a steadfast advocate for his community, using his voice to confront systemic injustices. From speaking out against ICE raids targeting immigrant communities to addressing the shortcomings of the City of Pittsburgh’s Stop the Violence Fund, Farooq continues to lead with courage and conviction. We commend him, and the entire teams at 1Hood Media and 1Hood Power, for their unwavering commitment to justice and equity. 

Kirsten Ervin

A visual artist, educator, and community builder, Kirsten Ervin demonstrated the power of creative action by organizing two artist-led fundraisers to benefit the ACLU. She mobilized artists to contribute work priced between $15 and $100, ensuring accessibility while raising more than $4,000 to protect and defend fundamental rights. Through these exhibitions, Kirsten demonstrated how art and artists can respond to rising threats to civil liberties.

Center for Artistic Activism

The Center for Artistic Activism continues to serve as a vital resource to the arts sector, offering timely information, practical training, and a powerful reminder that joy is not a luxury but a necessity, even in the most difficult times. Their commitment to equipping changemakers with the tools to be effective and imaginative remains essential.

Eli Kurs-Lasky

As an autistic writer and photographer, Eli Kurs-Lasky confronts social stigma and creative impasses head-on. In his July 3 essay for PublicSource, he not only documents the harm past leaders have inflicted by labeling autism as a “tragedy,” he also highlights the healing power of artistic expression. Eli demonstrates a commitment to show up for his community even when fear urges him to hide. Eli uses his art to forge connections, normalize neurodiversity, and inspire others.

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.

Pennsylvania State Budget

As reported by WESA, Pennsylvania’s state budget is weeks late and “almost no one can say what it currently includes.”

While lawmakers continue to negotiate, the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance is asking for the public’s support in advocating for a $1 million increase to the PA Grants to the Arts line item for FY25–26, bringing total funding to $10.59 million.

NEA, NEH Face 35% in Budget Cuts

The House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee has proposed significant cuts to the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, recommending a 35% reduction for each agency, as reported by Americans for the Arts. If enacted, this would reduce each agency’s budgets from $207 million to $135 million.

Americans for the Arts is asking supporters to join them in standing up for the arts by:

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

Patrick Fisher
CEO, Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council

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