Advocacy is producing real results at the state level. Below you’ll find details on how sustained community pressure is driving change at the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts — and the harder questions we’re still asking about whether the agency’s new direction actually reflects what the field asked for. Our recent On the Ground, In Community trolley tour also offered a timely reminder of what’s at stake, and what endures when arts investment is rooted in communities. Alongside all of this, threats to federal funding remain unresolved. Read on for updates, resources, and actions to keep you informed and engaged. Thank you, as always, for showing up for this work.

The Data Doesn’t Match the Direction: A Closer Look at PCA’s New Path

The PCA/PCI has consistently cited its 2024 listening process — more than 800 survey responses and nine regional community conversations — as the foundation for its new Creative Industries direction. We’ve looked closely at that data, and we think it’s worth asking: does the new direction actually reflect what the field said?

We’ve written about this in depth on our blog post — Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Asked What the Field Needed. Then It Did Something Else — including a detailed look at what a strategic plan genuinely responsive to the field’s input could look like. 

That said, advocacy is making a difference. In direct response to sustained community feedback, PCA/PCI is now considering a general operating support program for arts organizations and programs with average annual budgets between $10,000 and $100,000. This is a meaningful sign that the field’s voice is being heard on at least one critical gap. Staff recommendations are still in development and have not yet gone before the Council for a vote, so this is a moment to stay engaged, not to stand down.

Details on two upcoming PCA/PCI events where you can make your voice heard are in the News & Events section below.

On the Ground, in Community: Trolley Tour Debrief

On May 1, the Arts Council hosted its second annual On the Ground, In Community trolley tour, bringing elected officials, municipal staff, policy partners, and philanthropic funders to the North Side, Sharpsburg, and East Liberty for a firsthand look at arts investment in action.

Visits to the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, City of Asylum, Kelly Strayhorn Theater, ZYNKA Gallery, and Atithi Studios surfaced consistent themes: arts organizations are among the earliest investors in Pittsburgh's neighborhoods, affordability attracts artists but opportunity is what retains them, and the ecosystem's health depends on supporting all of its parts — not just nonprofits. Pittsburgh is at an inflection point, and the decisions made now will shape what endures.

Read the full debrief on our blog: On the Ground, In Community: What We Saw, What We Heard, and What Pittsburgh Must Decide

35% Funding Cuts Proposed to NEA and NEH

On May 21, the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee passed its version of the FY27 Appropriations bill, proposing $135 million each for the NEA and NEH — a 35% cut from current funding levels. According to the American for the Arts Action Fund, the House bill also proposes raising the state arts agency formula from 40% to 53% of total available funds, a change they oppose because it would significantly reduce the pool of direct grants available to local arts organizations. 

Statewide Effort Continues 

We’re continuing our regional outreach as part of Creative Pennsylvania’s statewide effort to secure letters of support from members of the General Assembly for a $5 million increase to the grants to the arts line item in the state budget. Next week, I’ll be in Harrisburg and have sent requests to meet with members of the Appropriations Committee, prioritizing those serving Allegheny, Beaver, Greene, Fayette, Washington, and Westmoreland counties whom we haven’t yet had the opportunity to meet with.

Policy Literacy for the Creative Sector

ADC consulting published a free, open-source educational template created for creative workers and organizations who want to better understand, or teach others about, the intersection of the arts and public policy. The template includes an editable slide deck, a sample facilitation script, and a curated bibliography, covering topics from how government works to how the creative sector can take action.

Basic Income for the Arts pilot produced over €100 million in Social and Economic Benefits

Ireland's three-year pilot providing 2,000 artists with an unconditional weekly payment is now permanent — and the numbers back it up, according to Hyperallergic. Every euro (~$1.18) invested generated €1.39 (~$1.64) in social value, with benefits including increased arts productivity, improved wellbeing, and stronger audience engagement.

Other News of Interest:

PA Creative Industries Special Council Meeting | June 4

» Join via Microsoft Teams

Pennsylvania Creative Industries' quarterly virtual Council meeting — originally scheduled for May and cancelled due to technical difficulties — has been rescheduled to 9 a.m. on June 4. These meetings are open to the public and include time for public comment: if you'd like to speak, email Laura Kline at laurakline@pa.gov to register. As noted above, your voice can make a difference, so please consider joining us to ensure that the state agency hears our concerns.

Defeating Authoritarianism with Stacey Abrams | June 15

» Register here

The Center for Artistic Activism is hosting a 90-minute workshop on disrupting authoritarian narratives, featuring Stacey Abrams, C4AA's Steve Lambert, and narrative strategist Janelle Treibitz. Attendees will leave with tools for developing creative actions that address authoritarian power and building a better way forward.

PCA’s Grants and Opportunities Workshop in Pittsburgh | June 17

» Register here

Pennsylvania Creative Industries is hosting a Grants and Opportunities Workshop in Pittsburgh on Tue., June 17, from 1-3 p.m. at the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (42 21st Street, Suite 101, also available virtually). This is a direct opportunity to hear about PCA/PCI’s new programs, ask questions, and make sure voices from our region are part of the conversation. Given the significant changes underway, and the questions many in our community have about whether those changes reflect what the field actually asked for, showing up matters. Come prepared with your questions, bring a colleague, and let PCA/PCI staff hear from you in person. 

Point Breeze Organization

The Point Breeze Organization is an all-volunteer nonprofit working to enhance quality of life in Point Breeze through social, charitable, educational, and beautification efforts. One of their current priorities is restoring the Marshall Building in Mellon Park to its intended purpose. Gifted to Pittsburgh in 1943 as a space for community members, artists, and organizations to gather, create, and connect, the building was home to the offices and galleries of the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts for decades, but the building has sat largely unused since 2019. Today, it functions primarily as a CitiParks storage facility. 

Join them and a growing coalition of stakeholders at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, June 9 at 10 a.m. at the City-County Building (414 Grant Street, 5th Floor) — or sign up to speak by calling 412-255-2138 or submitting the Pittsburgh City Council Speaker Form by 9 a.m. the morning of the meeting. Written comments can be sent to cityclerksoffice@pittsburghpa.gov.

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.

Take the 2026 National Arts Policy Survey

Americans for the Arts is collecting input from across the field to shape their federal policy agenda — and your voice matters. The 2026 National Arts Policy Survey takes just two minutes to complete. Responses are open through the end of May, and localized findings will be shared back with participating communities. Take the survey and share it with your networks.

Contact Your U.S. Representative to Support Increased FY27 NEA & NEH Funding

With a 35% cut to the NEA and NEH proposed in the House, now is the time to make your voice heard. A coalition of labor and arts unions — including Actors' Equity, IATSE, and the AFM — has an active, one-click letter campaign asking readers to urge their House representative to sign the NEA and NEH appropriations request letters currently circulating in Congress. Please take two minutes to add your voice.

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

Patrick Fisher
CEO, Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council

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