Your voice matters. From sharing input on fair contracting practices to participating in upcoming advocacy events, there are ways for everyone in our community to help shape a stronger, more equitable creative landscape. Read on for advocacy updates, news, and opportunities to get involved.

Update: Arts Priorities for City of Pittsburgh

All mayoral candidates and those leading the City of Pittsburgh’s comprehensive plan have received the nine priorities for the city’s arts and entertainment ecosystem, developed through a collaborative process with representatives from across the field and strengthened thanks to your feedback.

On October 16, representatives from regional cultural institutions met with Democratic candidate Corey O’Connor. During the discussion, O’Connor reiterated his interest in partnering with arts organizations to help activate community recreation centers during the late afternoon and early evening hours. He also expressed enthusiasm for utilizing vacant commercial buildings as venues for artist pop-ups. While O’Connor identified these initiatives as priorities should he be elected mayor, he did not outline clear pathways for compensating artists or arts organizations for their participation.

Staff from the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council will meet with Republican candidate Tony Moreno on October 24 to discuss arts and entertainment priorities. In addition, a meeting is scheduled with the City of Pittsburgh’s Planning Department on October 27 to explore how these priorities can be integrated into the city’s comprehensive plan.

It’s encouraging to see national recognition echoing what we already know: Pittsburgh’s arts and culture are central to its identity and future. National Geographic recently named Pittsburgh one of the Best Cities in the World to visit in 2026, spotlighting new performance venues and arts-led revitalization efforts. This kind of attention underscores why a strong, supported arts ecosystem must remain a priority for city leaders.

Building Fair Futures for Freelancers

After sharing in last month’s newsletter that we were exploring a campaign to encourage equity for contract work within the arts field, we heard from many of you that the issue goes far beyond merely W.A.G.E. standards. The message was clear: achieving true equity for freelancers and contractors in the arts field requires a broader approach that recognizes the unique realities of gig-based work. In response, we’ve broadened our approach to not only serve as a catalyst for fair pay, but also establish shared standards, accountability, and recognition for organizations that treat their freelance workforce equitably.

This initiative, Building Fair Futures for Freelancers, will help arts organizations evaluate and improve their contracting practices — from transparent pay to timely compensation and accessible opportunities — while celebrating those leading the way.

This campaign will also include the deployment of several creative interventions, informed by methodologies taught by the Center for Artistic Activism. These art-based initiatives are designed to not only raise awareness, but to engage the public by contextualizing the challenges faced by freelance and contract-based creative workers within a broader social and economic landscape. By using inventive, participatory approaches, the campaign will make the issues tangible, foster understanding, and inspire solidarity among both arts audiences and the wider community.

State and Federal Budget Impasses Continue

Pennsylvania has now been without a state budget for more than 100 days. The Republican-controlled Senate returned to session on October 20 and passed a budget proposal that has been criticized by the Democrat-majority House as being nearly identical to past versions. If the impasse is not resolved, we could see prolonged uncertainty around when funds will be distributed. In the current version of the budget, the line item for grants to the arts is maintained at the same level as last fiscal year.

In addition to the state budget impasse, the federal government shutdown is also causing issues across the state. SNAP benefits for Pennsylvanians are currently on hold due to the shutdown, and residents in need of food assistance are encouraged to call 211 or visit pa211.org.

Advocacy News

State of Live: A Study of Independent Venues
The National Independent Venues Association recently published The State of Live, the first comprehensive national economic research study examining independent live entertainment venues, festivals, promoters, and performing arts centers. The study included personalized reports for all 50 states and Washington, DC. 

Each report outlines the cultural and economic contributions of independent stages, including data on jobs, wages, tax revenue, and economic output, while also underscoring the challenges many face to remain profitable. In Pennsylvania, independent venues contributed $3.6 billion in economic impact, while only 28% of independent venues identified themselves as profitable in 2024, underscoring the urgent need for solutions to ensure their survival and sustainability.

Controversy Over GoFundMe Donation Pages
GoFundMe recently faced backlash after auto-creating donation pages for 1.4 million nonprofits without consent — including trademarked logos and default tips — but has since reversed course. Nonprofit pages remain, but the fundraising agency has removed the logos and optional tips unless an organization provides consent. Nonprofits interested in taking ownership of their own page, or requesting removal, can do so at gofundme.com/charity/claim/search.

More Noteworthy News

Ice Sculpture Spelling ‘Democracy’ Melts on National Mall in Washington, DC (ArtNews)

Hundreds of celebrities relaunch a McCarthy-era committee to defend free speech (NPR)

How art advocate Ny’Ree Hardyway is building a culture that values artists and their work (model D)

Time for Nonprofits to Generate Their Own Revenue for Political Power (Nonprofit Quarterly)

Pittsburgh is hailed for its affordable homes. How true are the headlines? (Public Source)

Advocacy Events

PA Legislature Arts & Culture Caucus Fall Networking Mixer
The PA Legislature Arts & Culture Caucus is charged with recognizing and advancing the arts throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Co-Chairs Sen. Jay Costa, Sen. Patrick Stefano, Rep. Joe Ciresi, and Rep. R. Lee James, along with the 44 other bi-partisan members of the Caucus, invite community partners from within the arts field to join them in Harrisburg on November 18 for networking and to engage around industry updates.

The event will be held at the State Capital Building at 8:30 a.m. in room 156. Interested in attending? RSVP to Meranda Harwood: mharwood@pasen.gov

National Fall of Freedom Events Support Artistic Freedom
Arts communities across the country are uniting on November 21-22 for Fall of Freedom, a national advocacy initiative of creative resistence “to unite in defiance of authoritarian forces sweeping the nation.” Visit falloffreedom.com to download a toolkit, register an event or exhibition, and view the list of participants, which currently includes former Pittsburgh-based artist vanessa german and the August Wilson African American Cultural Center.

Artists at Risk Connection

Defending and advancing the right to artistic freedom

Artists at Risk Connection, an independent organization originally incubated under PEN America, works to protect artists and cultural workers at risk due to their creative expression, often tied to their identities or roles within their communities. ARC helps artists navigate challenges such as persecution, censorship, harassment, threats, and violence from both state and non-state actors.

The Arts Council is proud to support ARC in their latest initiative to develop a U.S. adaptation of A Safety Guide for Artists. We’ll provide updates on how you can participate in their new survey at our next Creative Hive community-building event in Sharpsburg this Tuesday, October 28, and in next month’s newsletter. 

Advocacy Efforts Save Public Transit Stop

Over 1,400 people signed a petition in opposition of the removal

We celebrate the community members and elected officials who spoke up to save a popular public transit stop from leaving The Waterfront development. Following a public petition and opposition from U.S. Rep. Summer Lee and Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, The Waterfront’s owner reversed its request for Pittsburgh Regional Transit to remove bus stops from the property. 

Allegheny County Celebrates Housing Initiative

More than 500 individuals have been provided with housing

This week, Allegheny County officials announced that their ‘500 in 500’ housing initiative, which kicked off in June 2024, has been successful. According to WESA, the initiative has helped house 622 people, and 83 people are in the process of moving into housing. We celebrate this effort, one that's relevant to our sector. As found in our most recent Artist Community Survey Report, affordable housing remains one of the top barriers to artistic career advancement.

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.

Election Day 2025
 

Election day is Tuesday, November 4. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Find your local polling place to vote in person and explore these election guides before heading to the polls:

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

Patrick Fisher
CEO, Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council

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