What matters most to artists and arts organizations right now? Your input last month helped shape the priorities we're presenting to mayoral candidates. This month, we’re continuing that work by offering new opportunities to share your voice. Read on for ways to get involved and help ensure our advocacy reflects the true needs of the community we serve.

Arts as Intervention: Measuring — and Sharing — Our Impact

During last week’s Eradicate Hate Global Summit in Pittsburgh, I attended a Pennsylvania stakeholders meeting where leaders discussed the rise of targeted violence and the growing threat of hate to communities statewide.

Experts underscored that people who feel isolated, disconnected, or without purpose are particularly vulnerable to manipulation and radicalization. A key theme was how the absence of identity, community, and purpose — especially among youth — fuels the spread of hate.

I believe our sector can offer a unique and powerful response. Greater access to creative processes, safe spaces for emotional expression, and meaningful participation in the arts all contribute to stronger identity, deeper community connections, and renewed purpose. The arts aren’t just enrichment, they’re intervention.

But to stand as allies in this work, we must also measure and demonstrate our impact. How can we, as a sector, create shared metrics that show how participating in the arts and humanities protects folks against isolation, disconnection, and lack of purpose?

I’d love to connect with others who are interested in exploring this. Would you be open to a conversation about how we might collaboratively define and use shared metrics to track our impact in these critical areas? Sign up here!

Shaping Our Next Advocacy Campaign: Artist Equity

We’re developing our next advocacy campaign — and we want your input.

Two weeks ago, I participated in the Center for Artistic Activism’s Innovation for Impact Leadership Intensive, a training that equips artists and advocates to turn creativity into action. With C4AA’s guidance, the Arts Council is preparing to launch an advocacy campaign focused on a critical local issue: artist equity.

Too often, artists are asked to provide unpaid labor through competitive calls or proposals, with little more than the promise of exposure. While we’ve taken a clear stance against these practices, we believe we can do more. 

This campaign gives us the opportunity to uplift compensation standards set by Working Artists and the Greater Economy (W.A.G.E.) and to partner with arts organizations in understanding the internal barriers that may prevent them from adopting and upholding these practices. 

We want to hear from you: Does this focus resonate? What challenges do you see as most urgent for our arts community? We’d love your feedback. 

Engaging Future Arts Leaders: Classroom Conversations

Last week, I had the pleasure of being a guest presenter in two Carnegie Mellon University Master of Arts Management classes. I joined Dr. Brett Ashley Crawford’s Arts Enterprise course and Shaunda McDill’s Arts and Community Development class, where we explored a range of issues impacting the arts sector and those who work within it. It was inspiring to engage with students passionate about arts advocacy and to share insights on a variety of strategies and approaches. Many thanks to both Dr. Crawford and Shaunda McDill for welcoming the Arts Council into their classrooms.

Advocacy News

‘That is not the law’: Bondi promised to target ‘hate speech.’ She’s facing backlash from all corners. (Politico)

While it is critical to acknowledge the harm caused by hate, it’s equally important to remember that hate speech is currently protected under the First Amendment. In the immediate aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, Attorney General Bondi pledged to prosecute hate speech. She has since walked back that statement, clarifying that her office will not investigate or prosecute anyone solely for alleged hate speech.

Even so, it was chilling to hear such a direct threat to the First Amendment come from the nation’s top law enforcement office. And while federal prosecutors may not pursue hate speech as a crime, we are already seeing evidence of the federal administration targeting individuals for their remarks.

Even after Jimmy Kimmel's show returned to ABC this week after it was temporarily pulled off the air due to the FCC threatening action over his comments following Kirk's death, threats remain. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr pledges to continue his campaign against what he perceives as liberal bias in broadcasts, despite opposition from both sides of the political spectrum.

More Noteworthy News

‘The news devastated me’: Pennsylvania NPR station will be first in the US to go dark following Trump’s cuts (The Spokesman-Review)

Court Rules in Favor of Artists, Free Speech, in Case Against the National Endowment for the Arts (ACLU)

Trump Orders National Park to Remove Famed Photograph of Formerly Enslaved Man (ArtNews)

Lee, Innamorato aim to ‘fight back’ on Trump budget plan as Congress debates (Pittsburgh’s Public Source)

Advocacy Events

Community Gatherings with County Executive Sara Innamorato 
Register to join Allegheny County Executive Innamorato and key Allegheny County departments for County Connect, a series of informal gatherings across the county where residents, community leaders, and elected officials can share ideas, ask questions, and build connections. These sessions are a great opportunity for arts workers and creatives to provide elected officials with direct feedback.

The following events will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and are all family-friendly:

The Future of Pennsylvania Nonprofits Series
Join Grantmakers of Western Pennsylvania, Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia, and Pennsylvania Community Foundation Association for Federal Cuts, Freezes, and Agency Downsizing: PA Nonprofit Impact, part of a webinar series examining the challenges and opportunities facing Pennsylvania nonprofits. 

This session, held from 12-1 p.m. on October 21, will explore the impact of federal funding freezes, agency downsizing, and executive orders on the nonprofit sector.

Kelly Strayhorn Theater and 1Hood Media

Breaking down government systems

We celebrate Kelly Strayhorn Theater and 1Hood Media for their partnership on Civics Cypher. Hosted by Miracle Jones, 1Hood Media’s Director of Policy and Advocacy, the program offers live sessions that break down government systems and civic rights in an engaging, accessible way. We love seeing bold partnerships like this, especially when the arts are leveraged as a powerful tool for civic education.

In Memoriam: Vincent Scotti Eirene

"A voice for the poor and for nonviolence"

We join others across the region in celebrating the life of Pittsburgh-based advocate Vincent Scotti Eirene who passed away earlier this month. Vincent was a longtime activist for numerous social justice issues, including work that gave a voice to the homeless, environmental concerns, and more. He also frequently shared quotes in support of the arts on social media, and was a published author and the founder/host of Blast Furnace Radio, one of the first internet radio stations. Rest in power.

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.

Plan for November Outreach and Engagement

Request an In-District Meeting or Engagement 

Both the House and Senate are in session for most of October, but now is the perfect time to start contacting your federal representatives. Engaging them during their November recess is an excellent opportunity to request a meeting in their home districts or invite them to arts events. Our Take Action page includes a calendar to help you track when Senators and Representatives will be away from Capitol Hill.

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.