The City of Pittsburgh is known for its rich contributions to the canon of Black cultural creativity. Cultural experiences and creative innovations have always reflected the expressions and imaginations of people from the African diaspora. The Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh program is where access and opportunity connect with Pittsburgh artists who are thriving in their creative process as a means and a way of life.
The program is committed to helping to create a vibrant cultural life in Pittsburgh and the region. Until 2023, the program was co-managed in partnership with The Heinz Endowments. Currently the program is managed by The Pittsburgh Foundation, with both foundations consistently making investments towards this initiative since 1988.
The program goals are to:
- Help build the careers and support the lives of individual artists.
- Increase the sustainability of cultural organizations that focus on Black arts.
- Build community awareness of the Black arts sector.
- Support efforts toward greater collaboration and the elimination of racial disparities within the larger arts sector.
- Prioritize the documentation and discussion of Black artists’ work and wellbeing as part of the region’s cultural health.
- Support work that directly addresses and calls for the eradication of systemic and structural racism that allows for disparities to exist.
2023 APPLICATION PROCESS
The application for the 2023 grant cycle is now closed.
We encourage you to take a moment to review the program guidelines and application process.
WATCH THE Q&A SESSIONView a recording of the Q&A session held on March 23 to learn more about the program and application process. |
GRANT PROGRAM GUIDELINESLearn more about the Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh grant program and the available funding opportunities.
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HOW TO APPLYNOTE: The program has switched to accepting applications through a different online platform. To familiarize yourself with this new application format, before applying, please review the following for help creating a profile and submitting an online application:
If you have more questions, please email us at arts [at] pghfdn.org (arts[at]pghfdn[dot]org). |
APPLY NOWApplication period is now closed. Funding decisions will be announced within six months of the application deadline. Due to the large number of requests expected in special initiatives, requests for assistance should allow for ample time prior to the day of the deadline. Please note that questions received on the day the application is due may not be answered due to capacity constraints. |
Should you have questions about a current Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh grant, or general inquiry about the program, please email us at arts [at] pghfdn.org (arts[at]pghfdn[dot]org).
About Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh: The Advancing Black Arts program is where access and opportunity meet with Pittsburgh artists who are thriving in their creative process as a means and a way of life. Video by Emmai Alaquiva for The Heinz Endowments and The Pittsburgh Foundation.
Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh Symposium: Black artists, cultural organizations and creatives gathered for the inaugural Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh Symposium, Sept. 19 and 20, 2019, at the MuseumLab on the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh’s North Side campus. The theme: "There is Black Art in the Future: Securing and Growing Black Creative Communities." The symposium, captured in this video, included insightful sessions, on-site consultations and TED-style talks. The event was free and all were welcome. Special thanks to the organizing committee for creating this event and to Emmai Alaquiva and Ya Momz House, Inc. for this video.
Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh BBQ: A collaboration by The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Heinz Endowments, the Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh program held its first-ever Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh BBQ in August 2019. This community gathering celebrated our grantees past and present. Video by Emmai Alaquiva for The Heinz Endowments and The Pittsburgh Foundation.
Read about past awardees of Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh funding: