The Arts & Culture Program works to create an outstanding cultural ecology that is accessible to all the citizens of the region. Its goals:

Arts and Culture Play a Central Role in the Education of Children in Pittsburgh. The Heinz Endowments is committed to the belief that arts education plays a critical role in quality education for children. We further believe that in order for the arts to become a larger part of the lives of children, particularly children from lower socio-economic backgrounds, there must be a concerted effort to support the coordinated delivery of high-quality arts education in public school systems and out-of-school programs. (click here for more detail)

• Make measurable improvement in the delivery of arts education in the Pittsburgh Public Schools and select school districts.
• Expand opportunities for children to have high-quality arts experiences in out-of-school settings.
  

Pittsburgh has a Healthy Arts and Culture Ecology. Our funding programs will reflect our belief in the importance of a healthy, diverse arts and culture ecology consisting of large, mid-sized and small cultural organizations, a vibrant individual artist community, and an engaged public. (more detail)

• Support a rich array of cultural organizations that are diverse in size, discipline, ethnicity and artistic mission.
• Increase the operational strength, capacity and efficiency of Pittsburgh arts organizations.
• Establish programs and initiatives that help to create a supportive environment for local artists.
  

Pittsburgh’s Arts and Cultural Resources Advance Broad Community Goals and are a Major Competitive Advantage. Arts and cultural resources have an important economic and civic role to play in Pittsburgh. It is critical that cultural institutions reach beyond their “four walls” to work at the intersection of the cultural, economic and community development sectors in order to play an important part in the region’s success. (more detail)

• Ensure that arts and culture are an integral component of a strong downtown.
• Connect the arts and culture sector to broader civic agendas.
  

(updated 10/2009)