20 Ways to Support Living and Working Artists
As the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council approaches its 20th anniversary, we’re reflecting on two decades of work supporting the artists who bring creativity to, and tell the story of, our region. Artists play a key role in shaping the character of our communities, but—as revealed in our recent Artist Community Survey Report—many continue to face significant challenges, including financial insecurity and limited public visibility. Despite years of effort to uplift and advocate for artists, many of the issues impacting their quality of life in Pittsburgh remain unchanged. These persistent barriers highlight the need for more robust support and systemic change.
1. Hire Artists for Workshops
Engage artists to lead workshops as part of your organization’s team-building exercises or employee incentives. This not only fosters creativity but also provides direct income to artists. When hiring artists, reference Working Artists and the Greater Economy (W.A.G.E) to obtain baselines for equitable compensation.
2. Commission Public Art
Collaborate with public artists to create installations, murals, or sculptures. Public art adds vibrancy to communities and increases visibility for artists. Unsure how to get started? Community organizations and Facebook groups are great places to encourage others to come together to support paid artistic additions to your neighborhood. We also recommend connecting with Shiftworks Community + Public Arts, which provides management tools to help educate entities on best practices for hiring public artists, and the Art Supply Co., which offers full-service consulting services for projects of all sizes.
3. Amplify Artists’ Voices by Sharing their Interviews, Profiles, or Work on Social Media
Engaging with artists’ social media posts—a simple share, comment, or even a like—can introduce artists to new audiences and opportunities. This becomes especially impactful when content is shared beyond the Pittsburgh region, allowing Pittsburgh-based artists to connect with new markets and diverse audiences. By expanding their reach, you help elevate their visibility, creating pathways for growth and collaboration with individuals and communities outside the area. And don’t forget—it’s always important to credit the artists when you share their work, and never use their artwork on your own platforms without their permission.
4. Purchase Event Tickets
Support performing artists by attending live shows, concerts, and theater productions. Your attendance sustains their work and helps them grow their audience. Hosting an event? Leave room in your budget to hire a local band, musician, or DJ to perform live instead of relying on a preprogrammed playlist.
5. Build Regional Art Collections
Start a personal or corporate collection featuring works by artists living and working in the region. While we deeply value the contributions of Pittsburgh’s artists from the past, focusing on artists living and working in the region today has a more immediate impact. These collections not only provide crucial financial support to contemporary artists but also celebrate the vibrant talent shaping our region's cultural landscape in the present moment. Some good places to start include ZYNKA Gallery, Boxheart Gallery, James Gallery, and Concept Art Gallery, but these are not the only local offerings. If you’d like to discuss ways to start or grow your collection, or would like recommendations based on a specific area of interest, we’d be happy to schedule a time to meet and discuss approaches with you.
6. Collaborate on Grant Programs
Work with the Arts Council to establish a grant program funded annually, ensuring artists have access to the resources they need to pursue their work. In the past, we’ve teamed up with corporate entities to create initiatives like the BNY Mellon Audience Development Fund, which supported low-budget arts and culture organizations in expanding the reach, influence and effectiveness of their audience development efforts. If you are able to provide the financial resources, our team would love to collaborate with your organization to help make the program a success.
7. Advocate for Artists and Arts-Friendly Policies
Write to elected officials, share this report with them, and advocate for policies that protect and support the arts community. Advocacy can lead to impactful systemic change. Unsure who represents your district? Use this easy form to input your address and quickly find contact info for your elected officials at the federal, state, and local levels. In addition to signing up for our own Arts Advocacy alerts, we also recommend joining Americans for the Arts ACTION Fund, which provides a Pennsylvania social media toolkit to help get you started. You can also participate in public forums and discussions about arts policy, ensuring that diverse voices—including artists themselves—are heard.
8. Sponsor an Artist to Attend an Art Fair or Market
Many artists face significant financial barriers when applying to or attending art fairs and markets, which are critical opportunities for career growth. Applications to be featured in popular markets like the Three Rivers Arts Festival are highly sought after by artists, but even after acceptance, artists are still required to pay a fee to secure their booth. Direct sponsorship of an artist can help reduce these barriers, enabling them to connect with new audiences and showcase their work, especially outside the Pittsburgh community. This can provide more opportunities for local artists to be seen by a national audience, as demonstrated by Women of Vision’s recent exhibition that brought the work of 20 Black Pittsburgh artists to Miami. Your sponsorship can make a profound difference in fostering their artistic journey and expanding their reach.
9. Host Artists-in-Residence
Provide paid opportunities for artists to work in your organization, school, or community, offering them a platform to share their process and enrich the environment. Consider partnering with organizations like Pittsburgh Center for Arts & Media for arts-in-education residencies; for municipal arts residencies, Shiftwork is a great resource. You can also hire artists to teach workshops or lead programs in schools and community centers. They inspire creativity and provide valuable mentorship to the next generation. If you need a hand to get started, we’d be happy to make a connection.
10. Start a Book Club
Start a book club with friends, co-workers, or family that highlights books, poetry collections, and other written works by regional writers. Purchase these works from local bookstores to support the literary arts. By doing so, you help preserve and uplift the unique stories and voices of our region.
11. Volunteer with Arts Organizations
Donate your time to nonprofits that serve the arts community. Volunteers are critical to ensuring these organizations can deliver their missions effectively. A few organizations currently seeking volunteers in various areas, from construction to concessions, are queer-normative art venue Glitterbox Theater and Downtown institution, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. Looking for a longer commitment? One of the most impactful nonprofit volunteer roles is serving on a Board of Directors, where you can help provide your expertise in areas like accounting or marketing to help an organization you align with achieve its mission.
12. Collaborate with Literary Artists
Hire writers for storytelling sessions, company history projects, or creative campaigns. Want to launch a monthly blog post from your executive leadership, but they don’t have the capacity to write it themselves? Consider hiring a ghostwriter. Their unique perspectives can elevate your messaging. We'd be happy to provide recommendations of freelance writers if you need guidance.
13. Create Opportunities for Exhibition
Encourage local businesses, including restaurants, coffee shops, and property managers, to reimagine their walls as opportunities for showcasing contemporary art. Partnering with artists to exhibit their work in these spaces can enhance the environment while offering artists increased visibility and new audiences. This collaboration can spark meaningful connections between the arts and the local community. If you own a business that has the ability to showcase artwork, team up with a local arts consulting agency, such as The Art Supply Co. or Offroute Art, to help connect you with artists eager to exhibit their work.
14. Give Gifts Made by Local Makers
Choose items by local makers as personal or corporate gifts. This not only supports local makers but also introduces their work and brands to new audiences. Look for a store section on your favorite artists’ websites or in their highlighted links on their Instagram profiles. You can also shop from a wide assortment of local artists at regional fairs like Handmade Arcade, I Made It! Market, and the Neighborhood Flea, as well as brick-and-mortar shops like love, Pittsburgh, Argyle Studio, Contemporary Craft, Ujamaa Collective, and Boheme Shops.
15. Integrate Artists into Your Marketing
Skip the AI-generated artwork. Contract local artists to create branded content, such as illustrations, videos, staff portraits, jingles, or performances, that reflect your company’s commitment to the arts while also reinforcing your brand.
16. Stop by the Merch Table After a Show
If you have the financial means to show additional support to your favorite local band or performing artist after a show, make a point to stop by their merch table before you leave. Buy their record, a sticker, or a T-shirt. Musicians often don’t make a substantial amount of money from door costs alone, so purchasing merchandise at a show is a great way to help ensure they’re able to keep making the music you love. Plus, wearing their shirts around town helps market their music to new audiences.
17. Sign Up for a Local Art Class or Workshop
Learn a new skill by paying to take a class provided by a regional artist at places like Pittsburgh Center for Arts and Media, Assemble, Level Up Studios, Workshop PGH, and Prototype. Many local teaching artists also offer opportunities for team-building workshops for a staff retreat. (The Arts Council staff recently made glass ornaments at the Pittsburgh Glass Center, which we highly recommend.)
18. Offer Patronage Subscriptions
Provide recurring financial support to individual visual artists and musicians through platforms like Patreon or subscribe to your favorite local writer’s Substack. Sustained funding can offer stability and encouragement.
19. Donate Art Supplies
Provide materials, instruments, or tools to artists or organizations. These donations can reduce financial barriers and enable creativity. Have items in bulk? The Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse is a great nonprofit art supply shop that accepts donations of used art and craft supplies.
20. Host Fundraising Events
Organize events like galas, auctions, or crowdfunding campaigns and donate proceeds of ticket sales to a local arts nonprofit to generate resources directly benefiting artists.
A Commitment to the Future
Each action may seem small on its own, but collectively, they can create lasting change. As we celebrate our 20-year legacy, the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council is committed to continuing its advocacy for artists and the arts sector. Together, we can ensure that artists receive the recognition, support, and resources they need to thrive.