COMMUNITY MARKETING INITIATIVE |
Boost Your Arts & Culture Event: Apply for Marketing Support Today!
Arts and cultural organizations in the Greater Pittsburgh region can now apply for in-kind marketing support this spring as part of the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council’s community marketing initiative.
Our research has found marketing to be one of the top five challenges for local arts organizations, with 56% of respondents to our Arts Community Survey identifying it as a "very significant" or "extremely significant" challenge, especially those with low budgets.
Funded by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Hillman Foundation, the Arts Council’s campaign is designed to assist organizations in need of marketing support and to encourage local participation in arts events. In Allegheny County, our research shows that arts and culture attendance remains approximately 21% down when compared to pre-pandemic levels.
We want to help bring your audiences back.
Following our successful fall campaign, the second half of this year’s campaign will provide a selected group of 15 organizations with in-kind promotional support to help boost attendance at upcoming arts and culture events. This support will include a mix of paid media ads, printed materials, and inclusion in the Arts Council’s weekly events blogs.
“With the support of the Arts Council’s community marketing initiative, the Oat Milk + HXNY Art Exhibition Opening attracted an impressive 228 attendees,” says Tacumba Turner, founder of The Future Is Black. “This success was in part due to the initiative’s efforts in amplifying the messaging and outreach surrounding the exhibit, ensuring it reached a broad and engaged audience.”
Submit one event or your choosing occurring between June 1 and August 15, 2025 for consideration for our spring campaign by April 15, 2025: Application for Spring Marketing Support
Eligibility:
- Must be an arts or cultural organization in Allegheny, Beaver, Greene, or Washington counties. (Our coverage is defined by the areas we serve as a PA Partner in the Arts)
- Submitted events must be arts and culture adjacent. (This includes visual arts, concerts, performing arts, literary arts, and film series.)
- Only one event submission per organization will be accepted as part of the campaign. If the event you’re submitting is part of an event series, please select the first day of the event series for this submission. An event series is defined as a group of related events under a common theme, e.g.: a concert series, a festival with multiple individual events, or a multi-week exhibition. (Organizations can, however, submit an unlimited number of events for inclusion in our weekly events blogs at any time throughout the year.)
- Priority for paid advertisements will be given to organizations with annual budgets of less than $250,000, LGBTQ-led organizations, and/or BIPOC Majority-led organizations. (The Arts Council defines a BIPOC Majority-led organization as one where 51% of leadership and/or staff identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color.)
- Events must occur between June 1 and August 15, 2025. Events that are still being planned may be submitted, but please provide as much information as possible.
- All awardees will receive an advertising package, customized for each recipient after finalists are selected. (Each package may include a combination of free advertising placements such as paid print and website ads, newsletter features, printed posters, and highlighted listings in the Arts Council’s weekly events blog—depending on audience fit and availability.)
FAQ
How much is each promotional package worth?
Each package will represent approximately $1,500 in in-kind advertising support.
Do I need to create the ads myself?
Awardees will be responsible for submitting final ad materials (e.g., ad copy, artwork, audio files). Limited support for providing feedback on materials to media and/or recommendations for freelance designers may be available upon request.
Will I get to choose which media outlets promote my event?
The Arts Council will work with selected organizations to match events to the most appropriate media outlets based on audience and regional reach. While we will consider your media preferences from your application, final media plans will depend on available inventory and overall campaign strategy.
Will the Arts Council purchase the ads directly?
Yes, the Arts Council will handle all ad purchases directly with media representatives.
How will I submit my ad materials?
The Arts Council will facilitate the process by connecting you directly with media representatives after we purchase the ad space. This will allow you to submit your finalized materials (copy, artwork, etc.) directly to the media outlets.
Can I apply if my event is still being planned?
Yes, but please include as much confirmed information as possible (dates, location, target audience) to help us evaluate your application.
Can virtual or hybrid events apply?
Yes, virtual and hybrid events are eligible, but preference may be given to events with an in-person component to help address the region’s in-person attendance challenges.
Can I apply for multiple events?
Each organization may only submit one event for this campaign. If the event you’re submitting is part of an event series, please select the first day of the event series for this submission. However, you can continue to submit as many events as you’d like for inclusion in our weekly events roundup blogs here.
How many organizations will be selected?
Up to 15 organizations will be selected to receive in-kind promotional support. However, all applicants who submit a regional arts & culture event will be included in the Arts Council’s weekly events roundups.
Will there be a reporting requirement?
Yes, awardees will be required to submit a post-campaign survey following completion of their event. This survey will gather insights on event attendance, marketing impact, and feedback on the initiative to help in our future efforts.
How will awardees be selected?
Event submissions will be reviewed by Arts Council staff using a rubric based on eligibility and application materials, with priority for paid advertisements given to organizations with annual budgets of less than $250,000, LGBTQ-led organizations, and/or BIPOC Majority-led organizations. (The Arts Council defines a BIPOC Majority-led organization as one where 51% of leadership and/or staff identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color.)
Have an additional question?
Email comms@pittsburghartscouncil.org and we’ll get back to you ASAP.