Standing Together in Uncertain Times: The Arts as a Pathway to Justice and Freedom
Lately, I’ve found myself angry and discontent, wrestling with the same unsettling questions that many of you are facing. The world feels more uncertain than ever. Policies once designed to protect our most vulnerable are being dismantled. Harmful ideologies, once whispered in the shadows, are now openly expressed and legitimized through legislation. I worry—not just as the CEO of the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, but as a human being, as a colleague, as a friend—about what this means for our team, our loved ones, and the communities we serve.
I won’t pretend that I have the answers. Like so many of you, I feel the weight of this moment. But what I do know is this: artists and cultural workers have always been at the forefront of social change. When society falters, they create spaces of truth and resistance. When voices are silenced, they find ways to be heard. The challenges we face are real, but history shows us that the arts have always been a force for resilience, solidarity, and transformation. The fight for equality and justice is not about politics—it’s about humanity. It’s a responsibility we all share.
Art is more than expression—it’s a call to action, a means of survival, and a pathway to justice. And yet, at this moment, many artists feel afraid and uncertain about what lies ahead. They wonder if they will have the resources to continue their work, if their voices will be censored, if the spaces they rely on will remain open. I won’t minimize those fears—our team at the Arts Council shares them, too.
That’s why our commitment remains unwavering. The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council pledges to:
- Advocate for artists’ rights by amplifying their voices in policy discussions and resisting efforts to suppress creative expression.
- Share resources to help artists sustain their work amidst shifting policies.
- Foster community and dialogue by creating spaces where artists and organizations can connect, share experiences, and support one another.
- Champion artistic activism, uplifting work that challenges oppression and fosters social change.
- Offer legal and professional guidance to protect artists’ intellectual and creative freedoms.
At the same time, the shifting landscape of public funding threatens the stability of many nonprofits, including those in the arts. Potential freezes or reductions in federal support could force communities to rely even more on philanthropy to fill the gaps. For the arts sector, this moment calls for adaptability and collaboration.
Arts organizations have long been a stabilizing force, offering healing, connection, and advocacy. Now more than ever, we must reaffirm that role. The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council stands in solidarity with organizations protecting essential services, and we will work to strengthen cross-sector collaborations and amplify community voices.
We do not have the luxury of complacency. The arts endure because they are essential. They reflect our humanity, tell our stories, and inspire change. But more than that, the arts are a demonstration of agency—both individual and collective. They embody freedom, challenge authority, and resist control. And that makes them a liability to those who seek to impose restriction and dominance.