The Pittsburgh Foundation is accepting applications for its Advancing Black Arts grants.
Donor Name: The Pittsburgh Foundation
State: Pennsylvania
County: Allegheny County (PA), Beaver County (PA), Westmoreland County (PA)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 06/24/2026
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
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 careers and support the lives of individual artists living and advancing their practices in Pittsburgh.
- Increase the sustainability of cultural organizations that focus on advancing the art of the African diaspora by working to eliminate racial disparities within the larger arts sector.
- Support collaboration in and community awareness of the Black arts sector.
- Prioritize the documentation and discussion of artists’ work and well-being as part of the region’s cultural health.
- Support work that directly addresses and calls for the eradication of systemic and structural racism.
Funding Information
- Project support
- Up to $50,000
- Over Two Years $25,000/Year
- General operating support
- Up to $100,000
- Over Two Years $50,000/Year
Eligibility Criteria
- For Individual artists:
- Be at least 18 years of age by the time of submission.
- Have a documented history (two or more years) of regularly/consistently producing or presenting Black art and/or cultural events advancing the art of the African diaspora.
- Applicants must have their primary residence and/or be located in Allegheny, Beaver or Westmoreland County for at least 18 months prior to submitting application and upon receipt of funding.
- For Organizations:
- Be a 501(c)(3) organization or a fiscally sponsored project with a fiscal sponsor. If utilizing a fiscal sponsor:
- Have a documented history of at least three years regularly/consistently producing or presenting Black art and/or cultural events advancing the art of the African diaspora.
- Be located within Allegheny, Beaver or Westmoreland counties and/or primarily serve Allegheny, Beaver and Westmoreland Counties (for at least 18 months prior to submitting application and upon receipt of funding.)
For more information, visit The Pittsburgh Foundation.
