Celebrate Pittsburgh: Music Commissioning Project

Commissioning 7 new Pittsburgh-themed musical works from 7 regional composers premiered at River City Brass Band performances.

Celebrate Pittsburgh: Music Commissioning Project

$35,000 » River City Brass Band, 2008 Community Connections project support

Celebrate Pittsburgh: Music Commissioning Project, a project of River City Brass Band, commissioned seven new Pittsburgh-themed musical works from seven regional composers. The new works premiered throughout 2008 and were featured during the River City Brass Band’s performances at concert venues in eight communities in Allegheny, Beaver, Cambria, and Westmoreland counties.

Civil Rites: Oral Histories of Two Generations of Pittsburgh Artists

Collecting personal stories of local African American artists as well as the memories of those who knew them for the August Wilson Center permanent collection.

Civil Rites: Oral Histories of Two Generations of Pittsburgh Artists

$49,000 » August Wilson Center for African American Culture, 2008 Community Connections project support

Civil Rites: Oral Histories of Two Generations of Pittsburgh Artists, a project of August Wilson Center for African American Culture, collected the work and personal stories of local African-American artists as well as the memories of those who knew them in a multimedia presentation that premiered at the Center’s dedication in May 2009 and became part of its permanent collection.

Explore Western Pennsylvania’s Wild Waterways

Constructing a series of boat launches to create a more welcoming environment to enjoy the Connoquenessing and Slippery Rock watersheds.

Explore Western Pennsylvania’s Wild Waterways

$50,000 » Wild Waterways Conservancy, 2008 Community Connections project support

Explore Western Pennsylvania’s Wild Waterways, a project of Wild Waterways Conservancy, constructed a series of boat launches throughout Butler, Beaver, and Lawrence counties to create a more welcoming environment for residents and visitors to enjoy the waterways of the Connoquenessing and Slippery Rock watersheds.

Great Allegheny Passage Trail Town Public Art Project

Creating large-scale public art installations in 6 trail towns along the Great Allegheny Passage bike trail from Pittsburgh toward Washington, DC.

Great Allegheny Passage Trail Town Public Art Project

$50,000, 2008 Community Connections project support

Great Allegheny Passage Trail Town Public Art Project, a project of Progress Fund, coordinated a community process to bring public art installations to each of six Trail Towns along the Great Allegheny Passage: Meyersdale, Rockwood, Confluence, Ohiopyle, Connellsville and West Newton. The project contributed to the ongoing community and economic development efforts in Fayette, Somerset, and Westmoreland counties.

In Sisterhood: The Women’s Movement in Pittsburgh

Producing a multimedia exhibit featuring leaders and activists in the late 20th century women’s movement with roots in Pittsburgh.

In Sisterhood: The Women’s Movement in Pittsburgh

$50,000, 2008 Community Connections project support

In Sisterhood: The Women’s Movement in Pittsburgh, a project of Thomas Merton Center, produced a first-of-its-kind multimedia exhibit featuring 20 influential leaders and activists in the women’s movement with roots in Pittsburgh during the latter part of the 20th century.

In the Making: 250 Years 250 Artists

Creating a museum-quality, full-color catalogue documenting artwork by 250 artists from all 14 counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

In the Making: 250 Years 250 Artists

$50,000, 2008 Community Connections project support

In the Making: 250 Years 250 Artists, a project of Fe Gallery, created a museum-quality, full-color catalogue documenting a first-of-its-kind visual exhibition of artwork by 250 artists from all 14 counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The catalogue provided a showcase of regional artists to curators, museum trustees, and collectors through its distribution regionally and nationally.

Mobile Ag/Ed Science Lab

Constructing a mobile science and agricultural laboratory to bring the science of farming directly into schools.

Mobile Ag/Ed Science Lab

$45,000, 2008 Community Connections project support

Mobile Ag/Ed Science Lab, a project of Pennsylvania Friends of Agriculture Foundation, constructed a mobile science and agricultural laboratory to travel to schools throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania. Building on a previously successful model, the mobile learning environment brought the science of the farm directly into schools.

Pittsburgh Environmental Oral History

Producing a series of stories and interviews celebrationg progress from a region based on resource extraction to a burgeoning leader in green environmental practices.

Pittsburgh Environmental Oral History

$35,000, 2008 Community Connections project support

Pittsburgh Environmental Oral History, a project of Allegheny Front, produced a series of personal stories, interviews, and features to celebrate the Pittsburgh region’s environmental history and progress from a region based on resource extraction to a burgeoning leader in green environmental practices.

Pittsburgh Signs: 250

Creating a full-color book documenting the unique signage in Southwestern Pennsylvania to celebrate the unique culture of the region.

Pittsburgh Signs: 250

$50,000, 2008 Community Connections project support

Pittsburgh Signs: 250, a project of The Pittsburgh Signs Project, created a 200-page, full-color book documenting unique signage from the 14 counties of Southwestern Pennsylvania to celebrate the unique culture of the region. The project captured the visual treasures of the area and shared them with a global audience both online and in the form of a brilliantly colored book.

Roadside Giants of the Lincoln Highway

Working with vocational and technical students to design and build incredible roadside attractions at locations along the historic Lincoln Highway.

Roadside Giants of the Lincoln Highway

$50,000, 2008 Community Connections project support

Roadside Giants of the Lincoln Highway, a project of Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor, worked with vocational and technical students in Bedford, Somerset, and Westmoreland counties to design and build incredible roadside attractions — Roadside Giants — at locations along Pennsylvania’s historic Lincoln Highway.

South Side Sculpture Project

Completing the final stage of a monumental piece of public art created from salvaged artifacts of the local steel industry on a former riverfront mill site.

South Side Sculpture Project

$49,340, 2008 Community Connections project support

South Side Sculpture Project, a project of Industrial Arts Co-op, completed the final stage of the South Side Sculpture, a monumental piece of public art created from salvaged artifacts of the local steel industry on former riverfront mill sites. The enormous sculpture used steel I-beams to depict the towering figures of two laboring steelworkers and was placed on permanent public display along the Monongahela River in Pittsburgh’s South Side.

Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Days

Celebrating Pittsburgh legend Mister Rogers by offering free or reduced admission to cultural and educational sites across the region.

Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Days

$50,000, 2008 Community Connections project support

Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Days, a project of Family Communications, Inc., promoted a series of events honoring Fred Rogers on the 80th anniversary of his birth in March 2008. Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Days featured free or reduced admission to many cultural and educational venues and events across the region and additional programming on how to be a good neighbor.

Arcadia Theater’s Endowment Establishment

Securing the future of the historic Arcadia Theater with a 10th Anniversary Celebration Performance & Gala featuring the legendary Frankie Avalon.

Arcadia Theater’s Endowment Establishment

$5,000 » Arcadia Theater, 2008 Community Connections project support

Arcadia Theater’s 10th Anniversary Celebration and Endowment Establishment, a project of Arcadia Theater, began its 10th Season with a 10th Anniversary Celebration Performance & Gala, featuring the Legendary Frankie Avalon. The Anniversary Gala was held following the performance at the Pasquerilla Conference Center. Congressman and Mrs. John Murtha were the 10th Anniversary Honorary Chairpersons, and all proceeds from this 10th Anniversary Performance and Gala was used to form an endowment to secure the future of the Historic Arcadia Theater.

Citywide Salon

Showcasing works by Pittsburgh artists in bus shelters and demonstrating that art is accessible, engaging, and an important part of daily urban life.

Citywide Salon

$5,000 » Academy of the South Side, 2008 Community Connections project support

Citywide Salon, a project of Academy of the South Side, hosted a month-long public showcase of works by 21 Pittsburgh artists displayed in 19 bus shelters throughout the city. The goal of Citywide Salon was to develop a sense of pride in the community by building stronger connections between artists, arts organizations, and the public, demonstrating to citizens that art is accessible, engaging, and an important part of daily urban life.

Community Car Ministry

Helping low-income and working-poor families maintain their vehicles by performing oil changes, brake and muffler repairs, and tune-ups—at no cost.

Community Car Ministry

$5,000 » Central Community Church, 2008 Community Connections project support

Sure Foundation Community Center Car Ministry, a project of Central Community Church in Transfer, PA, helped low-income and working-poor families maintain their vehicle by performing oil changes, brake and muffler repairs, and vehicle tune-ups, at no cost. This ministry addressed the transportation needs of a rural community with the help of skilled, dedicated volunteers with a desire to help their neighbors meet their transportation needs. Hands-on vehicle maintenance classes were additionally offered, covering topics such as checking fluid levels, oil changes, and changing tires.

Diversity Outdoors

Connecting minority communities with greater access to outdoor recreation opportunities and encouraging healthy lifestyles.

Diversity Outdoors

$5,000 » Venture Outdoors, 2008 Community Connections project support

Diversity Outdoors, a project of Venture Outdoors, connected minority communities in Pittsburgh with greater access to outdoor recreation opportunities. The project encouraged healthy lifestyles and promoted environmental awareness by improving access to outdoor amenities, bringing recreational equipment to neighborhood festivals, and organizing outdoor events and activities.

Downtown Greensburg Campaign

Highlighting the architectural details of buildings located within the Downtown Greensburg historic district with new banners.

Downtown Greensburg Campaign

$2,400 » Greensburg Community Development Corporation, 2008 Community Connections project support

Downtown Greensburg Asset Image Campaign, a project of Greensburg Community Development Corporation, purchased vinyl street light pole banners. The banners served as encouragement to residents, visitors, and employees to visually appreciate the architectural details of the building located within the historic district and take pride in the variety and number of cultural events and facilities within the cultural district. The banners also provided a compliment to the façade, exterior lighting, and sign improvement projects completed by business and commercial property owners.

Everson Borough Veterans Parklet

Creating a new monument and memorial for those who served in the armed forces after the original was dismantled and name plates were stolen.

Everson Borough Veterans Parklet

$4,375 » Everson Borough, 2008 Community Connections project support

Everson Borough Veterans Parklet, a project of Everson Borough, involved creating a monument and memorial for those from the community who served in the Armed Forces. The original Memorial was dismantled when the fire hall was built and the name plates were stolen. Because of this, residents had to go to nearby towns for Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day Services. The new memorial and monument was constructed in the middle of the town on the main street where it could be seen by anyone that passed through and enabled residents to honor local heroes in their own town.

Fort McIntosh Garrison Revitalization

Helping equip a regiment of re-enactors representing the garrison stationed in 1778 at Fort McIntosh, the first permanent peacetime post of the U.S. Army.

Fort McIntosh Garrison Revitalization

$5,000 » Beaver Area Heritage Foundation, 2008 Community Connections project support

First Company Fort McIntosh Garrison Revitalization Request, a project of Beaver Area Heritage Foundation, helped equip a regiment of re-enactors representing the garrison stationed at Fort McIntosh in 1778. The First Company Fort McIntosh Garrison was outfitted with uniforms as well as with gunpowder for muskets and cannons. The Fort, on the bank of the Ohio River in Beaver, was the first permanent peacetime post of the U. S. Army and is a Beaver County connection to the Revolutionary War.

Fisherman’s Tale

Organizing fishing trips so underserved African American senior citizens could enjoy the outdoors, sustain social connections, and monitor health.

Fisherman’s Tale

$5,000 » Lemington Community Services, 2008 Community Connections project support

Fisherman’s Tale, a project of Lemington Community Services, organized fishing trips along Pittsburgh’s rivers and in rural creeks surrounding the city for an underserved population of African American senior citizens. Participants were able to enjoy the outdoors and establish new social connections.

Gateway to Ambridge

Creating a water feature by a local artisan near a bridge that carries over 22,500 people daily to Ambridge.

Gateway to Ambridge

$5,000 » Committee to Clean and Beautify Ambridge, 2008 Community Connections project support

Gateway to Ambridge Project, a project of Committee to Clean and Beautify Ambridge, designed and produced a water element by local artisan Rob DeMacio that was placed at P.J. Caul Park near a bridge that carries over 22,500 people daily to Ambridge.

Grant Avenue Pocket Park

Creating a public green space for community events in the heart of the Millvale downtown business district.

Grant Avenue Pocket Park

$5,000 » New Sun Rising, 2008 Community Connections project support

Grant Avenue Pocket Park, a project of New Sun Rising, created a public green space in the heart of the Millvale downtown business district. Cleaning up a community eyesore, this green space provided a place to relax, meet with friends, and enjoy community and artistic events.

Homewood Redd Up!

Organizing community clean-ups in the Homewood and Squirrel Hill neighborhoods to connect neighboring communities.

Homewood Redd Up!

$5,000, 2008 Community Connections project support

Homewood Redd Up!, a project of Operation Better Block on behalf of the Homewood, Squirrel Hill, Point Breeze, and Park Place Redd Up Coalition, hosted several three-day cooperative community clean up weekends in the Homewood and Squirrel Hill neighborhoods of Pittsburgh.

Indiana County Covered Bridge Festival

Celebrating the history and beauty of covered bridges at a one-day festival highlighting the significance and history of these sites.

Indiana County Covered Bridge Festival

$5,000 » County of Indiana, 2008 Community Connections project support

Indiana County Covered Bridge Festival, a project of County of Indiana, celebrated the history and beauty of the covered bridges in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. The festival was a one-day event at the park that showcased local artisans and crafters demonstrating their work, musical entertainment, and local food vendors. Visitors experienced the covered bridges through speakers, highlighting the significance and history of these sites, bridge tours led by covered bridge enthusiasts, and exhibitions featuring the covered bridges of Pennsylvania.

Jay Bee Model Circus

Supporting the acquisition, marketing, and opening celebration of the Butler County Historical Society’s newest exhibit, featuring a hand-carved and hand-painted model circus.

Jay Bee Model Circus

$5,000 » Butler County Historical Society, 2008 Community Connections project support

Jay Bee Model Circus, a project of Butler County Historical Society, supported the acquisition, marketing, and grand opening celebration of the Butler County Historical Society’s newest exhibit, the Jay Bee Model Circus. Local artist James Bashline hand-carved and hand-painted the one-of-a-kind 9’x14’ model circus, which was based on the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus of the early 1950s. The model included animated performances under the big top, the circus parade, the animal pen, a sideshow, and a model railroad, among many other items. The Jay Bee Model Circus is permanently exhibited at the Butler County Heritage Center.

Neighborhood Narratives

Enabling filmmakers to tell stories of humor, sadness, romance, and even music that express the character of the diverse and unique neighborhoods they live in.

Neighborhood Narratives

$5,000, 2008 Community Connections project support

Neighborhood Narratives: Greetings from Pittsburgh was a series of ten short narrative films portraying the experience, character, and stories of the diverse and unique neighborhoods of Pittsburgh. Created by filmmakers living in each of these ten neighborhoods, the project was an opportunity to see communities from the inside out, allowing filmmakers to tell stories of humor, sadness, romance, and even music that express both the character of the neighborhoods and the personal experience of their narrators. The project focused on connecting people to their communities and celebrating that relationship in a lasting tribute to the city that we all call home.

Old Bedford Village Redoubt

Building historically accurate attractions to add to the collection of artifacts at this living history museum.

Old Bedford Village Redoubt

$5,000 » Old Bedford Village, 2008 Community Connections project support

Old Bedford Village Redoubt and Encampment Project, a project of Old Bedford Village, enabled the Village, a living history museum, to add to its collection of activities and appeal to a broader audience by building a redoubt to use in re-enactments of French and Indian War events. Since military units used redoubts from the French and Indian War to the Civil War, Old Bedford Village was able to additionally use the fortification to re-enact events in the Revolutionary War, Napoleonic wars, and Civil War as well.

Operation Fresh Express

Helping prevent thousands of pounds of perishable food from going to waste by changing from monthly to weekly food bank distributions in Westmoreland County.

Operation Fresh Express

$5,000 » Westmoreland County Food Bank, 2008 Community Connections project support

Operation Fresh Express, a project of Westmoreland County Food Bank, helped prevent thousands of pounds of perishable food from going to waste due to it not being able to be distributed it in a timely manner. This was accomplished by changing from monthly to weekly distributions throughout the county via community sponsored sites in the Monessen, Mt. Pleasant, and Greensburg areas.

Postage Stamp Park

Creating a small park along the riverfront within the central business district of the City of Parker, the “Smallest City in the U.S.”

Postage Stamp Park

$5,000 » Parker City Revitalization, 2008 Community Connections project support

Postage Stamp Park, a project of Parker City Revitalization, created a small park along the riverfront within the central business district of the City of Parker. Parker has the unique distinction of being the “Smallest City in the U.S.” The “Postage Stamp Park” was a miniature park, complete with picnic tables, bench, bike rack, and plantings, that welcomed visitors and enticed them to spend some time within business district.

Restoring a Hay Wagon

Honoring the toil of ancestors and learning about the function of a hay wagon and its contributions to our nation’s progress.

Restoring a Hay Wagon

$5,000 » Butler County Community College Education Foundation, 2008 Community Connections project support

Restoring a Hay Wagon, a project of Butler County Community College Education Foundation, honored the toil of our ancestors and the resulting pride in a sustaining communal lifestyle. As a Venturing Crew project, Boy Scouts of America coed adventure program for ages 16-20, it provided an opportunity for young adults to learn about the function of a hay wagon and its contribution to our nation’s progress while they experience craftsmen pride. The finished haywagon created an active history lesson for the community.

Sailing in Pittsburgh

Promoting sailing on Pittsburgh’s rivers with the establishment of a permanent sailing program in conjunction with the 2008 Three Rivers Regatta.

Sailing in Pittsburgh

$5,000, 2008 Community Connections project support

Sailing in Pittsburgh, a project of Point of Pittsburgh Sailing League, promoted sailing on Pittsburgh’s rivers with the establishment of a permanent sailing program in Pittsburgh in conjunction with the 2008 Three Rivers Regatta.

Sandyvale Memorial Botanical Gardens Visitors Area

Bringing a historic building back to life as the visitors center of the Sandyvale Memorial Botanical Gardens at the site of an old pioneer cemetery.

Sandyvale Memorial Botanical Gardens Visitors Area

$5,000 » Sandyvale Cemetary Association, Inc., 2008 Community Connections project support

Sandyvale Memorial Botanical Gardens Phase I, Task II - Staging/Visitors Area, a project of Sandyvale Cemetary Association, Inc., brought a historic building back to life as the visitors center of the Sandyvale Memorial Botanical Gardens. Responding local sentiment that the site of an old pioneer cemetery required an innovative and sensitive preservation idea, a botanical garden seemed the appropriate answer. Sensitive to the original use of the site, the gardens were made to provide respectful enjoyment and dignified beauty for generations to come.

Slippery Rock University ‘Green & Growing’

Providing green bikes as an alternate mode of transportation and planting 100 trees on campus.

Slippery Rock University ‘Green & Growing’

$5,000 » Slippery Rock University Student Government Association, 2008 Community Connections project support

SGA ’Green and Growing’ Initiative, a project of Slippery Rock University Student Government Association, provided green bikes as an alternate means of transportation on and around the campus and planted 100+ trees to sustain the land and create beautiful spaces to promote learning, recreation, and community gathering.

Tanoma AMD Wetlands Educational Trail

Building an educational trail at the Tanoma Wetlands, an Abandoned Mine Drainage passive treatment system in Indiana County.

Tanoma AMD Wetlands Educational Trail

$4,680 » Evergreen Conservancy, 2008 Community Connections project support

Tanoma Abandoned Mine Drainage Wetlands Educational Trail, a project of Evergreen Conservancy, build an educational trail at the Tanoma Wetlands, a 10 acre Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD) passive treatment system located in Indiana County. The trail follows the water from where it enters the ponds to the site where it enters Crooked Creek. Signage was used to describe the historical impact of coal mining while simultaneously demonstrating the process by which the treatment system effectively revitalizes our waters. This Trail transformed the Tanoma Wetlands into an engaging destination for community learning and a centerpiece for Evergreen Conservancy.

Washington’s Encampment

Staging re-enactments in Boyce Park, near the site of General John Forbes and Colonel George Washington’s encampment on November 22, 1758.

Washington’s Encampment

$5,000, 2008 Community Connections project support

Washington’s Encampment, a project of Allegheny Foothills Society, highlighted the historical events that lead to the founding of Pittsburgh. During Plum Borough’s annual community festival in June, the society staged re-enactments in Boyce Park, near the site of General John Forbes and Colonel George Washington’s encampment on November 22, 1758.

Westmoreland County History Speakers

Providing “living historians” and knowledgeable speakers to schools and historical societies about important events during and following the French & Indian War.

Westmoreland County History Speakers

$5,000 » Westmoreland County Historical Society, 2008 Community Connections project support

Westmoreland County History Speakers Program, a project of Westmoreland County Historical Society, provided “living historians” and knowledgeable speakers to schools, historical societies, and other organizations within Westmoreland County at no charge. This initiative informed area residents, both children and adults, about the remarkable history of the region, including important events which took place in Westmoreland County during and following the French & Indian War. It provided residents with a more complete understanding of local history to help them understand and appreciate the Westmoreland County of today.