Project Highlights

The Skinny Building

Utilizing one of the shallowest commercial buildings in the world as a unique venue for alternative art and the promotion of other cultural events.

The Skinny Building

$900 » Ground Zero, 2001 Grand Ideas project support

The Skinny Building, a project of Ground Zero, was an architectural oddity in the heart of the Fifth and Forbes corridor downtown. At 5 feet wide and 60 feet long, The Skinny Building was one of the shallowest commercial buildings in the world. The once vacant structure served as a unique venue for alternative art and the promotion of other cultural events.

Making a Scene

Emphasizing unity and collaboration between artists, patrons, and the community at large through an event focused on shared artistic process.

Making a Scene

$5,000 » Ground Zero, 2001 Seed Award project support

Making a Scene, a project of Ground Zero, was an event that celebrated emerging and established visual, performance, and literary artists in the Pittsburgh region. The event emphasized unity and collaboration between the artists, patrons, and the community at large and highlighted a collective spirit and a shared artistic process.

Onyx Alliance

Providing resources for education, professional development, and social engagement to African Americans and other minorities underrepresented in Pittsburgh’s workforce.

Onyx Alliance

$7,500, 2001 Seed Award project support

Onyx Alliance addressed issues of diversity within Pittsburgh by providing resources for education, professional development, and social engagement to African Americans and other minorities underrepresented in Pittsburgh’s workforce.

100 Bands, 31 Nights, 1 City

Highlighting the rich, diverse, but often underappreciated musical culture of Pittsburgh in one eclectic month.

100 Bands, 31 Nights, 1 City

$10,000 » Club Café, 2002 Seed Award project support

100 Bands, 31 Nights, 1 City, a project of Club Café, galvanized the local music scene by presenting 100 area bands during the 31 nights of January. The concert series highlighted the rich, diverse, but often underappreciated musical culture of Pittsburgh in one eclectic month.

3 Rivers on 2 Wheels

Guiding readers through 10 cycling excursions that stretch throughout various city neighborhoods.

3 Rivers on 2 Wheels

$8,500 » Lou Fineberg, 2002 Seed Award project support

3 Rivers on 2 Wheels was an original city guide that facilitated the exploration of Pittsburgh by bicycle. It detailed ten cycling excursions that stretched throughout various neighborhoods in the city. Unique for its portable format, consideration of youth riders and, award winning photography, the book was a striking testament to the accessibility and diversity of Pittsburgh’s communities.

Busk Pittsburgh

Creating a venue for artists to perform downtown and inform the public about the artistry and industry particular to street performing.

Busk Pittsburgh

$10,000, 2002 Seed Award project support

Busk Pittsburgh was an eight-week educational program that introduced and encouraged the historic tradition of busking, or street performance, in downtown Pittsburgh. The program provided a venue for artists to perform downtown and informed the public about the artistry and industry particular to street performing.

Dragon Boat Racing

Encouraging locals to enjoy the rivers through the competition, fitness, and camaraderie of this 3,000-year-old Chinese rowing tradition.

Dragon Boat Racing

$10,000 » Three Rivers Rowing Association, 2002 Seed Award project support

Dragon Boat Racing, a project of the Three Rivers Rowing Association, brought a 3,000-year-old Chinese rowing tradition to Pittsburgh. The program strengthened the bridge between Pittsburgh and its sister city, Wuhan, China by providing an opportunity for participants to enjoy Pittsburgh’s rivers while encouraging competition, fitness, and camaraderie.

The New Yinzer

Creating an outlet for local and national writers to publish experimental nonfiction and fiction, work largely overlooked by mainstream publishing companies.

The New Yinzer

$8,750, 2002 Seed Award project support

The New Yinzer was an online magazine that provided an outlet for local and national writers to publish experimental nonfiction and fiction, work that had been largely overlooked by mainstream publishing companies.

Pittsburgh Singles Volunteer Network

Cultivating commitment to volunteering, fostering relationships among singles, and increasing the number of activities available to them.

Pittsburgh Singles Volunteer Network

$4,850, 2002 Seed Award project support

The Pittsburgh Singles Volunteer Network referred singles to volunteer opportunities with local charitable groups. The organization cultivated commitment to volunteering, fostered relationships among singles, and increased the number of activities available to them.

Support Mass Transit Bumper Stickers

Calling attention to the essential service provided by Port Authority Transit and the threats to its sustainability.

Support Mass Transit Bumper Stickers

$1,000 » Kate Trimble, 2003 Grand Ideas project support

Support Mass Transit Bumper Stickers responded to the reduced funding to Port Authority and its first service cuts. The project distributed thousands of Support Mass Transit Bumper Stickers to call attention to the essential services provided by Port Authority and the threats to its sustainability.

American Shorts Reading Series

Performing classic and contemporary short works of American fiction for a diverse audience in an accessible, animated, community setting.

American Shorts Reading Series

$10,000 » Suzanne Pace, 2003 Seed Award project support

American Shorts Reading Series created a forum that delivered classic and contemporary short works of American fiction to a diverse audience. In an accessible, animated, community setting, the series presented live readings “performed” by an eclectic cross-section of the Pittsburgh community.

Everyday Art Assignments

Connecting artists and encouraging community members to work on their own independent crafts using an online platform.

Everyday Art Assignments

$8,000 » Studio Capezzuti, 2003 Seed Award project support

Everyday Art Assignments, a project led by Pittsburgh artist Cheryl Capezzutti, educated the community and promoted local artists. Using an online platform, the project connected budding artists 24 hours a day and encouraged community members to work on their own independent crafts, as well as to seek out established local artists.

Giving young adults in Pittsburgh the basic tools to run for office, including information on finding open positions, forming committees, creating budgets, and working with the media.

Giving young adults in Pittsburgh the basic tools to run for office, including info on finding open positions, forming committees, creating budgets, and working with the media.

Giving young adults in Pittsburgh the basic tools to run for office, including information on finding open positions, forming committees, creating budgets, and working with the media.

$8,730, 2003 Seed Award project support

Run Baby, Run gave young adults in Pittsburgh the chance to seek political office. Through a series of nonpartisan educational workshops, young people were given the basic tools to run for office, including information on finding open positions, forming committees, creating budgets, and working with the media.

RiverCubes Project: Pittsburgh

Constructing sculptures from refuse gathered along Pittsburgh’s rivers to draw attention to the future of the city’s waterways.

RiverCubes Project: Pittsburgh

$10,000 » Three Rivers Rowing Association, 2003 Seed Award project support

RiverCubes Project: Pittsburgh, a project of Three Rivers Rowing Association, constructed sculptures from refuse gathered along Pittsburgh’s rivers to draw attention to the future of the city’s waterways.

Three Rivers Bike Racks

Working to address the dearth of amenities for cyclists in the city by installing artistically designed bike racks in highly visible commercial areas.

Three Rivers Bike Racks

$9,000 » Bike Pittsburgh, 2003 Seed Award project support

Public Art Bike Racks, a project of Bike Pittsburgh, worked to address the dearth of amenities for cyclists in the city. Through the project, Bike Pittsburgh installed artistically designed bike racks in highly visible, commercial areas.

Urban Hike

Exploring the unique character of Pittsburgh through hikes that served as history lessons, adventures, and meditative reconnections that engaged residents with the topography of the city.

Urban Hike

$1,000, 2004 Grand Ideas project support

Urban Hike organized walking tours of Pittsburgh neighborhoods on and off the beaten path. Each hike included great views of the city, exposure to interesting architecture and interactions with various community stakeholders. Exploring the unique character of each neighborhood, the hikes served as history lessons, adventures, and meditative reconnections with the city, engaging residents with the very topography of the city itself.

barebones productions

Using theater as a vehicle for discovery not only of its subject, but also of the unlikely, intimate performance space.

barebones productions

$5,000 » barebones productions, 2004 Seed Award project support

barebones productions, a project of barebones productions, used theater as a vehicle for discovery not only of its subject, but also of the location of its performance. Each show premiered in an unlikely local space and focused on simple and evocative production values in intimate venues. By combining theater with other art forms—whether oratory, visual, or broadcast—barebones united different audiences and made each show an occasion for art and community building.

Handmade Arcade

Going beyond the traditional art fair by exposing the community to nontraditional, do-it-yourself crafters, musicians, and zine publishers.

Handmade Arcade

$5,830 » Cool Hand Crafts, 2004 Seed Award project support

Handmade Arcade, a project of Cool Hand Crafts, went beyond the traditional art fair by exposing the community to nontraditional do-it-yourself crafting. Bringing together offbeat crafters, musicians, and zine publishers, the Handmade Arcade promoted and encouraged a little known aspect of Pittsburgh’s creative community.

Knotweed Project

Shedding light on the environmental impact, history, and opportunities presented by Japanese Knotweed, an invasive species that has take over 8% of stream banks in Allegheny County.

Knotweed Project

$6,000 » 3 Rivers 2nd Nature & GroundZero Action Network, 2004 Seed Award project support

Knotweed Project, a project of 3 Rivers 2nd Nature and GroundZero Action Network, shed light on the environmental impact, history, and opportunities presented by Japanese Knotweed, an invasive species introduced in the 19th century that had grown to take over 8% of stream banks in Allegheny County.

Pittsburgh Signs Project

Calling area residents to submit photos of Pittsburgh signs that communicated their ideas about the city, providing a unique insight into the city.

Pittsburgh Signs Project

$8,000, 2004 Seed Award project support

Pittsburgh Signs Project encouraged area residents to submit photos of Pittsburgh signs that communicated their ideas about the city. The collaborative effort introduced new ways for residents to interpret Pittsburgh and provided a unique insight into the city.

Tireless Fridays

Encouraging all Pittsburghers to take part in the fate of the city’s rivers by cleaning up some of the most neglected and abused riversides.

Tireless Fridays

$8,905 » PA CleanWays of Allegheny County, 2004 Seed Award project support

Tireless Fridays, a project of PA CleanWays of Allegheny County, encouraged all Pittsburghers to take part in the fate of the city’s rivers by bringing together a community of concerned residents to help clean up some of the most neglected and abused riversides. Designed to create awareness among Pittsburgh’s young professional population about illegal dumping and littering, Tireless Fridays organized after-work volunteer opportunities throughout the summer to clean up illegal dumpsites within or near the city center.

BikeFest

Establishing an organizational framework for hosting community events, activities, and promotions to celebrate bicycling.

BikeFest

$8,500 » BikePGH, 2005 Seed Award project support

BikeFest, a project of BikePGH and Free Ride! Recycled Bike Program, established an organizational framework for hosting community events, activities, and promotions to celebrate bicycling as a fun, healthy, and environmentally friendly way to get around town.

CivicCards

Providing an interactive way to learn about government leaders as well as key features of Pittsburgh institutions and history.

CivicCards

$9,400, 2005 Seed Award project support

CivicCards promoted interest in those who served in city, county, and state government. Collectible and memorable, the cards provided an interactive way to learn about government leaders, as well as key features of Pittsburgh institutions and history. A total of 8,500 sets of 60 cards were distributed first to young professionals and students, and then made available to all citizens in Allegheny County.

East of Liberty: A Story of Good Intentions

Capturing the revitalization of the East Liberty neighborhood of Pittsburgh, specifically the demolition of the East Mall apartment complex and the displacement of its former residents.

East of Liberty: A Story of Good Intentions

$6,000 » East Liberty Development, 2005 Seed Award project support

East of Liberty: A Story of Good Intentions, a project of East Liberty Development, was a documentary by Chris Ivey that captured the revitalization of the East Liberty neighborhood of Pittsburgh. The film was inspired by the great changes and developments in the urban landscape, specifically the demolition of the East Mall apartment complex and the displacement of its former residents.

Encyclopedia Destructica

Compiling work from artists’ sketchbooks and journals to create a self-printed, hand-bound zine.

Encyclopedia Destructica

$3,500, 2005 Seed Award project support

Encyclopedia Destructica was a self-printed, hand-bound zine produced in Pittsburgh. Encyclopedia Destructica collected work from artists’ sketchbooks and journals for its first four issues, released biannually in 2005 and 2006.

Games of Steel

Creating an athletic dance performance using 16-foot seesaws, steel ramps, moving doors, and ladders-built by Red Star Ironworks.

Games of Steel

$10,000 » Attack Theatre, Red Star Ironworks, 2005 Seed Award project support

Games of Steel, a project of Attack Theatre and Red Star Ironworks, was an athletic dance performance by Attack Theatre that used custom set pieces-including 16-foot seesaws, steel ramps, moving doors, and ladders-built by Red Star Ironworks.

Harvest Dinners: The Ohio River Lifeboat Project

Encouraging ecological consciousness through a series of Harvest Dinners highlighting the social and ecological history of the Ohio River.

Harvest Dinners: The Ohio River Lifeboat Project

$4,528 » Ohio River LifeBoat Project, 2005 Seed Award project support

Harvest Dinners: The Ohio River Lifeboat Project, a project of Ohio River LifeBoat Project, was a mobile educational display that encouraged ecological consciousness as it traveled up and down the Ohio River. Constructed of reclaimed and sustainable building materials, the lifeboat hosted a series of Harvest Dinners to highlight the social and ecological history of the Ohio River through sharing of stories, experiences, and observations.

Pittsburgh Art in Transit

Adorning city buses with art to solicit support for area transit while also providing a public venue for artists to display their work.

Pittsburgh Art in Transit

$10,000 » Pittsburgh Arts In Transit, 2005 Seed Award project support

Pittsburgh Art in Transit, a project of Pittsburgh Arts In Transit, was a shared gesture of artistic and financial support extended by local artists to the Port Authority of Allegheny County. Artists supported public transit by purchasing paid advertising space on city buses and in return received a traveling public venue to display their work.

Steel City BioFuels

Manufacturing, distributing, and advocating for the use of the sustainable, environmentally friendly fuel made from recycled vegetable oil.

Steel City BioFuels

$10,000 » Steel City BioFuels, 2005 Seed Award project support

Steel City BioFuels, a project of Steel City BioFuels, manufactured and distributed sustainable, clean, environmentally friendly biofuel made from recycled vegetable oil. The group also provided alternative fuel advocacy, education, and outreach.

Academy of the Southside

Offering workshops and hard-to-find resources to oil painters and bringing in prominent national artists to give demonstrations, lectures, and critiques.

Academy of the Southside

$2,480 » The Academy of the South Side, 2006 Seed Award project support

Academy of the Southside, a project of The Academy of the South Side, was a studio classroom for classical oil painting methods, techniques, and professional instruction. The Academy of the Southside offered workshops, classes, and hard-to-find resources to oil painters. The school also brought in prominent national artists to give demonstrations, lectures, and critiques.

Be Well! Healthcare Options for the Uninsured

Compiling information on local social services and health care organizations in a zine-format guide to health insurance alternatives for young adults without coverage.

Be Well! Healthcare Options for the Uninsured

$8,000, 2006 Seed Award project support

Be Well! Healthcare Options for the Uninsured was a zine-format guide to health insurance alternatives for young adults without coverage. The guide compiled information on local social services and health care organizations and included testimonials from local citizens who had utilized these services without insurance.

The Distillery Program

Offering young artists ways to connect with, and contribute to, the local arts community by supporting their studio practice and providing career development opportunities.

The Distillery Program

$4,500 » Brew House Association, 2006 Seed Award project support

The Distillery Program, a project of Brew House Association, offered young Pittsburgh artists viable ways to connect with, and contribute to, the local arts community by supporting their studio practice and providing career development opportunities. Participants met for studio visits, workshops, peer critiques, and discussions with guest curators, critics, and artists. A culminating exhibition of new works was held at Brew House Space 101, in conjunction with a series of artist lectures.

The Mobile Museum

Providing a traveling space for dialogue about the collections housed in Pittsburgh’s museums, serving as an artistic forum for students, educators, and the public at large.

The Mobile Museum

$4,000, 2006 Seed Award project support

The Mobile Museum was a traveling space for dialogue about the collections housed in Pittsburgh’s museums. The project collected viewer feedback and insight at various locations and served as an artistic forum for students, educators, and the public at large.

Puppets for Pittsburgh

Lending puppets to area nonprofit organizations to add energy to their public events throughout the region.

Puppets for Pittsburgh

$5,000, 2006 Seed Award project support

Puppets for Pittsburgh was a free service that lent puppets to area nonprofit organizations to add energy to their public events. Created by Cheryl Capezzuti and other young artists, these giant puppets were revealed at events throughout the region.

Unicorn Mountain

Creating collaborative publications featuring independent comic art, literary nonfiction, and independent music.

Unicorn Mountain

$10,000 » Unicorn Mountain, 2006 Seed Award project support

Unicorn Mountain, a project of Unicorn Mountain, was a Pittsburgh-based artists’ collective. Unicorn Mountain created collaborative publications featuring independent comic art, literary nonfiction, and independent music. With the publication of Volume Two, Unicorn Mountain delivered a collection of cross-disciplinary art, including a CD compilation of numerous local acts.

Alternative Transportation Festival

Raising public awareness of alternative means of transportation and advocating for the use of public transportation, car-sharing, alternative fuels, and human-powered vehicles.

Alternative Transportation Festival

$25,000, 2007 Engage Pittsburgh project support

Alternative Transportation Festiva engaged the people and city of Pittsburgh in activities and events that raised awareness of key issues relating to transportation including environmental concerns, the state of public transit, alternative fuels and vehicles, and urban cycling.

Green Vision for East Liberty Vacant Lots

Reclaiming blighted areas in the East Liberty neighborhood for energy crop cultivation, green jobs, and community wellness.

Green Vision for East Liberty Vacant Lots

$20,000, 2007 Engage Pittsburgh project support

Green Vision for East Liberty Vacant Lots, a project of GTECH Strategies, was a continuation of the work that began with Pittsburgh’s Green Forum, aimed at reclaiming vacant lots around the neighborhood of East Liberty. Having already put forth efforts to reclaim brownfields in Hazelwood for energy crop cultivation and biofuel production, GTECH Strategies moved toward East Liberty’s smaller open spaces with a focus on creating community gardens that can continue to proliferate into the future, taking over blighted lots too often used for illicit activities and greening them while also giving an opportunity for work and education for low-income, disadvantaged youth from the community.

Gumband & Lost and Found

Sharing real-time information about cultural events, businesses, and directions in Pittsburgh through a mobile phone-based event notification system.

Gumband & Lost and Found

$40,450, 2007 Engage Pittsburgh project support

Gumband & Lost and Found was a mobile phone based event notification system designed to present and share real-time information about cultural events, businesses, and directions in Pittsburgh. Post-Gazette.com partnered with the project to provide initial data including events listings, business listings, reviews, and classifieds.

One Cold Hand

Exploring the concept of loss and recovery while collecting lost gloves all over Pittsburgh and even reuniting some with their rightful owners.

One Cold Hand

$1,000, 2007 Grand Ideas project support

One Cold Hand, a project by Jenn Gooch, connected the Pittsburgh community by focusing on one common, but unfortunate, event–the loss of a glove. Centered around the website Onecoldhand.com, the project magnified and explored the concept of loss, while also collecting and saving gloves lost throughout the city in the chance that they may be found again, creating a representative emblem of hope and community. Over the course of a winter, One Cold Hand collected 450 gloves and returned more than a dozen to their owners. The project was covered in over 145 media outlets worldwide through the Associated Press, including the New York Times and BBC Radio London, and locally in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Tribune Review, and on KDKA television news.

Art Olympic Theatre

Artists competing to make winning pieces within a specific period of time. Equal parts gallery opening, sporting event, and theatrical performance!

Art Olympic Theatre

$10,000 » The Tom Museum, 2007 Seed Award project support

Art Olympic Theatre, a project of The Tom Museum, invited local and visiting artists to compete in a variety of themes and artistic mediums and make winning pieces of art within a specific period of time. Equal parts gallery opening, sporting event, and theatrical performance, each event helped make art more accessible to a wider community through a uniquely engaging program.

Basic Mechanics and Biofuels for Women

Providing beginners’ auto mechanics and alternative fuels workshop for women, with hands-on training to help convert vehicles to biofuels.

Basic Mechanics and Biofuels for Women

$5,000, 2007 Seed Award project support

Basic Mechanics and Biofuels for Women was a beginners’ auto mechanics and alternative fuels workshop for women in Pittsburgh. Participants received a basic, hands-on overview of the processes involved and built the foundations of a working mechanical knowledge.

Creative Reuse Pittsburgh

Collecting unsual byproducts and surplus items to sell to the public and host hands-on creativity and making events.

Creative Reuse Pittsburgh

$7,500 » Creative Reuse Pittsburgh, 2007 Seed Award project support

Creative Reuse Pittsburgh was a project to collect byproducts and surplus from regional manufacturers and other businesses and then sold the materials to the public. The organization provided new options for handling commercial waste materials, created opportunities to learn about and contribute to environmental stewardship, and offered hands-on public creativity events to infuse new energy into Pittsburgh’s communities and organizations.

In Service

Giving voice to Pittsburghers who were involved in the Iraq war: from soldiers to government officials to war correspondents.

In Service

$10,000 » Pittsburgh Filmmakers and Bricolage, 2007 Seed Award project support

In Service, a project of Pittsburgh Filmmakers and Bricolage, was a multimedia performance and film project, combining live performance, projected video, and still images to recreate the first-hand experiences of men and women serving in the Iraq War as soldiers, government officials, and war correspondents. In a community theater setting at the downtown Harris Theatre, native Pittsburghers recounted their personal war narratives, telling the stories of how world events shape our city and its people, and how our world is changed, too, by people here at home. Also part of the project was a gallery of photography on display at the Melwood Screening Room, featuring the work of local photographers reflecting on the war, complementing stories with striking imagery and creating a complete, powerful, emotional experience.

Take A Letter

Integrating the language, techniques, and sensibilities of theater into performance art and experimental film.

Take A Letter

$5,000 » New Hazlett Theater, 2007 Seed Award project support

Take A Letter, a project of New Hazlett Theater, presented a new performance work that integrated the language, techniques, and sensibilities of theater into performance art and experimental film. The performance, Y Knows Y, was part of an experimental series of projects incubated by the New Hazlett Theatre that blended disciplines and encouraged artists to reach their next level of accomplishment.

Vaudeville Carnivale

Highlighting contemporary approaches to Old World theater inspired by vaudeville, burlesque, gypsy carnivals, variety shows, and circuses.

Vaudeville Carnivale

$3,100 » Zafira Dance Company, 2007 Seed Award project support

Vaudeville Carnivale, a project of Zafira Dance Company, showcased Pittsburgh performing artists at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater in a festival-like atmosphere to highlight contemporary approaches to Old World theater. The Zafira Dance Company, a troupe inspired by vaudeville, burlesque, variety shows, and circuses, transformed the lobby and auditorium of the Kelly-Strayhorn Theatre into a gypsy carnival atmosphere with food, vendors, and performances.

Worms for a Better World

Using an urban worm farm and community engagement to teach about sustainable waste management and composting.

Worms for a Better World

$10,000 » PRC and Construction Junction, 2007 Seed Award project support

Worms for a Better World, a project of the Pennsylvania Resources Council and Construction Junction, was a vermicomposting initiative and community engagement project that used the food waste from the East End Food Co-Op to educate the public about sustainability. Inside Construction Junction (just up the street from the Co-Op), the PRC operated a large urban worm farm, a 4’ x 8’ x 4’ bin where worms compost the organic waste, reproduce and multiply, breaking down the waste while creating fertilizer with their castings and producing more worms to be used in similar projects elsewhere in the city. The worm farm also acted as a learning space, where community members could attend workshops and demonstrations about sustainable vermicomposting and how it can be implemented at home.

Arcadia Theater’s 10th Anniversary Celebration and 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 10th Anniversary Celebration and 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Asset Image Campaign

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

Downtown Greensburg Asset Image 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.

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.

First Company Fort McIntosh Garrison Revitalization Request

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.

First Company Fort McIntosh Garrison Revitalization Request

$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 Project

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

Gateway to Ambridge Project

$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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Neighborhood Narratives: Greetings from Pittsburgh

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: Greetings from Pittsburgh

$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 and Encampment Project

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

Old Bedford Village Redoubt and Encampment Project

$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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Phase I, Task II: Staging/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 Phase I, Task II: Staging/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.

SGA ’Green and Growing’ Initiative

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

SGA ’Green and Growing’ Initiative

$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.

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.

Sure Foundation Community Center 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.

Sure Foundation Community Center 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.

Tanoma Abandoned Mine Drainage Wetlands Educational Trail

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

Tanoma Abandoned Mine Drainage 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 Program

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 Program

$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.

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.

Commute-by-Bike Zine

With Pittsburgh as its setting, the comic book takes the reader on a fun, exciting journey that teaches the basics of bicycle commuting.

Commute-by-Bike Zine

$10,000 » Bike Pittsburgh, 2008 Seed Award project support

Commute-by-Bike Zine, a project of Bike Pittsburgh, was a workshop created by Bike Pittsburgh to provide people with valuable information about bicycle commuting. Bike Pittsburgh also created a zine to accompany the workshop and reinforce its content. With Pittsburgh as its setting, the book took each reader on a fun, exciting journey that taught the basics of bicycle commuting.

Here We Grow Pittsburgh, Here We Grow

Creating sustainable community gardens throughout the city and increasing public awareness of the benefits of fresh, healthy food.

Here We Grow Pittsburgh, Here We Grow

$7,500 » Grow Pittsburgh, 2008 Seed Award project support

Here We Grow Pittsburgh, Here We Grow, a project of Grow Pittsburgh, created sustainable community gardens throughout the city and increased public awareness of the benefits of fresh, healthy food. The project’s growing season culminated in a Kick Off Harvest Party organized around the theme of a progressive dinner. Participants toured each of the community gardens, where garden signs were unveiled and attendees enjoyed food produced from the sites.

Rhyme Calisthenics

Providing a venue for current and future hip-hop artists to sharpen their improvisational performance skills and expand their artistic subject matter.

Rhyme Calisthenics

$6,800, 2008 Seed Award project support

Rhyme Calisthenics was an ongoing event series that provided a venue for current and future hip-hop artists to sharpen their improvisational performance skills and expand their artistic subject matter. The main attraction of the series was a six-foot game show wheel with 12 different emcee challenges that tested improvisational, rhythmic, and thematic skills.

Street with a View

Staging freeze-frame scenarios on Sampsonia Way on the Northside while Google technicians captured images for Google Maps’ Street View.

Street with a View

$2,620, 2008 Seed Award project support

Street with a View was a collaboration between artists Robin Hewlett and Ben Kinsley, and the Google Inc. Street View team. The artists staged a series of freeze-frame scenarios on Sampsonia Way, in the North Side, and Google technicians captured images of the street with the tableaux in place. The images were uploaded and integrated into the web-based Street View mapping platform.

Take Me Out

Examining issues of race, sexual identity, and cultural icons in the context of Major League Baseball.

Take Me Out

$10,000 » barebones productions, 2008 Seed Award project support

Take Me Out, a project of barebones productions, was a Tony Award winning play that examined issues of race, sexual identity, and cultural icons in the context of Major League Baseball. Barebones productions partnered with the Three Rivers Arts Festival to produce the play in a large downtown building on 7th Avenue.

Unsmoke Systems

Establishing a community resource, events venue, and studio space for young artists in Braddock.

Unsmoke Systems

$8,000, 2008 Seed Award project support

Unsmoke Systems was a multi-year arts initiative in Braddock that established a community resource, events venue, and studio space for young artists. The project launched with an exhibition of Pittsburgh-based artists during an evening of local music, dancing, and food.

Pittsburgh Beautification Project

Erecting colorful Andy Warhol paintings over the empty windows and doors of abandoned buildings in the city’s blighted areas.

Pittsburgh Beautification Project

$1,000, 2009 Grand Ideas project support

Pittsburgh Beautification Project, a project by Bob Ziller, upgraded the visual quality of Pittsburgh’s blighted areas by placing Andy Warhol-inspired paintings over boarded-up windows in the city’s abandoned buildings. Light chipboard plywood was painted and cut to the dimensions of the windows at each beautification site, where colorful, hand-painted versions of Warhol’s iconic Flowers paintings were then installed onto the plywood already covering the windows of each property. The project received media attention from all over the United States, being featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post.

Accordion Pool Party

Utilizing a decommissioned public pool to demonstrate how forgotten public spaces can be used for social and artistic events.

Accordion Pool Party

$4,000, 2009 Seed Award project support

Accordion Pool Party was a concert and dance event that took place in the decommissioned Leslie Park Pool in Lawrenceville. The event piloted the concept of utilizing forgotten public spaces for social and artistic events in Pittsburgh. Participating partners included Pittsburgh Citiparks, Councilman Patrick Dowd, the Boys and Girls Club, accordion players, ethnic dancers and choreographers, architects, designers, and volunteers.

BRICKS for Young Adults Cancer Awareness Booklet

Presenting personal narratives of young adults with cancer alongside helpful resources to reduce the isolation felt by young cancer patients and raise public awareness of the disease.

BRICKS for Young Adults Cancer Awareness Booklet

$6,500 » BRICKS, 2009 Seed Award project support

BRICKS for Young Adults (YA) Cancer Awareness Booklet, a project of BRICKS, connected YA cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers to community resources. The booklet helped those involved manage their battles with cancer by presenting personal narratives alongside information on additional resources. The booklet also worked to reduce the isolation often felt by YA cancer patients and raise public awareness of the disease.

Burgh Bees

Promoting honeybees as a vital part of Pittsburgh’s urban agriculture community through an open beekeeping group.

Burgh Bees

$8,000 » Burgh Bees, 2009 Seed Award project support

Burgh Bees, a project of Burgh Bees, was an open beekeeping group that promoted honeybees as a vital part of Pittsburgh’s urban agriculture community.

Conflict Kitchen

Serving cuisine from countries with which the United States was currently in conflict as a way to create greater awareness of the culture in question.

Conflict Kitchen

$7,000, 2009 Seed Award project support

Conflict Kitchen was a public project that made and served cuisine from countries with which the United States was currently in conflict. The food was served from a take-out style storefront adjacent to the Waffle Shop and Shadow Lounge in East Liberty. The project served as a means of distributing and communicating information that would lead to a greater awareness of the culture in question.

Midnight Radio

Featuring the unique talents of Pittsburgh writers, musicians, actors, comics, and city celebrities through a monthly after hour radio series.

Midnight Radio

$6,000 » Bricolage, 2009 Seed Award project support

Midnight Radio, a project of Bricolage, was Bricolage’s first annual late night summer series. A monthly “live” radio series, the program was set after hours, complete with honey-voiced announcers, commercial breaks, vintage vinyl sound effects and a myriad of Foley props. Each Midnight Radio episode featured the unique talents of Pittsburgh writers, musicians, actors, comics, and city celebrities. As a special feature, the audience was able to choose which serials would continue to the September finale smack down where the writers left standing competed for cash prizes and the opportunity to air their serial on 91.3 WYEP.

QTPi(e)

Creating an interactive celebration of math, food, and community on Pi Day by delivering 31 pies via bicycle to homes in Pittsburgh with the mathematical constant pi (3.14) in their address.

QTPi(e)

$900, 2010 Grand Ideas project support

QTPi(e), a project by Quelcy T. Kogel, was an artistic, interactive celebration of math, food and community on Pi Day, March 14th, 2010. For the project, Kogel delivered 31 pies via bicycle to homes in Pittsburgh that included mathematical constant pi (3.14) in their address. The pie packaging included hand-printed maps that compared conventional and local pie ingredients and, of course, referenced pi. The packages were photographed at their delivery locations for a gallery show that displayed the photos, maps, and pie samples alongside information about local dining. The project later partnered with the former Waffle Shop in East Liberty and Sprout’s own Hothouse to share more with the public about delicious, locally-sourced food.

Evenings in Quarantine: The Zombie Opera

Highlighting some of Pittsburgh’s most iconic locations and celebrating the keystone creature of Pittsburgh’s cultural heritage, the zombie, through a hybrid stage and film production.

Evenings in Quarantine: The Zombie Opera

$4,000, 2010 Seed Award project support

Evenings in Quarantine: The Zombie Opera was a hybrid theatrical stage and film production by artistic directors Bonnie Bogovich and Elizabeth Rishel. A full-length video projection served as the moving, interactive backdrop for a horror opera that highlighted some of Pittsburgh’s most iconic locations and celebrated the keystone creature of Pittsburgh’s cultural heritage, the zombie. The story followed three college friends as they navigated their way through the infected streets of Pittsburgh and took stock of their priorities, as they grappled with the living dead and with each other.

HOMEWOOD Artist Residency

Inviting national and international contemporary artists who represented the diversity of Homewood to take residence in rehabilitated houses as combined living and studio spaces.

HOMEWOOD Artist Residency

$10,000 » The Andy Warhol Museum, 2010 Seed Award project support

HOMEWOOD Artist Residency, a project of The Andy Warhol Museum, invited national and international contemporary artists who represented the diversity of Homewood to take residence in rehabilitated houses and split the homes into living and studio spaces. Artists created projects that reflected the overarching history and culture of Homewood, including a large-scale installation in the Greater Pittsburgh Coliseum that blended the memories and voices of Homewood’s residents into a physical work of art. The project supported artists of color, brought diversity to the contemporary arts community in Pittsburgh, and engaged a community with limited access to the visual arts.

Public Record

Offering a unique glimpse into the lives of our city’s forebears, revealing Pittsburgh’s past as the poetic layers upon which we build our future.

Public Record

$6,100, 2010 Seed Award project support

Public Record was a multimedia documentary poetry project that offered a unique glimpse into the lives of our city’s forebears. It was a book of poems based on text sampled from 19th-century Pittsburgh crime reports-poems about people whose only appearance in the historical record is this single act of transgression. The project included a set of audio recordings of those poems by local artists and used technology to allow audience members to experience those poems, via mobile phone, in the locations at which the events transpired. Created by artist and writer Justin Hopper as an Old and New Media Artist-in-Residence with technology company Deeplocal and underground publishers Encyclopedia Destructica, Public Record took its audiences on a tour of the city, revealing Pittsburgh’s past as the poetic layers upon which we build our future.

The Sky is the Limit

Enlisting a skywriter to write messages taken from city advisements over downtown Pittsburgh, evoking open-ended poetic meanings and suggesting the promise of new opportunities.

The Sky is the Limit

$5,600, 2010 Seed Award project support

The Sky is the Limit enlisted a skywriter to write messages taken from city advisements in the sky over downtown Pittsburgh. Loosed from their paper signs and billboards, common phrases like “Space Available” evoked open-ended poetic meanings and suggested the promise of new opportunities. The expressions were reproduced to fill ad space in the Pittsburgh City Paper, to perplex readers and to point to the changing nature of the newspaper industry. In collaboration with Pittsburgh Filmmakers, the project was fully documented in photos and video. Large photographic prints of the skywriting were then installed in storefront windows, effectively returning the transformed language to its original context.

Transformazium 15104 Communication Network

Connecting residents of Braddock with local organizations, and organizations with each other to encourage information and service sharing in the neighborhood.

Transformazium 15104 Communication Network

$5,000 » Transformazium, 2010 Seed Award project support

Transformazium 15104 Communication Network, a project of Transformazium, connected residents of Braddock with local organizations, and organizations with each other, to encourage and support information and service sharing and collaboratively strengthen the neighborhood. Aboard Transformazium’s Vehicle for Communication, Neighborhood Conversation Starters traveled regular and occasionally spontaneous routes through Braddock, delivering information, publications, and resources about local issues and events.

VIA Music & New Media Festival

Showcasing local and international audio and visual artists through a year-round event series and week-long Music & New Media Festival.

VIA Music & New Media Festival

$9,900, 2010 Seed Award project support

VIA Music & New Media Festival was a year-round event series and week-long Music & New Media Festival showcasing local and international audio and visual artists.

BioShelter and Food Systems Center

Building a permanent BioShelter greenhouse structure to extend the growing season on the farm located in the Garfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh.

BioShelter and Food Systems Center

$20,000, 2010 Spring project support

BioShelter and Food Systems Center, a project of the Garfield Community Farm, was a permanent greenhouse structure designed to extend the growing season located on the farm located in Pittsburgh’s Garfield neighborhood and to expand educational offerings at nearby Fort Pitt Elementary School. Outfitted with passive solar technology and permaculture design, the facility allowed a larger window of opportunity for students to experience the farm and learn about health and nutrition, biodiversity, ecology and gardening as it extended the growing season deeper into the school year while also allowing the farm itself to grow more diverse foods that required longer growing seasons.

Chimney Swift Towers

Constructing artificial habitats for migrant Chimney Swifts along riverfront trails to increase habitat options for the birds in the Pittsburgh area.

Chimney Swift Towers

$5,000, 2010 Spring project support

Chimney Swift Towers, a project of The Audubon Society of Western PA, constructed four new artificial chimney habitats for Chimney Swifts, neotropical migrant birds, along riverfront trails to increase habitat options for Swifts in the Pittsburgh area.

Community Tree Nursery

Providing a more diverse tree stock for local reforestation and ecosystem restoration efforts while increasing the public’s understanding of urban forestry.

Community Tree Nursery

$20,000, 2010 Spring project support

Community Tree Nursery, a project of Tree Pittsburgh, created a tree nursery to support their ongoing planting and public education efforts. The nursery provided a more diverse tree stock for local reforestation and ecosystem restoration efforts, while increasing the public’s understanding of urban forestry and the community’s stewardship of urban trees.

Growing Biodiversity: A school-yard transformation

Creating a rain garden on the grounds of a school to use stormwater runoff to irrigate native plant communities.

Growing Biodiversity: A school-yard transformation

$5,000, 2010 Spring project support

Growing Biodiversity: A school-yard transformation, a project of Nine Mile Run Watershed Association, created a rain garden on the grounds of the Word of God School in Swissvale that used stormwater runoff to irrigate native plant communities established in the garden.

Heritage Seed Bank and Nursery

Maintaining a collection of seeds native to the region that are rare or “endangered” and using them to participants about seed saving and its role in communities throughout history.

Heritage Seed Bank and Nursery

$20,000, 2010 Spring project support

Heritage Seed Bank and Nursery, a project of Blackberry Meadows Farm, was an initiative to maintain a collection of seeds that are rare or “endangered”, are native to the region, and have a role in the region’s history or culture. Participants at the nursery learned about seed saving and its role in communities throughout history, while also sustaining the region’s native heritage and heirloom plants for future generations. Blackberry Meadows Farm also worked to stock public spaces and area gardens with these native plants to raise greater public awareness about the importance of protecting horticultural heritage.

Knotweed Knockout

Remediating an acre of knotweed-infested, city-owned land in the Polish Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh.

Knotweed Knockout

$5,000, 2010 Spring project support

Knotweed Knockout, a project of Polish Hill Civic Association, remediated one-acre of knotweed-infested city-owned land in the Polish Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh using non-toxic cinnamon oil to kill the exposed knotweed plants and hinder their recurrence.

Pollinator Restoration and Education Program

Building and restoring native plant gardens that provide food for pollinators and increase plant, insect, and animal biodiversity.

Pollinator Restoration and Education Program

$5,000, 2010 Spring project support

Pollinator Restoration and Education Program, a project of The Outdoor Classroom, created new native plant gardens and restored existing ones in Upper St. Clair Township that provide food for pollinators and increase plant, insect, and animal biodiversity.

Shaler Area Green Initiative

Constructing an educational garden using native plants and trees for use as a functional outdoor classroom.

Shaler Area Green Initiative

$5,000, 2010 Spring project support

Shaler Area Green Initiative, a project of Shaler Area High School, constructed an educational garden using native plants and trees for use as a functional outdoor classroom. Using innovative sustainable growing methods like aquaponic fertilization, the garden and accompanying greenhouse cultivated native plants in a setting where students could learn about life and earth sciences, sustainability, and ecological stewardship.

Shelby Montgomery Community Garden

Restoring a blighted area of a neighborhood by creating a garden with native plants and providing training for local youth.

Shelby Montgomery Community Garden

$5,000, 2010 Spring project support

Shelby Montgomery Community Garden, a project of Manchester Beautification Committee, constructed a community garden in a vacant lot in the neighborhood of Manchester on Pittsburgh’s Northside. In addition to restoring a blighted area of the neighborhood, the garden was cultivated with native plants and other selected species and included training and educational programs for neighborhood youth.

City of Champions Million Steps Challenge

Challenging participants to make healthier lifestyle choices by counting every step at this large-scale community fitness event.

City of Champions Million Steps Challenge

$1,000, 2011 Grand Ideas project support

City of Champions Million Steps Challenge was a large-scale public fitness event that challenged participants to accelerate a healthier lifestyle by counting every step as they engaged in a variety of energetic and fun-filled activities. The goal was to collectively total one million steps at this event while motivating participants to continue to make healthier choices in their personal fitness goals. Participants engaged in a variety of fitness activities and tracked the number of steps they took during this event on September 10, 2011 at the YMCA Homewood.

Love Poem for Water

Inviting audience members to consider the significance of water in their lives, bodies, and communities as they listen to Vanessa German’s monologues on her own encounters with the essential liquid.

Love Poem for Water

$1,000, 2011 Grand Ideas project support

Love Poem for Water, a project by Vanessa German, was an audience-interactive multimedia performance built around the spoken word opera. German, a multidisciplinary artist, wrote and performed the intense, soul-filled twelve-minute piece which made the audience part of the performance as “water” in the form of long, flowing, blue cloth cascaded off of the stage and into the hands of audience members, activating light, sound, and texture. Viewers were invited to consider the place and significance of water in their lives, bodies, and communities as they listened to German’s monologues on her encounters with mankind’s most essential liquid.

Camino: A Hiawatha Project original play

Exposing the booming business of private immigrant detention centers and illuminating questions of survival and connectedness through a play about undocumented immigrants.

Camino: A Hiawatha Project original play

$7,500 » Hiawatha Project, 2011 Seed Award project support

Camino, a Hiawatha Project original play, was a play about borders, boundaries, and undocumented immigrants in 21st-century Pittsburgh. Set in an imagined near future infused with GPS maps, lost migrating birds, and star-crossed lovers, Camino was inspired by two young Latino immigrants in Pittsburgh whose lives were torn asunder by the American immigrant deportation system. The play exposed the booming business of private immigrant detention centers in the United States and in doing so, illuminated questions of survival and connectedness. The performance was written and directed by Anya Martin and featured an ensemble cast of established and emerging Pittsburgh actors. Camino was the debut performance of Hiawatha Project, an innovative new theater company at that time.

Car Free Streets Event at Pedal Pittsburgh

Closing streets to cars so bicycles, pedestrians, and other alternative modes of transportation could safely access them during Pedal Pittsburgh.

Car Free Streets Event at Pedal Pittsburgh

$5,000 » Lanterne Rouge LLC, 2011 Seed Award project support

Car Free Streets Event at Pedal Pittsburgh, a project of Lanterne Rouge LLC, was a closed streets ride for recreational cyclists. Called a “ciclovia,” this new event was featured during the 2012 Pedal Pittsburgh ride. By expanding to embrace the racing and non-racing community, the ciclovia created an outlet to share a passion for cycling with others in the region, from elite racers to recreational cyclists, adults and youth. This festive event was a prime opportunity to showcase local Pittsburgh businesses who supported an active and healthy lifestyle. This event was in keeping with the goal of a non-competitive bicycle ride that was open to activity on a car-free course for bicycles, pedestrians, and all to enjoy. Lanterne Rouge worked diligently with Bike Pittsburgh to create a car-free family portion of Pedal Pittsburgh in 2012 that created a base for a 2013 Open Streets Event.

Comics Reading Room and Courtyard

Providing a publicly accessible courtyard in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District featuring outdoor exhibition space, audio, a mini café, and a stage for comics reading events and performances.

Comics Reading Room and Courtyard

$7,500 » ToonSeum, 2011 Seed Award project support

Comics Reading Room and Courtyard, a project of ToonSeum, was a publicly accessible courtyard in downtown Pittsburgh’s Cultural District at 945 Liberty Avenue. The courtyard was identified by its iconic Jazz Musician statues and featured café tables, outdoor exhibition space, audio, a mini café, a stage for comics reading events and performances, and access to more than 1,000 comics, manga, and comic-related research materials. A space within the ToonSeum was dedicated to that library and provided year-round access to comics and cartoon research. There was also a special section dedicated to local comic creators.

Hill District Marketpieces

Celebrating the renowned cultural and culinary history of the Hill District through interior and exterior artworks for the Shop n’ Save supermarket in the Hill District.

Hill District Marketpieces

$8,500 » Hill House Association, 2011 Seed Award project support

Hill District Marketpieces, a project of Hill House Association, celebrated the renowned cultural and culinary history of the Hill District. Commissioned by the Hill House Association and the Hill House Economic Development Corporation, artist Leslie Ansley created interior and exterior artworks for the highly anticipated Shop n’ Save supermarket in the Hill District. The store invited a new creative shopping experience for the community as it featured images of the Hill District, its residents past and present, and its food stories.

Pyrotopia

Presenting the diverse artistic uses of fire and celebrating man’s primal fascination with flames through Pittsburgh’s first annual festival of fire arts.

Pyrotopia

$5,000, 2011 Seed Award project support

Pyrotopia was Pittsburgh’s first annual festival of fire arts, and the first of its kind on the East Coast. Pyrotopia presented the diverse artistic uses of fire and celebrated man’s primal fascination with flames. Pyrotopia entertained and enchanted attendees with the use of fire and related media, such as electricity and light in artistic ways. The festival included fire dancing, spinning, hooping, and swallowing; interactive fire sculptures and games; a gallery show of fire-related and inspired imagery, sculpture, video and other media; workshops and lectures on fire science, history, and safety; and more.

ALLOY Pittsburgh

Providing a laboratory for 15 emerging artists from the Pittsburgh region to create site-based projects that investigate the creative reuse of a post-industrial site.

ALLOY Pittsburgh

$8,000 » Kipp Gallery at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 2012 Seed Award project support

ALLOY Pittsburgh, a project of Kipp Gallery at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, was a visual and performing arts initiative developed for the Carrie Furnace National Historic Landmark. The program was a laboratory where 15 emerging artists from the Pittsburgh region created site-based projects that investigate the creative reuse of a post-industrial site. The completed artworks were simultaneously presented in a one of a kind art event to be held at the Carrie Furnaces National Historic Landmark in the fall of 2013. The project promoted the work of emerging and underrepresented artists from the Pittsburgh region and encouraged interaction between the artists and the surrounding communities of Braddock, Homestead, Swissvale and Rankin. In addition to interactive public tours and the event reception, the project engaged the local community through public discussions and lectures throughout the summer and fall of 2013.

Carrie Deer Film Project

Documenting the lives of the artists who built the famed 40’ deer sculpture at Carrie Furnace in 1997, breaking the law to make a statement about salvage and art.

Carrie Deer Film Project

$10,000 » Rivers of Steel National Heritage Are, 2012 Seed Award project support

Carrie Deer Film Project, a project of Rivers of Steel National Heritage Are, documented the lives of the artists who built the famed 40’ deer sculpture at Carrie Furnace in 1997, breaking the law to make a statement about salvage and art.

Community Supported Art (CSA PGH)

Creating “shares” of art from local artists to be purchased by art patrons across the city, similar to boxes of produce from local farms as part of an agricultural CSA.

Community Supported Art (CSA PGH)

$6,000, 2012 Seed Award project support

Community Supported Art (CSA PGH) created “shares” of art from local artists to be purchased by art patrons across the city, similar to the boxes of produce from local farms as part of an agricultural CSA.

Knit The Bridge

Wrapping the Andy Warhol Bridge with colorful yarn, knitted by hundreds of area residents, creating the largest community “yarn bomb” of its kind in the United States.

Knit The Bridge

$8,000 » Fiberarts Guild of Pittsburgh, 2012 Seed Award project support

Knit The Bridge, a project of Fiberarts Guild of Pittsburgh in conjunction with Fiberart International 2013, brought together more than 1,600 people from all over Southwestern Pennsylvania to the downtown Andy Warhol Bridge in colorful quilts during the summer of 2013. The grassroots community “yarn bomb” was the largest of its kind in the United States, celebrating Pittsburgh’s exciting contemporary arts scene during the Fiberart International exhibition with more than 580 knit panels covering the iconic bridge. From retirees in Cranberry to professors in Shaler to teen boys in the North Side, Knit the Bridge united the region regardless of age, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, neighborhood or even knitting ability, creating a fun, bright and beautiful project organized by the Fiberarts Guild of Pittsburgh and project manager Amanda Gross.

Art at the ’Mat

Hosting the first public Laundromat exhibition of the National Lint Project since 2004, featuring an installation of flying creatures made out of dryer lint donated by launderers and neighbors from around Pittsburgh.

Art at the ’Mat

$1,000 » The National Lint Project, 2012 Social Innovation Exchange project support

Art at the ’Mat, a project of The National Lint Project, was an art exhibition at Trey’s Laundromat in Pittsburgh’s Brighton Heights neighborhood that worked to build connections between community art-maker Cheryl Capezzuti, her neighbors, the owners and patrons of the local laundromat and the Brighton Heights Citizens Federation—as well as the city of Pittsburgh at large. The art exhibition featured an installation of flying creatures created from dryer lint donated by launderers and neighbors from all over the city, reintroducing The National Lint Project to the city after an eight-year hiatus from the public eye and fostered camaraderie and community between the city’s residents.

CONNECT-Back

Representing 37 communities from Pittsburgh’s urban core—the city and first-ring suburbs—CONNECT-Back acted as an innovative forum for officials and communities to work together on policy-related matters.

CONNECT-Back

$1,000 » University of Pittsburgh, 2012 Social Innovation Exchange project support

CONNECT-Back, a project of the Congress of Neighboring Communities, was a citizen’s advisory council engaged to bridge Pittsburgh’s many and varied neighborhoods through policy-focused solutions. With 37 representatives from Pittsburgh’s urban core—the city proper and the first-ring suburbs that share its border—CONNECT-Back acted as an innovative forum for officials and communities they represented to work together on numerous shared opportunities and challenges with a goal of empowering and engaging citizens in their neighborhoods through policy education and community awareness.

Fineview Fitness Trail

Formalizing an urban hiking trail and using city steps to introduce runners and walkers to the vistas and history of Fineview.

Fineview Fitness Trail

$10,000 » Fineview Citizens Council, 2012 Social Innovation Exchange project support

Fineview Fitness Trail, a project of Fineview Citizens Council, organized the stairs in the Fineview neighborhood of Pittsburgh into a formalized network of trails that provide runners, hikers, and walkers with a clearly marked course and introduce them to the challenges, vistas, and history of Fineview.

Friend-Field Postcard

Capturing the largest group portrait ever taken in Pittsburgh of residents of Friendship, Bloomfield, and Garfield, which will be printed and distributed as a free postcard to be sent by residents to one another across neighborhoods.

Friend-Field Postcard

$1,000, 2012 Social Innovation Exchange project support

Friend-Field Postcard, a project by Felipe Castelblanco and James Southard, was a participatory art project that invited all the residents of Friendship, Bloomfield and Garfield to pose for neighborhood group portraits. Developed by Carnegie Mellon University visual artists Castelblanco and Southard, these portraits were then printed and distributed throughout the community as postcards, encouraging residents to reach out to each other across neighborhoods, developing relationships that tie the bordering communities closer together. The postcards were also available in the neighborhoods as a souvenir to represent the conviviality of collective action and community-building.

Front Street

Hosting an hour‐long, interactive arts and culture talk show shot at a live event at AVA Lounge and broadcast on the internet.

Front Street

$1,000 » Sara McCool, 2012 Social Innovation Exchange project support

Front Street, a project of filmmaker Sara McCool, was an interactive arts and culture talk show shot live and broadcasted on the internet. Each episode revolved around a particular issue and showcased guests whose work was relevant to that topic, highlighting the vibrant artistic and activist communities in Pittsburgh and creating deeper discussions on topics of importance to the area. Recorded in front of a live audience in the comfort of McCool’s apartment, guests like Shadow Lounge’s Justin Strong, Assemble’s Nina Barbuto, and comedian Davon Magwood discussed their personal experience with the confounding realities of racial humor, political artwork, gentrification, and more—all from their seat in the show’s iconic, overstuffed pink couch.

Hazelwood Sister Circle

Publishing a zine comprised of the topics of conversation discussed in the POOR LAW Sister Circle in Hazelwood about the community, violence, health, and wellness.

Hazelwood Sister Circle

$1,000 » POOR LAW, 2012 Social Innovation Exchange project support

Hazelwood Sister Circle, a project of Hazelwood People of Origin Rightfully Loved and Wanted (POOR LAW), was a local community group designed to connect the blighted Hazelwood neighborhood through building the self-worth of individuals within it. A women’s group created within POOR LAW, the Sister Circle focused on empowering female residents 17-21 through writing. In the form of a self-published zine, Sister Circle allowed young women to speak freely about issues like violence and abuse, health and wellness, and community as they connected with the history of Hazelwood through the neighborhood’s longtime residents’ stories and wisdom.

Hotspot

Staging a performance by the Sisters of the Lattice, willfully conjoined techno-mystics, who work to deepen the connection between individuals and the technological devices they use every day.

Hotspot

$1,000 » Nina Sarnelle, 2012 Social Innovation Exchange project support

Hotspot, a project of Sisters of the Lattice, was a series of interactive viewing experiences or “ceremonies” that connected audiences technologically and metaphysically. During the ceremonies, audiences watch the Sisters’ 2012 film Link while seated in individual sauna pods, encouraging a highly meditative state meant to connect viewers physically and conceptually with the diverse members of their shared community. The film itself was also about the connectivity of people, as it followed the willfully conjoined techno-mystic Sisters on a journey around the United States, uniting individuals using silicon wafers, tablet computers and other technology to translate human energy. As a living work of public art, Hotspot aimed to engage participants in an ongoing discussion of spiritual, technological and human connection, asking questions about humans’ complex and evolving relationship with their technology.

Jazz Conversations

Sharing stories, experiences, and music to bridge a widening gap between generations of jazz-lovers.

Jazz Conversations

$1,000 » Maggie Johnson, 2012 Social Innovation Exchange project support

Jazz Conversations, a project of Maggie Johnson, connected generations of jazz music lovers to each other in March 2013 in Lawrenceville. The project featured two gatherings during which jazz music lovers shared stories, experiences, and music to bridge a widening gap between generations.

Life is a Lab

Creating a multimedia storytelling project that connects youth to older generations by having them listen to a true story, ask questions, and then retell the story through written words and imagery.

Life is a Lab

$1,000 » Literary Arts Boom, 2012 Social Innovation Exchange project support

Life is a Lab, a project of Literary Arts Boom, was multimedia storytelling project that connected youth to older generations in Bloomfield, Garfield, and Friendship by having them listen to a true story, ask questions, and then retell the story through written words and imagery. The final products were a community storytelling event and a zine that displayed the youth’s work.

Louisa Street Bicycle Steps Runnel

Creating a runnel—a grooved track that runs alongside a staircase, making it easier to transport bikes up or down the stairs—on the city steps found on Louisa Street in Central Oakland.

Louisa Street Bicycle Steps Runnel

$10,000, 2012 Social Innovation Exchange project support

Louisa Street Bicycle Steps Runnel, a project of the Oakland Planning and Development Corporation (OPCD), designed and created a bike runnel on the city steps found on Louisa Street in Central Oakland between Coltart and McKee Avenues. A bike runnel is a grooved track that runs alongside a staircase, making it easier to transport bicycles up or down the stairs. The project, a collaboration with Springboard Design and the City of Pittsburgh, also included the plan to design a bicycle boulevard between Halket and Atwood Streets with particular focus on the public space improvements at the runnel. In a student neighborhood full of bikes, infrastructure like a boulevard and runnel would encourage safe cycling that benefits everyone on the streets.

Made in PGH

Publishing an online repository of products made in Pittsburgh along with the people who make them, the companies that make them, and groups that are focused on making in general.

Made in PGH

$1,000 » Elliot Williams, 2012 Social Innovation Exchange sponsorship

Made in PGH, a project of Elliot Williams, was a website repository of products made in Pittsburgh along with the people who made them, the companies that made them, and groups that were focused on making in general. This project connected Pittsburgh makers to customers and to each other.

Ninety: Pittsburgh in a Board Game

Encouraging players to learn more about their neighbors across any number of rivers, gorges or bridges through a board game that lets players run for mayor of Pittsburgh’s ninety neighborhoods.

Ninety: Pittsburgh in a Board Game

$1,000, 2012 Social Innovation Exchange project support

Ninety: Pittsburgh in a Board Game, a project by Adam Shuck, was a board game that lets players run for mayor across Pittsburgh’s ninety city neighborhoods. Born out of a city walkabout in summer of 2012 that toured all 90 of Pittsburgh’s distinct neighborhoods in eleven hours, Ninety is both an exceptionally entertaining board game and an exploration of the city, encouraging players to learn more about their neighbors across any number of rivers, gorges or bridges. With Sprout Funding, Shuck and his partners produced multiple copies of the game to take on tour around the city to let residents play and inspire conversation about the place we all call home.

SIX x ATE

Producing a free dinner and lecture series in Pittsburgh during which six artists are asked to present or perform work based on a theme, while one cuisinier creates a three course meal based on the same theme.

SIX x ATE

$1,000 » Casey Droege, 2012 Social Innovation Exchange project support

SIX x ATE, a project of Casey Droege, was a free dinner and lecture series promoting local artists, a stronger arts network and a more interdisciplinary conversation in Pittsburgh during which six artists are asked to present or perform work based on a theme while one cuisinier creates a three course meal based on the same theme. This project connected local artists, the arts network, and dinner guests starting in March 2013 in the Strip District.

Sleeping With Strangers

Facilitating conversations between individuals and groups interested in opening a hostel in Pittsburgh.

Sleeping With Strangers

$1,000 » Birmingham Foundation, 2012 Social Innovation Exchange project support

Sleeping With Strangers, a project of Birmingham Foundation, was facilitated conversations between individuals and groups that held an interest or potential for future partnership with the Hostel to be opened in the Southside by the end of 2013. This project connect those interested in a Pittsburgh Hostel starting in March 2013 in the Southside.

Song for Pittsburgh

Arranging a one‐day performance piece during which six singers in six different Pittsburgh neighborhoods will sing the same song written by the applicant for the city and the people of Pittsburgh.

Song for Pittsburgh

$1,000 » Jennifer Nagle Myers, 2012 Social Innovation Exchange project support

Song for Pittsburgh, a project by Jennifer Nagle Myers, was a one-day, six-part performance piece for Pittsburgh. At noon on Sunday, April 21st, six singers in six locations throughout the city sang the same song, three times over the course of an hour. Acting as a spontaneous art “happening” that spoke to the spirit of Pittsburgh, the original song and performance was meant to embody every resident of the city, regardless of age, race, religion or gender, and was performed simultaneously in Squirrel Hill, Homewood, Hill District, South Side, North Side and Friendship in an effort to connect the city through song and community.

Transit Tales

Improving the perception of public transportation by amplifying the stories of Pittsburgh’s riders and operators.

Transit Tales

$20,000, 2012 Social Innovation Exchange project support

Transit Tales was a a multimedia storytelling project about how public transit affects the lives of people in Allegheny County. In partnership with the Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group and Pittsburghers for Public Transit, Bricolage Production Company recorded stories about public transit from all kinds of people– riders, non-riders, and transit workers- and then shared them through radio, the Pittsburgh City Paper, social media, and live performance.

We Are Here

Creating an online map of Pittsburgh “Third Places” and colorful signs that lead people to the identified community gathering places that create a sense of belonging and encourage community engagement.

We Are Here

$1,000 » Lindsay Dill, 2012 Social Innovation Exchange project support

We Are Here, a project of Lindsay Dill, was an online map of Pittsburgh “Third Places” and colorful signs that lead people to the identified community gathering places that create a sense of belonging and encourage community engagement. This project connected Pittsburghers and visitors to Pittsburgh to “Third Places” starting in January 2013.

Garfield Hops Project

Turning vacant land in Pittsburgh’s Garfield neighborhood into a hop garden and producing feedstock to use in local brews.

Garfield Hops Project

$10,000, 2012 Spring project support

Garfield Hops Project, a project of GTECH Strategies, was an urban gardening initiative that turned vacant land in Pittsburgh’s Garfield neighborhood into a hop garden. In collaboration with the Hops Project and Garfield Community Farm, the Garfield Hops Project broadened the city’s agricultural sources, engages community residents and urban farmers, and produced a feedstock for locally sourced beer-makers like nearby East End Brewery, who used the hops in some of their brews. Like the Garfield Community Farm, the volunteer gardening site was another project of urban renewal and reinvention for the community of Garfield as it transformed from blighted neighborhood to model of sustainable living, providing residents with a meeting place for community building and enrichment.

“Aspie Seeks Love”

Following David’s journey to understand his Asperger’s, improve as a person, writer, and artist, and work to find a meaningful relationship.

“Aspie Seeks Love”

$10,000 » Julie Sokolow & Pittsburgh Filmmakers, 2013 Film & Video project support

Aspie Seeks Love, documentary by Julie Sokolow and project of Pittsburgh Filmmakers, followed David’s journey to understand his Asperger’s, improve as a person, writer, and artist, and find a meaningful relationship. Viewers watched David explore the Pittsburgh autism community for the first time and compare notes with fellow “Aspies”. David also explored the world of OKCupid online dating and attempted to break out of his shell to form relationships in person. David’s quest culminated in the Pittsburgh release party for his very first book, Meltdown in the Cereal Aisle.

https://aspieseekslove.com/

“Fursonas”

Offering intimate portraits of a variety of furries, attempting to understand the person behind the costume by allowing the subjects to speak for themselves and the audience to decide for themselves.

“Fursonas”

$10,000 » Dominic Rodriguez & Pittsburgh Filmmakers, 2013 Film & Video project support

Fursonas, a documentary by Dominic Rodriguez and project of Pittsburgh Filmmakers, was a documentary that explored the lives of furries in Pennsylvania. The furry community referred to a diverse network interested in anthropomorphic animals. Many of these people purchased or created fursuits— life-size animal costumes of their “fursonas”. The film offered intimate portraits of a variety of fursuiters, attempting to understand the person behind the costume. While locals were familiar with the display of hundreds of furries in the street during Anthrocon each summer, they seldom looked past their preconceived notions about the fandom. Other documentaries about furries focused on providing an easy answer for the phenomenon, but Fursonas was more interested in taking a humanistic approach, allowing the subjects to speak for themselves, and the audience to decide for themselves.

http://www.fursonasdoc.com/

“Give Us a Chance: Pittsburgh Punk”

Detailing individual experiences about how the Pittsburgh Punk Rock scene brought together people from the region’s declining satellite cities and mill towns to support their need, curiosity, and eventually, commitment to Punk music.

“Give Us a Chance: Pittsburgh Punk”

$10,000 » Michael Seamans & Pittsburgh Filmmakers, 2013 Film & Video project support

Give Us A Chance Pgh Punk, a documentary by Michael Seamans and project of Pittsburgh Filmmakers, detailed individual experiences about how a vibrant, active culture rapidly expanded across the greater Pittsburgh area – bringing people from the region’s declining satellite cities and mill towns together to support their need, curiosity, and eventually, commitment to Punk music and the rising Pittsburgh Punk Rock scene. The project illustrated how the Punk community grew from modest beginnings involving a few dozen people at an all-ages show at a small venue on Oakland, to the hundreds that came together to vent their frustrations and confront an uncertain future, while building an enduring community culture of their own.

The Art Lending Collection

Enabling those with library cards to check out works of art by regional and international artists for home enjoyment.

The Art Lending Collection

$10,000 » Braddock Carnegie Library Association, 2013 Seed Award project support

The Art Lending Collection, a project of Braddock Carnegie Library Association, made it possible to check-out works by regional and international artists, just like books for home enjoyment, at the Braddock Carnegie Library.

The Pittsburgh Canning Exchange

Creating a network where interested people can learn about local food, sustainability, and canning and trade canned goods, recipes, and techniques.

The Pittsburgh Canning Exchange

$6,500 » Idea Foundry, 2013 Seed Award project support

The Pittsburgh Canning Exchange, a project of Idea Foundry, was a community-building initiative to create a network for interested people to learn about local food, sustainability and canning, and to trade canned goods, recipes and techniques with others.

Dia de los Muertos Pittsburgh

Providing a stage for Pittsburgh Latinos to come together and share with the non-Spanish speaking population through celebratory artistic and cultural events.

Dia de los Muertos Pittsburgh

$5,000 » Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse, 2013 Social Innovation Exchange project support

Dia de los Muertos Pittsburgh, a project of Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse, was an event for all ages that maintained and respected the cultural integrity of the Day of the Dead tradition, but also expanded it toward a modern aesthetic, providing “a memory for the dead and a party for the living.” In collaboration with La Escuelita Arcoiris and the Latino Family Center-AIU, the project acknowledged a growing interest in traditions and heritage crafts related to Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead / All Saints Day, traditionally celebrated in Mexico on November 1st and 2nd. The project provided a stage for Pittsburgh Latinos to come together and share with the non-Spanish speaking population through celebratory artistic and cultural events.

Gender-Neutral Learn-to-Sew

Hosting a series of monthly sewing nights to learn basic skills, proper threading and tensioning, and the history of the sewing machine.

Gender-Neutral Learn-to-Sew

$1,000 » Jennifer Gooch, 2014 Grand Ideas project support

Gender-Neutral Learn-to-Sew, a project of Jennifer Gooch, hosted a series of monthly gender neutral sewing nights at her WERK studio in Lawrenceville. Neighbors joined together to learn about basic mechanisms, proper threading and tensioning, and even a little bit of history of the sewing machine.

Olympic Curling Open House

Introducing the city to the accessible, ancient ice sport in an exciting and welcoming setting while highlighting opportunities to play the Olympic sport locally.

Olympic Curling Open House

$1,000 » Pittsburgh Curling Club, 2014 Grand Ideas project support

Olympic Curling Open House, a project of Pittsburgh Curling Club, shared the sport and spirit of curling with the city of Pittsburgh in celebration of the upcoming 2014 Winter Olympics. Introducing the city to the accessible, ancient ice sport in an exciting and welcoming setting, the PCC highlighted the sport and the local community that offers opportunities to play the Olympic sport in Pittsburgh.

Afronaut(a)

Encouraging diverse groups of artists to experiment with forms of media that connect with the African American experience and offering a window into the reality of living as a black artist in America.

Afronaut(a)

$9,200 » Kelly Strayhorn Theater, 2014 Seed Award project support

Afronaut(a), a project of Kelly Strayhorn Theater, was a film screening series that encouraged diverse groups of artists to experiment with forms of media that connect with the African American experience. Screenings and artist talks took place bi-weekly throughout the summer at the Kelly Strayhorn’s Alloy space on Penn Avenue, with the series ending in a two-day media festival where local and national media artists and filmmakers presented and performed at different locations around town. The series was not just about producing and consuming film as pop culture, but about connecting artists to their work and their communities, offering a window into the reality of living as a black artist in America.

Chutz-Pow! Superheroes of the Holocaust

Commemorating Pittsburgh area survivors, partisans, and liberators of the Holocaust and World War II while promoting Holocaust education and awareness through an original comic book.

Chutz-Pow! Superheroes of the Holocaust

$8,500 » The Holocaust Center of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, 2014 Seed Award project support

Chutz-Pow! Superheroes of the Holocaust, a project of The Holocaust Center of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, was an original comic book based on the real life stories of Pittsburgh area resistance fighters and liberators. Developed in collaboration with the ToonSeum, Chutz-Pow! honored and commemorated Pittsburgh area survivors, partisans and liberators of the Holocaust and World War II as it promoted Holocaust education and awareness. Upon completion, the comic was showcased at Pittsburgh ComiCon and made available online for schools, organizations and institutions to use as an educational resource for teaching about the Holocaust and its heroes through non-conventional methods.

Pittsburgh Fringe Festival

Showcasing unorthodox theatre and giving small to mid-size performing artists unique exposure.

Pittsburgh Fringe Festival

$7,500 » Fractured Atlas, 2014 Seed Award project support

Pittsburgh Fringe Festival, a project of Fractured Atlas, Pittsburgh Fringe Festival showcased unorthodox theatre, giving small and mid-size performing artists unique exposure.

Switchboard Stories

Collecting stories of collective action to enrich the Global Switchboard’s dialogue with current members, neighborhood residents, the foundation community, and policy makers around the question, “why should I care about global engagement in Pittsburgh?”

Switchboard Stories

$10,000 » Amizade Global Service-Learning, 2014 Seed Award project support

Switchboard Stories, a project of Amizade Global Service-Learning, responded to the demand for storytelling within the community of practice associated with global engagement. Beginning in January 2015, the project collected and promoted a core set of 20 stories, 10 of which focused on members of The Global Switchboard and 10 of which highlighted Sprout-supported Global Switchboard Community of Practice projects. The stories were evidence that the Switchboard was more than a co-working space, and helped to demonstrate the Switchboard’s preparedness for collective action. Through the collection of stories Amizade raised the visibility of their work, garnered greater support, and equipped their community of practice with a body of evidence of their collective impact.

Deutschtown Music Festival

Promoting Pittsburgh’s live music scene by showcasing over 50 local bands that perform at a dozen venues throughout the family-friendly festival.

Deutschtown Music Festival

$1,000 » East Allegheny Community Council, 2014 Sprout Sponsorship sponsorship

Deutschtown Music Festival, a project of East Allegheny Community Council, was a community arts and entertainment event in the central North Side that supported and promoted Pittsburgh’s live music scene. With over 50 local bands performing all day long at a dozen venues, the event was designed to appeal to families and community members drawn from a citywide audience.

76<100

Raising awareness of wage inequality and celebrating working women through a retail pop-up featuring wares from female artists and businesses, selling items to women at 76% of the cost charged to men.

76<100

$1,000 » Elana Schlenker, 2015 Grand Ideas project support

76<100, an independent project from Elana Schlenker, was a retail pop-up that only sold wares from female artists and women-led businesses in order to raise awareness of wage inequality based on US Dept of Labor statistics showing the median earnings of full time female workers was 76% of that of males. This project sparked conversation around this issue, while creating a positive space that celebrated and empowered working women.

ACJ Medical Neglect Documentation Project

Using the power of storytelling to highlight individuals who had experienced medical neglect in the Allegheny County Jail.

ACJ Medical Neglect Documentation Project

$1,000 » New Sun Rising, 2015 Grand Ideas project support

ACJ Medical Neglect Documentation Project, a project fiscally sponsored by New Sun Rising, was the creation of a story-telling and fact-finding documentary highlighting individuals that had directly experienced medical neglect in the Allegheny County Jail (ACJ). Using the power of story-telling through both written and filmed documentation, trained interviewers collected documentation of the Human Rights violations that had occurred in the ACJ, ultimately compiling this information into a written report and 30-minute documentary. The project put a face and voice to people who were often segregated by society at large by providing the opportunity to share the lifelong consequences of unjust physical and mental health treatment in jail.

Art + Feminism Wikipedia Edit-a-thon

Bringing together diverse communities to create and improve Wikipedia articles related to women in the arts.

Art + Feminism Wikipedia Edit-a-thon

$1,000 » New Sun Rising, 2015 Grand Ideas project support

Art + Feminism Wikipedia Edit-a-thon, a project fiscally sponsored by New Sun Rising, was an inclusive one-day event that brought together diverse communities to create and improve Wikipedia articles related to women in the arts. Facilitators and library staff were available to help set up accounts for participants and gather resources as the community worked together to correct the gender imbalance on Wikipedia. In addition to the central event location at Frick Fine Arts Library, there were pre-event trainings at CAPA high school for the arts and the Carnegie Library of Homestead.

Beatty Street Bicycle Co-Op

Promoting bicycling as an affordable, healthy, and green mode of transportation while educating riders with repair and maintenance skills.

Beatty Street Bicycle Co-Op

$1,000 » PULSE, 2015 Grand Ideas project support

Beatty Street Bicycle Co-Op, a project of Pittsburgh Urban Leadership Service Experience (PULSE), was a “do-it-yourself” educational workshop in a small garage space in Highland Park where residents were given the space to learn about bicycle repair and fix their own bicycles. This bicycle co-op was modeled after Free Ride in Pittsburgh and Chain Reaction in Goshen, Indiana. It served a hyper-local audience of East Liberty, Garfield, and Highland Park residents, promoting bicycling as an affordable, healthy, and green mode of transportation and educating riders with repair and maintenance skills.

The Blacksmith Shop at Returning Home Farm

Using the DIY appeal of blacksmithing to engage people in ongoing conversations around issues of community, local production and commerce, and eco-friendly living.

The Blacksmith Shop at Returning Home Farm

$1,000 » New Sun Rising, 2015 Grand Ideas project support

The Blacksmith Shop at Returning Home Farm, a project fiscally sponsored by New Sun Rising, was a community-based initiative that engaged residents of Penn Hills and surrounding areas in learning about and experiencing traditional, eco-friendly ways of life. The Blacksmith Shop used the DIY appeal of blacksmithing to engage people in ongoing conversations around issues of community, local production and commerce, and eco-friendly living. By offering introductory classes as well as “open shop” times when local blacksmiths and learners can gather, The Blacksmith Shop enabled those interested in blacksmithing to work on projects together and share knowledge in a community setting.

Co-opoly Untournament

Introducing players to cooperative economic opportunity principles by playing Co-opoly, a board game, in “UnTournaments” held in public locations.

Co-opoly Untournament

$1,000 » New Sun Rising, 2015 Grand Ideas project support

Co-opoly Untournament, a project lead by Pittsburgh Chamber of Cooperatives and fiscally sponsored by New Sun Rising, was a series of informal workshops that encouraged participants to play Co-opoly, the cooperate version of “Monopoly”. The board game introduced players to cooperative principles and the economic opportunity that cooperatives present. Prior to and in between “UnTournaments” game sets were left at public locations along with information on the Pittsburgh Chamber of Cooperatives, the background on cooperatives, and the Cooperate Pittsburgh Directory to help generate interest in local cooperatives and future “UnTournament” gatherings.

The Fantasy Black Draft

Hosting a pseudo-sports draft event to engage the community in discussion around the effect of progress on Pittsburgh’s Black population.

The Fantasy Black Draft

$1,000 » 7th Movement Development, LLC, 2015 Grand Ideas project support

The Fantasy Black Draft, a project of 7th Movement Development, was a live pseudo-sports draft event during which fifty Black Pittsburghers who have left to live in other cities were invited to consider returning to Pittsburgh by a diverse set of ten Pittsburgh stakeholders and leaders. Utilizing the dramaturgy of a football sports draft, The Fantasy Black Draft invited the Pittsburgh public to nominate Black former Pittsburghers who had left Pittsburgh to return and contribute to Pittsburgh’s progress via the technology, education, medical, financial development and public policy sectors based on their professional experience. The Fantasy Black Draft was a precursor to a larger project entitled The Black Draft, during which five Black former Pittsburghers were drafted to return to Pittsburgh and five Black current Pittsburghers were drafted to stay in Pittsburgh.

Pizza Poems PGH

Using the universally accepted medium of pizza to help students share their thoughts and actively engage with their community.

Pizza Poems PGH

$1,000 » New Sun Rising, 2015 Grand Ideas project support

Pizza Poems PGH, a project fiscally sponsored by New Sun Rising, was a celebration of poetry and pizza that took place in April for National Poetry Month. Students from Visual Arts 2: Public Art at Pittsburgh Milliones University Prep (UPrep) in the Hill District, as well as students from the after-school art club at Westinghouse, wrote poems inspired by, or in celebration of, one of the most beloved foods – PIZZA. They then made artwork that was inspired by their completed poems and both the poems/art were screen-printed onto pizza boxes that were used to distribute pizzas in April. Through this project, youth were actively engaged with their community and promoted poetry and art through the accessible medium of pizza.

Pop des Fleurs

Bringing unexpected brightness and joy in the middle of winter through pop-up flower gardens made from repurposed, durable materials.

Pop des Fleurs

$1,000 » Fiberarts Guild of Pittsburgh, 2015 Grand Ideas project support

Pop des Fleurs, a project of Fiberarts Guild of Pittsburgh, was a large-scale outdoor installation in Arsenal Park in Lawrenceville. The installation of handmade colorful flowers made from repurposed materials brought unexpected brightness and joy in the middle of winter through pop-up flower gardens. Skill sharing workshops, led by the Fiberarts Guild of Pittsburgh, educated community participants about various techniques to create durable, beautiful flowers. The installation served as a grassroots-level preview event for the Fiberarts International Conference of 2016.

Steel City Folk School Pop-up

Bringing people with a wide variety of interests together to share their passions, learn new skills, and catalyze an informal community of learning in Pittsburgh.

Steel City Folk School Pop-up

$1,000 » Waldorf School of Pittsburgh, 2015 Grand Ideas project support

Steel City Folk School Pop-up, a project of Waldorf School of Pittsburgh, brought a folk school ethos to Pittsburgh using a pop-up adult folk school model, focusing on 2 traditions: craft and social justice. The project was a demonstration day event on the Waldorf School of Pittsburgh’s campus featuring example classes, activities for children so parents could attend, a communal meal, evaluation, and a concluding celebration.

Stepping Stanzas

Promoting the use of public steps and celebrated the city’s heritage, diversity, and distinctive geography through music and performance.

Stepping Stanzas

$1,000 » South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association, 2015 Grand Ideas project support

Stepping Stanzas, a pilot project fiscally sponsored by South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association, was a performance arts series intended that promoted the use of Pittsburgh’s public steps and celebrated the city’s rich heritage, diversity, and distinctive geography. Steppin’ Stanzas events took place on city steps to offer a new way for residents to experience the landscape of their neighborhood. The launch event was in association with South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association’s Annual Step Trek, where the Steppin’ Stanzas co-founders/resident artists Paola Corso and Andrew Edwards along with several guest artists presented short works on South Side city steps throughout the event.

The Block Party

Celebrating the valuable resources and local identities of the 18 Northside neighborhoods through a series of mini-arts festivals.

The Block Party

$25,000 » The New Hazlett Center for the Performing Arts, 2015 One Northside project support

The Block Party, a project of The New Hazlett Center for the Performing Arts, was a series of mini-arts festivals that called attention to and celebrated the valuable resources and local identities of the eighteen Northside neighborhoods of Pittsburgh. The project partnered with local social and creative organizations to develop a unique urban experience for each neighborhood, creating opportunities for Northsiders and Pittsburghers alike to connect with each other and find common ground as they enjoyed the space in which they lived and the stories they collectively shared.

Community Hub @ Café on the Corner

Providing free Wi-Fi, board and card games, visual art, and musical performances to break down barriers between residents.

Community Hub @ Café on the Corner

$1,050, 2015 One Northside project support

Community Hub @ Café on the Corne enabled LaTeresa and Michael Blackwell to create the Community Hub at their business, Café on the Corner, as a safe haven for neighborhood residents— a place with good food and good conversation. With free Wi-Fi service, board and card games, visual art and musical performances, the Community Hub attracted more than 30 visitors each day and broke down barriers between longtime residents and people newer to the neighborhood.

Deutschtown City Steps Mosaic Mural

Bringing together neighborhood residents to turn the local city steps into a mosaic mural.

Deutschtown City Steps Mosaic Mural

$1,050 » Community Alliance of Spring Garden - East Deutschtown, 2015 One Northside project support

Deutschtown City Steps Mosaic Mural covered the cement base of the city steps at a landmark intersection in the East Allegheny-Deutschtown and Spring Garden neighborhoods with a mosaic mural. The mural was approximately 120 square feet and featured imagery relevant to the history of the neighborhoods. It also coordinated with the completed mural at Homer and Damas in the Spring Hill-City View neighborhood. Residents helped make parts of the mural in neighborhood workshops at City View Church and Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild.

Deutschtown Public Art Mural

Highlighting the positive aspects of the neighborhood through a mural designed based on community input.

Deutschtown Public Art Mural

$10,000 » East Allegheny Community Council, 2015 One Northside project support

Deutschtown Public Art Mural, a project of East Allegheny Community Council, engaged a local artist to create a mural that highlighted positive aspects of area, with a committee of residents and business owners ultimately selecting the mural design. The mural replaced a blank wall in the business district where large community events regularly took place.

Getting There: A Morning Walk in the Dark

Highlighting the difficulties that local youth encounter getting to school each morning through a community walk in the dark.

Getting There: A Morning Walk in the Dark

$1,050, 2015 One Northside project support

Getting There…A Morning Walk in the Dark, a project of Brett and Chandler Searcy, brought awareness to the community of the difficulties that Perry Hilltop students encounter getting to school—such as broken city steps, “snow stops” miles away from regular bus stops, unsafe routes, and dark pathways—causing poor attendance and lower achievement at school. More than 30 parents, students, teachers, and representatives from government, foundations, universities, and businesses took a “Walk in My Shoes in the Dark” on November 5, 2015 with students and afterward listened to a youth panel, enabling participants to experience the structural difficulties that Northside students face getting to school. This youth-led project succeeded in attracting mainstream media attention for issues addressed by the youth panel and the walk in the dark with a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette story on the front page of the Local section.

Manchester Math, Mud & More Summer Camp

Combining math tutoring with healthy outdoor activities to engage neighborhood youth during the summer months.

Manchester Math, Mud & More Summer Camp

$1,050 » Pittsburgh Struggling Student Association & GTECH Strategies, 2015 One Northside project support

Manchester Math, Mud & More Summer Camp, a project of Pittsburgh Struggling Student Association & GTECH Strategies, From Manchester, Lisa Freeman led an 8-week summer camp for 25 students from Pittsburgh Manchester K-8, combining math tutoring with healthy outdoor activities in the Manchester Growing Together Garden. Math Doctors, acclaimed educators combining mathematics tutoring and youth-adult mentoring, held sessions in the “mud” of the garden, combining math and science instruction with healthy outdoor activities.

Riverside Community Corrections Center Resident Garden

Encouraging healthy lifestyles, peer learning, and self-reliance by having Riverside Corrections Center residents build and maintain a community garden.

Riverside Community Corrections Center Resident Garden

$1,050 » Riverside CCC and Manchester Citizens Corp, 2015 One Northside project support

Riverside Corrections Center Community Garden, a project of Manchester Citizens Corporation, built a garden using permaculture within the walls of the state prison in the Chateau neighborhood. Residents of the institution were responsible for caring for the garden inside the Riverside CCC courtyard and harvesting the produce, which could be used in the center’s kitchen. The ideas of healthy eating, self-reliance, and sustainability were discussed with residents who will need these ideas to be successful upon reintegration into society. Peer learning and mentoring was encouraged while team members attended gardening workshops, built raised beds, planted, cared for, and harvested the garden in addition to being given a library of gardening books.

21st Sensory Mall

Exploring post-mall culture through installations and performances in the nearly-abandoned Century III Mall.

21st Sensory Mall

$1,000 » dadpranks, 2015 Open Engagement honorarium

21st Sensory Mall, a project of dadpranks, was an exploration of post-mall culture through installations and performances in the nearly-abandoned Century III Mall.

Buddy Benches

Encouraging students to include their peers during recess and serving as a place for children to go when they don’t have anyone to play with.

Buddy Benches

$500 » Ellen Zissis, 2016 Change Machine project support

Buddy Benches for my Little Buddies, a project of 12-year old Hayden Zissis, painted and installed benches at the elementary schools in the Canon McMillan School District. The Buddy Benches were meant to encourage students to include their peers during recess, serving as a place for children to go when they don’t have anyone to play with. Hayden decorated the benches with handprints of students and the words “Buddy Bench” and went to the schools to teach the elementary students the purpose of the benches after they were installed.

The John Show

Highlighting the issue of mental health through a film screening and panel series corresponding to an exhibit featuring portraits of a local artist that attempted suicide.

The John Show

$1,000 » Julie Sokolow, 2016 Grand Ideas project support

The John Show, a project led by Julie Sokolow, was a series of screenings of the documentary The John Show that used corresponding speaker panels as a platform for discussion of mental health. The documentary focused on “John Riegert,” an exhibition at SPACE Gallery that featured 250 portraits of local artist John Riegert created by his peers. After a serious suicide attempt, the exhibition and documentary were put together to rally John’s spirits and bring awareness to the issue of mental health. The panel was comprised of the film’s director, producer, artists involved with the exhibition, and an expert in mental health.

LISTEN UP! Pittsburgh Neighborhood Debate Classic

Promoting critical exchange to analyze problems and solutions so residents can use these skillsets to address issues in their own communities.

LISTEN UP! Pittsburgh Neighborhood Debate Classic

$1,000 » Minor Victories, 2016 Grand Ideas project support

LISTEN UP! Pittsburgh Neighborhood Debate Classic, a project of Minor Victories, was a debate competition that promoted critical exchange and analysis of thoughts in economically disadvantaged communities in Pittsburgh. The debate competitions empowered members of these communities through the agency and critical thinking needed to analyze problems and solutions in debates so that residents could use these skillsets to address issues in their own communities. Each neighborhood hosted a local tournament, with the winning team representing each neighborhood in a tournament that determined the grand champion team.

Pittsburgh Climate Change Crankie

Starting conversations about Pittsburgh’s industrial history, its environmental legacy, and the community’s role in making improvements for the future.

Pittsburgh Climate Change Crankie

$1,000 » New Sun Rising, 2016 Grand Ideas project support

Pittsburgh Climate Change Crankie, a project from Independent Project Manager Katy DeMent and fiscally sponsored by New Sun Rising, was a manually powered paper panoramic illustration that told the story of Pittsburgh’s environmental evolution. The crankie showed man’s impact on Pittsburgh’s environment through the history of one small house over time followed by illustrations of how we can make choices to mitigate the effects of climate change in the community. This project bridged to conversations about Pittsburgh’s industrial history, its environmental legacy, and the community’s role in making improvements for the future through performances accompanied by hands-on art activities for all ages.

Pittsburgh Women MAKE it.

Highlighting the work and stories of 12 community-selected women makers and artists through a blog and printed publication.

Pittsburgh Women MAKE it.

$1,000 » New Sun Rising, 2016 Grand Ideas project support

Pittsburgh Women MAKE it., a project led by Rachel Saul Rearick and fiscally sponsored by New Sun Rising, highlighted women makers and artists, sharing their work and stories through a blog and printed publication. The 12 featured women came from a variety of artistic backgrounds and were selected by community voting. A social mixer additionally served as a way for the participants to meet each other along with other people connected to the local arts industry.

Hope for the Homeless

Changing how people feel about the homeless and providing ways to help care for the homeless in their community.

Hope for the Homeless

$1,050 » L.I.V.I.N.G. Ministry, 2016 One Northside project support

Hope for the Homeless, a project of L.I.V.I.N.G. Ministry, was comprised of Pittsburgh’s largest clothing and food distribution event for the homeless and a conference specifically designed for people who serve the homeless. The project’s goal was to change how people feel about the homeless and to share ways how people can help care for the homeless. More than 325 volunteers helped throughout the project, which resulted in photos of love, compassion, joy, and oneness instead of the more typical fear, anger, and frustration around homeless people. In total, more than 500 people received food, clothing, and raffle prizes at the distribution event and 74 service providers from over 12 organizations participated in the conference. The project additionally raised over $2,000 through an ioby crowdfunding campaign.

Metamorphosis: “She’s Got Her Wings”

Using performance art to create a safe space for women of color to work through and heal from traumatic experiences.

Metamorphosis: “She’s Got Her Wings”

$1,050 » Ayeshah Bulls, 2016 One Northside project support

Metamorphosis - “She’s Got Her Wings”, a project of of Ayeshah Bulls, was a performance arts project geared towards creating a space for women of color on the Northside to share their stories of traumatic experiences. Through the project, 5 women worked through a process of group sharing, therapeutic groups, field trips, and guest speakers to reflect on how their individual experiences impacted who they are today. This process helped them to share the resulting art through a performance at Neu Kirche Contemporary Arts Center as a way to encourage and empower women that are silently suffering. Audience members, who included participants of various organizations that serve women who have experienced trauma, offered encouraging feedback and applauded the participants’ inspiring healing process.

Mosaic Mural Welcome to Perry Hilltop and Fineview

Utilizing historic research and interviews with community members to inform the content of a neighborhood mural designed by local youth.

Mosaic Mural Welcome to Perry Hilltop and Fineview

$5,000 » Perry Hilltop Citizens Council, 2016 One Northside project support

Mosaic Mural Welcome to Perry Hilltop and Fineview, a project of Perry Hilltop Citizens Council, was the creation of a mosaic mural at the entrance to the Perry Hilltop and Fineview neighborhoods. The mosaic’s design and tiles are created by high school students at The Pittsburgh Project, using historic research and interviews with community members to inform the content of the mural. Additionally, a low maintenance green space surrounding the mosaic mural was installed to complete the new entryway to the neighborhoods.

Northview Heights Women’s Writers Group

Expanding a creative writing and performance program that focuses on female empowerment and self-expression.

Northview Heights Women’s Writers Group

$5,000 » Neu Kirche Contemporary Art Center, 2016 One Northside project support

Northview Heights Women’s Writers Group, a project of Neu Kirche Contemporary Art Center, expanded the creative writing/performance program for women in Northview Heights. The program focused on female empowerment and self-expression, building upon the momentum from the pilot year in order to introduce the participants to new audiences while also expanding project collaborations throughout the Northside.

ToolKeeper Neighbors

Training neighbors to help neighborhood children repair bikes and empowering the children to learn how to do the repairs themselves.

ToolKeeper Neighbors

$1,050 » Church of Our Saviour, 2016 One Northside project support

ToolKeeper Neighbors, a project of UM Church of Our Savior, worked to create and circulate six bike repair kits throughout the Northview Heights community. The kits were distributed to ToolKeeper Neighbors – an individual or family willing to help neighborhood children fix bikes with an emphasis on helping the children learn how to do it themselves. Children in the community that needed bicycle repairs could then be directed to the ToolKeeper Neighbors, where they could borrow repair tools, get assistance, and contribute their assistance to help others. This approach provided flexibility according to the schedules and needs of the local youth while also providing adults and children with a sense that they are contributing to their diverse community.

Cultural Gumbo

Helping New Sun Rising celebrate a decade of building culture and community at Mr. Small’s Theater in Millvale.

Cultural Gumbo

$500 » New Sun Rising, 2016 Sprout Sponsorship sponsorship

Cultural Gumbo, an event hosted by New Sun Rising, celebrated a decade of building culture and community in Pittsburgh. Hosted at Mr. Small’s Theater in Millvale, the event featured games, music, sideshows, food, and interactive stations highlighting New Sun Rising’s affiliated projects.

E3: Engage, Educate, Empower

Providing training and engagement to enable young Black women and femmes to take a stand and effect local change.

E3: Engage, Educate, Empower

$5,000 » New Voices Pittsburgh, 2017 100 Days project support

E3: Engage, Educate, Empower, a project of New Voices Pittsburgh, provided training and engagement to enable young Black women and femmes to take a stand and effect local change.

Global Minds

Working to combat cultural intolerance by linking English language learners and native speakers in local high schools.

Global Minds

$4,500 » Global Minds Initiative, Inc., 2017 100 Days project support

Global Minds, a project of Global Minds Initiative Inc., combated cultural intolerance by linking high school age English language learners and native speakers.

I Wish to Say

Inviting people to draft letters to the new President of the United States with a community art event in Market Square.

I Wish to Say

$500 » Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, 2017 100 Days sponsorship

I Wish to Say, an event hosted by the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, invited people to draft letters to the new President of the United States. The public art performances took place in Market Square on April 28-29, 2017.

Muslim Ally Training

Teaching community members how to ensure comfort and convey solidarity with Muslims in America through a dynamic diversity training.

Muslim Ally Training

$500 » Union Project, 2017 100 Days sponsorship

Muslim Ally Training, an event hosted by the Union Project in partnership with the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh and Food Truck, was a dynamic diversity training that taught participants how to ensure comfort and convey solidarity with Muslims in America.

Off the Street and Into the Kitchen

Bringing ex-offenders off the street and into the kitchen through paid farm-to-table restaurant training.

Off the Street and Into the Kitchen

$5,000 » Community Kitchen Pittsburgh, 2017 100 Days project support

Off the Street and Into the Kitchen, a project of Community Kitchen Pittsburgh, worked to get ex-offenders off the street and into the kitchen through paid farm-to-table restaurant training.

#PGHYouthVision

Sharing youth perspectives about the future of our region with policymakers and organizers through data collection, a media campaign, and a town hall event.

#PGHYouthVision

$5,000 » Bike Pittsburgh, 2017 100 Days project support

#PGHYouthVision, a project of Bike Pittsburgh, shared youth perspectives about the future of our region with policymakers and organizers through a media campaign, data collection, and a town hall event in Spring 2017.

Prototype Workshop Series

Breaking down gendered stereotypes through feminist workshops in making, engineering, and self-advocacy.

Prototype Workshop Series

$5,000 » New Sun Rising, 2017 100 Days project support

Prototype Workshop Series, a project fiscally sponsored by New Sun Rising, broke down gendered stereotypes through feminist workshops in making, engineering, self-advocacy, and more.

Shattered Glass Podcast

Telling the stories of extraordinary women breaking the glass ceiling.

Shattered Glass Podcast

$2,200 » New Sun Rising, 2017 100 Days project support

Shattered Glass Podcast, a project of New Sun Rising, told the stories of extraordinary women breaking the glass ceiling.

The Soil Superheroes

Investigating soil lead levels in Homewood through youth-led exploration and research.

The Soil Superheroes

$5,000 » New Sun Rising, 2017 100 Days project support

The Soil Superheroes, a project fiscally sponsored by New Sun Rising, investigated soil lead levels in Homewood through youth-led exploration and research.

Standing Strong Together

Equipping individuals with artmaking and engagement tools to advocate for reproductive rights.

Standing Strong Together

$4,950 » Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania, 2017 100 Days project support

Standing Strong Together, a project of Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania, equiped individuals with artmaking and engagement tools to advocate for reproductive rights.

That’s Us

Enfranchising Allegheny County residents by establishing a network of grassroots change agents and promoting voter registration.

That’s Us

$5,000 » Primary Care Health Services, Inc., 2017 100 Days project support

That’s Us, a project of Primary Care Health Services, enfranchised Allegheny County residents by establishing a network of grassroots change agents.

We Speak Soccer

Forging connections between immigrants, refugees, and the greater Pittsburgh community through a mutual love of the game.

We Speak Soccer

$5,000 » Pittsburgh Soccer in the Community, 2017 100 Days project support

We Speak Soccer, a project of Pittsburgh Soccer in the Community, forged connections between immigrants, refugees, and the greater Pittsburgh community through a mutual love of the game.

From Pantry to Plate

Educating residents on healthy living and cooking, no matter their income level.

From Pantry to Plate

$1,000 » Infinite Lifestyle Solutions, 2017 One Northside project support

From Pantry to Plate, a project of Infinite Lifestyle Solutions, hosted food demonstrations at the Greater Allen AME Church as a way to provide health and wellness education in a fun atmosphere. Nutritionists from the community food bank helped plan the 6-week program, using food available at the food bank. A wellness coach or nurse additionally served as a guest speaker at each workshop to provide information on topics such diabetes and heart disease before attendees sat down to share a healthy meal together.

Pigeon Positivity

Using the creation and installation of public art to bring together elementary students and elderly residents on the Northside.

Pigeon Positivity

$1,000 » ioby, 2017 One Northside project support

Pigeon Positivity, a project fiscally sponsored by In Our Backyards, Inc., used the creation of public art to bring together Spring Hill Elementary students and elderly residents at St. Ambrose high-rise to decorate ceramic pigeons. The pigeons were mounted in public places throughout the Spring Hill and a scavenger hunt map was created to engage other members of the community in the project.

Reach Out and Read comes to the Northside!

Providing developmentally and culturally appropriate books to Northside children from 6 months through 5 years of age at each regular pediatric checkup.

Reach Out and Read comes to the Northside!

$1,000 » Allegheny Clinic, 2017 One Northside project support

Reach Out and Read comes to the Northside!, a project of Allegheny Clinic Pediatrics, brought the Reach Out and Read program to the Pediatric Alliance – Allegheny office. Reach Out and Read was a national program that worked to prepare the youngest children to succeed in school by partnering with doctors to prescribe books and encourage families to read together. The pediatricians and pediatric nurse practitioners advised parents to read frequently to their children and, at the same time, distributed free, brand-new, developmentally- and culturally-appropriate books to children from 6 months through 5 years of age at each regular checkup.

We Are Glad You Are Our Neighbor Picnic

Building relationships between residents of different cultures and backgrounds through an event that celebrates their differences.

We Are Glad You Are Our Neighbor Picnic

$1,000 » Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church, 2017 One Northside project support

We Are Glad You Are Our Neighbor Picnic, a project of Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church, brought together several local church communities with the members of the Somali Bantu community from Northview Heights and the Greater Pittsburgh Muslim Association for a day of celebration. The event featured an opportunity for each group to share its talents, music, food, and stories with their neighbors in order to build a sense of welcome. The Mayor also attended the event to show his support for building relationships between residents of different cultures and backgrounds.

The City As Our Maker Space

Conducting a 6-month program specializing in literacy, wellness, and health for low-income, marginalized women with a focus on women of color with the ultimate goal of supporting women to pursue careers in technology and creative entrepreneurship.

The City As Our Maker Space

$44,000 » New Sun Rising, 2018 Economic Opportunity project support

The City As Our Maker Space, a project of Prototype PGH fiscally sponsored by New Sun Rising, conducted a 6-month program for low-income, marginalized women with a focus on women of color. This program specialized in literacy, wellness, and health, with the ultimate goal of supporting women to pursue careers in technology and creative entrepreneurship. The program was led by representatives from the 5 working group partner organizations: Prototype PGH, Black Unicorn Library, A Piece of Mind, Ujamaa Collective, and Flower House.