TrustArts Pressroom

Derek Scalzott | Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
Scalzott@TrustArts.org | 412-471-8715

Diana Roth | Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
Roth@TrustArts.org | 412-471-8717

è Download Media Kit

·          Fast Facts & Features

·          Economic Impact Overview

·          Timelapse Construction Video

·          New Site Rendering

THE PITTSBURGH CULTURAL TRUST UNVEILS ARTS LANDING,
A ONCE-IN-A-GENERATION TRANSFORMATION IN DOWNTOWN PITTSBURGH

This morning’s ribbon cutting ceremony marks the next chapter in the
Cultural Trust’s arts-driven revitalization in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District

PITTSBURGH, PA, April 17, 2026: The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust cut the ribbon and celebrated the soft opening of Arts Landing – a four-acre, outdoor civic space in the heart of the Cultural District – joined by elected officials and civic leaders from across the Commonwealth, County, and City.

For more than 40 years, the Cultural Trust has demonstrated the power of arts-driven revitalization downtown. Each year, the Trust’s work supports more than 1,700 jobs and generates more than $175 million for the regional economy. That’s $1 billion in cumulative economic impact for the region since reopening post-pandemic. Now, Arts Landing is positioned to enhance the Cultural Trust’s impact, in service to the community.

“Arts Landing builds on the Cultural Trust’s mission by creating a new Downtown destination where people want to gather, stay longer, and return more often,” shared Kendra Whitlock Ingram, President & CEO of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. “This is a momentous day for the Trust, Downtown, and our entire region. Thank you to all our partners whose leadership, generosity, and collaboration have brought us to this special moment.”

Arts Landing is a key project within the Downtown Revitalization Vision and Governor Josh Shapiro’s $600M plan for Downtown Pittsburgh.

“Eighteen months ago, we brought together leaders from the public and private sector to revitalize Downtown Pittsburgh and turn this neighborhood into a thriving center for innovation, opportunity, and culture,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “Just a week before the NFL Draft, we have delivered on our promise to open Arts Landing on time. I’m proud of the progress we have already made together – building new affordable housing, creating safe, fun spaces like Arts Landing, and completing renovations at Point State Park – and we are going to continue to get stuff done in Downtown Pittsburgh for years to come.”

“What an incredible achievement for the Cultural Trust and all the partners who brought this project from idea to completion in just 22 months. Now locals and visitors will be able to enjoy this incredible public amenity, year-round,” said County Executive Sara Innamorato. “Our shared efforts to make downtown a safer, more welcoming neighborhood, reimagine public spaces, and convert under-used office space to housing is already paying dividends.”

“Arts Landing is the perfect example of investing in the vibrancy and future of Downtown,” said Mayor Corey O’Connor. “This used to be an old lot that’s been transformed into a beautiful, modern civic space. Thank you to Kendra Whitlock Ingram and the Cultural Trust for your leadership in bringing partners together to create an asset that supports arts, culture, families, and livability Downtown.”

Arts Landing advanced from concept to ribbon cutting in just 22 months, was completed in time for the NFL Draft, and is now positioned to serve residents and visitors alike for generations to come. Envisioned and operated by the Cultural Trust and designed by renowned landscape architecture firm Field Operations, the civic space was designed to welcome residents and visitors, host festivals and performances, exhibit public art, and provide opportunities for everyday recreation and relaxation. Key features within Arts Landing include:

•         The Dollar Bank Stage and great lawn will serve as the new permanent home for the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival, as well as a schedule of recurring activities, to be announced in May.

•         The Grable Playground is Downtown’s first-ever playground with artist-inspired play equipment.

•         The Giant Eagle Foundation Backyard offers a relaxing atmosphere with tables, seating, overhead lighting, and games (finishing touches coming in June).

•         The Highmark Courtyard provides flexible recreational space, including artist-designed mural pickleball courts and a fitness track (finishing touches coming in July).

•         The BNY Visitor Center features public restrooms, a water refill station, and 24/7 security to ensure that Arts Landing is a safe and welcoming destination for everyone.

•         The Colcom Foundation Overlook provides beautiful views of the skyline and bridges that can only be found in Pittsburgh.

•         The Buhl Foundation Lawn Ledges provide respite and the best seats in the house.

•         PPG Lane and the Fisher Family Garden Walk are beautiful new places for a Downtown stroll, surrounded by nearly 100 newly planted trees and native landscaping.

In addition to the generous funders who supported these key locations within Arts Landing, the following organizations supported the civic space’s construction and kick started its annual operating and maintenance fund:

Lisa Switkin, Partner at landscape architecture firm Field Operations, described the new civic space: “Arts Landing brings new life to an evolving downtown, shaped by community, the rivers, and Pittsburgh's remarkable cultural life. Framed by the city's iconic bridges, it is a place to gather, celebrate, play, be inspired, and simply be. We hope visitors feel that connection the moment they arrive.”

“Arts Landing, while first and foremost a civic destination for downtown, will also become a unique addition to the Pittsburgh Cultural District’s pantheon of venues,” added Sanjukta Sen, Associate Partner, Field Operations. “Its spaces reflect that dual role: with animated thresholds along Penn and Fort Duquesne Boulevard, play areas that invite wonder and exploration; and the gently sloped lawn that offers a moment of calm—while standing ready to transform into a vibrant stage for celebrating Pittsburgh’s arts and culture.”

OPENING TIMELINE

·         April 17 | Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

·         April 23-25 | Pitt Block Party at Arts Landing (first public event)

·         May | Soft Opening Period (fencing removed; accessible to public; final landscaping and related projects)

·         June 5-7 & 11-14 | Grand Opening at the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival

MORE RESOURCES

·         FAST FACTS & FEATURES – overview of key amenities, sponsored spaces, site map, and more.

·         ECONOMIC IMPACT OVERVIEW – briefing on the Trust’s annual impact, soon to be enhanced by Arts Landing.

·         TIME-LAPSE VIDEO & SITE RENDERING – newly released, showcasing construction and final design.

·         TrustArts.org/ArtsLanding – public art details, rules and regulations, upcoming events, and more.

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ABOUT THE PITTSBURGH CULTURAL TRUST | The Cultural Trust is one of the nation’s premier arts presenters and a major catalytic influence in Pittsburgh, having overseen one of the city’s most historic transformations: turning a red-light district into a magnet destination for arts-lovers, residents, visitors, and business owners. Founded in 1984, the Cultural Trust presents an array of quality performing and visual arts, provides comprehensive educational experiences, and stewards Pittsburgh’s Cultural District as a national model of economic revitalization through the arts. Lauded as “the single greatest creative force in Pittsburgh,” the Cultural Trust has worked to make Pittsburgh a place where the arts can flourish. The 14-block Cultural District, a project of the Cultural Trust, has become a vibrant center for culture, art, food, and community in downtown Pittsburgh, providing a home for a broad range of performance groups and resident companies. More than one million people visit the Cultural District each year, generating more than $175M in economic impact for the region. | TrustArts.org | Facebook · Instagram · TikTok