“What is the role of an arts organization, and a cultural district, in propelling change for downtowns across the country?” 

That’s a question facing Kendra Whitlock Ingram, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. Before exploring the answer, she introduced some important Pittsburgh lingo: “redd up,” meaning to tidy up.

“Redding up in Pittsburgh has led to a couple of renaissance moments over the last 80 years,” she said. One of those moments began in the 1980s, when Pittsburgh Cultural Trust was founded to ignite the turnaround of a troubled district. Another moment is starting now.

“When the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust was founded 40 years ago, its mission was to use the arts as an economic catalyst,” Kendra said. That work succeeded, and today the trust encompasses theatres, galleries and mixed-use properties. Each year, two million people visit the cultural district for arts and entertainment, generating more than $300 million in economic impact.

But the pandemic hit Pittsburgh hard, and recovery has been slow. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh is preparing to host the 2026 NFL Draft, an event that could bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city. In preparation for this spotlight, civic and arts leaders are coming together to implement a transformational vision for downtown. 

“The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is renowned not just as an arts leader, but for its ability to catalyze positive change downtown. We did it forty years ago, and we will do it again.”

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust plays a key role in this coalition. That’s because an important early phase of the revitalization project focuses on a parcel of land owned primarily by the trust. Early sketches for the plot include an outdoor stage, a plaza with flexible seating and an area for food trucks. This multimodal space will extend the cultural trust’s artistic footprint and offer new ways to engage residents and visitors. The trust’s initial mission — to use the arts to galvanize economic growth — continues to drive the organization forward.

“Just like 40 years ago, the people of Pittsburgh know it’s time to redd up downtown,” Kendra said. “Arts and culture is poised to lead the way as the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust kicks off this historic revitalization project.” 

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Kendra Whitlock Ingram presented this talk live as part of Tessitura’s Innovator Series at the Tessitura Learning & Community Conference in Washington, D.C., in August 2024.