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May 18, 2004 - Greater Pittsburgh Arts Alliance News Brief

Volume 2| Issue 26| May 18, 2004

Definitive Collaboration

Webster's Dictionary defines the word collaborate in two ways, "to work with others", and "to cooperate with an enemy that has invaded one's country".

Given the territorialism often found in western Pennsylvania's nonprofits and governments, it's not unlikely that the second definition could prevail. Fortunately the art community grasps the significance of working with others and is doing it well. The spirit of collaboration is strong and evident in current events in the region.

This season has seen a number of successful and unusual partnerships that, not surprisingly, address known issues in the arts. One of the proven barriers to attendance for fledgling arts consumers is the perception that 'they don't look like me', also known as 'the what to wear' question. The Arts Alliance has joined with the Venture Outdoors, formerly the Western Pennsylvania Field Institute to add arts destinations to Venture Outdoors pedal, hike, and paddle tours of the city. Biking and paddling gear, while always welcome will be especially evident on arts patrons this summer. Details about all tours can be viewed at http://www.VentureOutdoors.org.

The Pittsburgh Opera has found a unique cross-cultural solution to another attendance challenge. What does a company do when its traditional audience rejects a non-familiar opera and potential new audiences don't currently attend? The key solution has been identifying and connecting to diverse communities with complementary strategic goals.

Dead Man Walking, a modern, English language opera based on the book by Sister Helen Prejean, raises difficult questions about justice, suffering, revenge, and belief. These questions are being discussed in cooperative programs the Opera is hosting with the Psychoanalytic Institute, Pitt Law School, the Catholic Diocese, and the Thomas Merton Center among others.

The results? Not only challenging conversations for hundreds of Pittsburghers, but new attendees at Opera evenings such as a designated 'Pitt Alumnae Night', a fundraising event for the Merton Center, and candlelight vigils by Amnesty International and the ACLU.

Given the current financial situations of the city and county, of course government collaborations are in the forefront of many water cooler conversations. The Arts Alliance will be talking about the region's fractured government structure affect on arts and culture. Co-hosted by the Center for Arts Management & Technology at Carnegie Mellon University, Friday's discussion with a panel of business and arts leaders and researchers will look beyond the obvious economic contribution of a vibrant art & cultural scene, and the concurrent rise in quality of life, to how the arts bridge the divide between urban, rural, and suburban sectors.

At the root of western Pennsylvania problems such as declining population, low education levels, and lack of diversity and economic growth, is attitude. As long as 'us or them', 'me or you' selfishness exists we will not have the capacity to truly collaborate. Taking a page from our scene, it's readily apparent that Webster's definition of working together has enormous payoff for all parties involved, while crossing the divide of age, race, gender, education, lifestyle, and geography.

Julie Farr
Executive Director
Greater Pittsburgh Arts Alliance
 

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The Arts Alliance advocates for the arts in Western Pennsylvania. The Arts Alliance works to enhance our region using the arts as a catalyst for growth, change, and enrichment.