Academy of the South Side

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20. However, it was awarded a Sprout Fund Seed Award.

Idea Overview

Start a painters' resource in Pittsburgh by teaching classes, holding workshops, and importing cutting edge artists from other regions to give demonstrations and improve arts education.

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Dan Vogel, Tim Meehan, Shervin Iranshahr

What is the idea?

To start a painters' resource in Pgh by teaching classes, holding workshops, and importing cutting edge artists from other regions to give demonstrations and improve arts education

How would idea work?

• Start by giving painting classes for portraiture, figures, and utility drawing
• Import Sean Cheetham from LA and hold open model sessions and demonstrations to introduce program and for PR
• Teach palette systems, brush techniques, drawing methods, rendering practices, etc

Pluses:

• Help high school students prepare portfolios to enter prestigious art schools
• College students can take as supplemental education and eventually gain credit
• Young adults and hobbyists can take classes ala carte or as a comprehensive tract

Concerns:

• Sufficient interest and funding
• Accreditation issues
• Spreading to different disciplines

Community opportunities:

Mostly ages 16-35, but will create a larger awareness of Pgh as an arts education hotbed

 

Art Always

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award. 

Idea Overview

Public art performance spaces in the city and parks for artists to create and perform in

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Linda Plowman, Elizabeth Macwillie, Karthik D. Kathy Mccaluley

What is the idea?

Public art performance spaces in the city and parks for artists to create and perform in

How would idea work?

• Public art performance spaces
• Improved permanent spaces
• Dedicated musician spots
• Create music in the streets
• Start with vacant lots

Pluses:

• Brings art to the community
• Bridges gaps
• Exposure to local artists
• Brings art to low income neighborhoods

Concerns:

• Seasonal concerns
• How to attract and sustain a crowd
• Possible indoor spaces
• How to get artists involved
• Safety

Community opportunities:

Community areas

Art Aware

This Idea has been promoted to the Top 20.

Idea Overview

Public awareness for Pgh art events spanning all types of media (sculpture, painting, theater)

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Candice Toman, Feb Zetts, Cally McCoy

What is the idea?

Public awareness for Pgh art events spanning all types of media (sculpture, painting, theater)

How would idea work?

• Vending machines that sell bottled water with tickets, schedules, etc
• Give people opportunity to see new art events
• Supports art in Pgh
• Money donated back to artists
• Art in a tube with paints, cards, event postings

Pluses:

• Educates
• Supports local artists
• Bridges gap between people and art
• Makes art accessible

Concerns:

• Overuse of vending machines
• Misuse of machines
• Coordination with city officials

Community opportunities:

Children, non-profits, local artists, public at large

Arts Industry Incubator

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20. If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award.

Idea Overview

[Overview needed]

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

[No concept sheet completed]

 

Arts Publication

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award.

Idea Overview

An arts publication that supports existing venues, individual artists (through grants, studio information, and resources), educates the public, and unites all three: Publication helps articulate the needs of artists to local government and surrounding community. *web publication/ small print run.

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Ally, Katherine, Justin

What is the idea?

An arts publication that supports existing venues, individual artists (through grants, studio information, and resources), educates the public, and unites all three: Publication helps articulate the needs of artists to local government and surrounding community. *web publication/ small print run.

How would idea work?

• Grant, studio, education, and exhibit information, gallery events, venues, maps, artist classifieds (Craigslist for artists), features artists, art classes, and art as it relates to community
• Supports, expands, and enriches local arts community
• Local Web design company
• Bimonthly publication and media posting

Pluses:

• Connects artists to each other and to the community
• Provides patrons of the arts with centralized resource guide
• Fosters development of new projects

Concerns:

• Should it be web or print?
• Don't want to exclude non computer users but want to avoid costs and trouble of print
• Who maintains/runs publication and information resources
• Encourage artists/venues/educators to submit information

Community opportunities:

Artists, creative businesses, youth and adult education, neighborhood alliances and community development

Bridge Fest, Part II

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20. If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award.

Idea Overview

Art-up the bridges

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Erin Molchany, Zoe Eng Berg, Jaylin Thomas

What is the idea?

• Artists and community groups design and "Art-up" the bridges
• Juried competition of finished bridges
• Bridges would be national attraction as giant art exhibit
• Big party with winning bridge

How would idea work?

• Pgh companies "adopt" or sponsor a bridge
• Aesthetic and artist exposure and Pgh becomes national attraction
• City permits and call for artists and community participation
• Businesses work with artists

Pluses:

• National recognition
• Artist outlet
• Bridging business, art, and community showcasing the history of Pgh
• Increased foot, boat, bike traffic to see the bridges

Concerns:

• City permits and road closures
• Funding
• Capacity for painting, draping, completing the bridges
• Maintenance of the exhibit

Community opportunities:

Local artists, residents, Pgh companies, visitors, tourist industry, community volunteer opportunities

Cross-Pollinate Pittsburgh

 This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award. 

Idea Overview

Using open spaces to promote community interaction through interaction through a free pollinating circus with local, traveling artists

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Cliff Luft, Bill Godfrey, Tim Meehan, Bill Eberle, Nikhil Shirali

What is the idea?

Using open spaces to promote community interaction through interaction through a free pollinating circus with local, traveling artists

How would idea work?

• Create PR brochure, survey, and utilize all free advertisements to gain artist interests, locate neighborhoods, etc.
• Each month it hits a different community center
• Different ethnic food of the month (Indian, Greek, BBQ, etc)
• Music and theatrical performances, art displays, workshops
• A honeycomb entrance way, a variety show type format with people who have unusual talents/abilities
• Social networking websites; uses youth groups (schools, churches, etc) to attract talent
• Free with fundraising/donations

Pluses:

• Bring art and commerce through cross-neighborhood tourism to communities around the city
• Any section/any genre is open for discussion. Not restrictions
• Not capital intensive
• Fostering a sense of local community pride for residents of the relative neighborhood

Concerns:

• Security
• Insurance
• Port-o-johns/sanitation

Community opportunities:

• General public
• Community leaders
• Businesses looking to advertise
• Artists looking to get free advertising/exposure
  

Crossing Bridges

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award.  

Idea Overview

[Overview needed]

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

[No concept sheet submitted]

 

Graffiti Museum

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award.  

Idea Overview

Safe haven for taggers/artists, museums without walls is a place for graffiti artists to express themselves on designated places for graffiti art

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Room 617

What is the idea?

Safe haven for taggers/artists, museums without walls is a place for graffiti artists to express themselves on designated places for graffiti art

How would idea work?

• Locations/stations to create graffiti art
• Large, moveable canvases and surfaces that are left in neighborhoods that can be relocated for display
• Inter-neighborhood competitions
• Bring in famous graffiti artists
• Photograph (especially the temporary work) and create a Pgh book
• Sell books, calendars, postcards, wrapping paper based on works
• Surfaces can be canvas, sculpture, static walls

Pluses:

• Beautification
• Entertainment
• Publicity
• Tourist attraction

Concerns:

• Public outlash

Community opportunities:

Teens, taggers, artists

Hot Spot Signs

This Idea has been promoted to the Top 20. 

Idea Overview

[Overview needed]

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

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Hub-Bub

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award.  

Idea Overview

[Overview needed]

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

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Pittsburgh Artists Coming Together (PACT)

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award.  

Idea Overview

Collaborative of local artists of all genres, "one-stop-shop" centrally located downtown - one building

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Emily, Natalie, Rob, Heidi

What is the idea?

Collaborative of local artists of all genres, "one-stop-shop" centrally located downtown - one building

How would idea work?

• One building containing gallery, performance, office, rehearsal spaces, darkroom, etc
• Membership and classes
• Opportunities for artist and genre collaboration
• Information hub with flyer and ad space
• Map of Pgh art spaces
• Regulated and governed advisory board

Pluses:

• Showcase local artists
• Exposure of diverse art forms
• Community/artist collaborative
• Information/idea sharing

Concerns:

• Space allocation and time sharing
• Necessary technology and equipment
• Utilities

Community opportunities:

Everyone can benefit by enjoying the collaborative projects and community identity

Pittsburgh Jazz Museum

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award.  

Idea Overview

Create an institution whose mission is to preserve documents and support Pgh's role in the rich legacy of jazz in America. Through performance, education, exhibition and research the museum will stimulate the active tradition of jazz as a living part of community and culture.

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Jennifer Baron, Tanya Ferell, Greg Langel, Karen Dejulio, Bob Nev

What is the idea?

To create an institution whose mission is to preserve documents and support Pgh's role in the rich legacy of jazz in America. Through performance, education, exhibition and research the museum will stimulate the active tradition of jazz as a living part of community and culture.

How would idea work?

• The building would be situated somewhere in the traditionally "hot" areas of Pgh jazz history (The Hill, East End)
• There would be exhibits, didactic text, images, audio and video recordings
• A functioning recreation of a Pgh jazz club and restaurant
• A recording studio
• Oral history program called Jazz Story focusing on grassroots memories of Pgh jazz scene
• Ultimately produce documentaries

Pluses:

National collaborations with Carnegie Museums, Teenie Harris archives, MCG, Hill District CDC and Granada Theatre, Pgh 250, Pgh Musicians Union, Duquesne, Pitt, DUQ, Kelly Strayhorn Theatre, Afro American Music Institute, Jazz Workshop, August Wilson Center, Carnegie Library, and Pgh's rich pantheon of local living-legend jazz musicians.

Concerns:

Areas of jurisdiction among all of the above, or degrees of participation and control

Community opportunities:

• Historians
• Jazz musicians
• Black and white people to unite in common heritage
• Community sites of famous jazz occurrences
• Walking maps with recording stops

Progressive Pittsburgh

This Idea has been incorporated into the Community Exchange Club. 

Idea Overview

Monthly dining club with art and political themes with the goal to bring attention to local restaurants and artists; using food to experience art and civic involvement

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Linda Plowman, Cally McKoy, Elizabeth Macwillie

What is the idea?

Monthly dining club with art and political themes with the goal to bring attention to local restaurants and artists; using food to experience art and civic involvement

How would idea work?

• Progressive Pgh Punchcard
• Local, new, and artisan's restaurants
• Promotes dining in local neighborhoods to promote idea of local Pgh
• Newsletter and restaurant tours

Pluses:

• Promotes small, new restaurants
• Brings civic pride to local neighborhoods and businesses
• Brings communities together

Concerns:

• How to make affordable and self-sustaining?
• Willingness for business to cooperate?
• Creating a buzz

Community opportunities:

Bringing together artists and politicians with community members

Pulse of Pittsburgh

This Idea has been incorporated into the Greater Pittsburgh Web Hub. 

Idea Overview

Pittsburgh artistic resources for collaboration in corporate use in form of website and central office

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Heather Ferri, Sara Eilene Riddle, Michael Knight, Joann Wheeler, Oliver Poppenberg

What is the idea?

Pgh artistic resources for collaboration in corporate use in form of website and central office

How would idea work?

• Administrative team - create a website plus storefront to publicize Pgh talent to use Pgh people. Website will link to "artist page"
• Create a resource book about Pgh talent that local artist can use for promotion when traveling

Pluses:

• Awareness of Pgh artists
• Builds community between artists and corporations
• Financially we would create more opportunities to attract people to Pgh

Concerns:

• Challenge is finding he way to connect businesses and artists
• Artists need help in promoting talents - help with presentation material

Community opportunities:

Arts community, equity actors, corporations, educational institutions that train artists

Rec Room

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award.  

Idea Overview

Creating a devoted collection and space in the Carnegie Library to house resources for Pgh artists and archives for the Pgh arts communities through the years

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Ben Hartledge, Lindsay Clark, Heather Kropf

What is the idea?

• Creating a devoted collection and space in the Carnegie Library to house resources for Pgh artists and archives for the Pgh arts communities through the years
• Also acts as an access point for those who are interested in viewing and participating in the arts

How would idea work?

• Listening room for local music and arts oriented - oral history
• Resource swap allows patrons to check out tools (i.e. instruments, artist tools)
• Workshops, events, show build community
• Cultural archive (i.e. poster library) allows current arts community to build on past
• Work with Foundation Center to create targeted funding resources for artist
• Resources for artists to digitize and archive work to create a database for businesses and individuals to contract and commission work
• Resources for cultural tourists to acquaint themselves with local arts

Pluses:

• Library serves as neutral unthreatening space, well known as an information resource
• Centralized location for artist and patrons to find out about and connect with each other
• Develops and highlights Pgh's individual popular culture and cultural achievements

Concerns:

• A long term investment in time to collect
• Possible loss and damage to collection - harder to replace
• Dependant on cooperation of a physical space

Community opportunities:

People who want to become active in the arts as artists or patrons or collectors or promoters and artists themselves

Sculpturus Maximus

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award.  

Idea Overview

A new, large, interactive, permanent sculpture in a high traffic area to be a national landmark, bring people together in a meeting space, and serve as a representative of Pgh and its art

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Jacob, Jonathan, Roland

What is the idea?

A new, large, interactive, permanent sculpture in a high traffic area to:

• Be a national landmark
• Bring people together in a meeting space
• Serve as a representative of Pgh and its art

How would idea work?

• Promote by having a large mock sculpture draped in secrecy at location. This work would have a landscaped plaza
• Have artist at location to sketch community visions
• Hand out design contest flyers all around city
• Examples are: life-size game board in Philly, St Louis arch, silver bean in Chicago

Pluses:

• Local pride
• City visibility
• Unified mark of several city aspects

Concerns:

• Hard to represent Pgh
• Could become city's only image

Community opportunities:

Vend Pittsburgh Campaign

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award.  

Idea Overview

[Overview needed]

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

[paste text here]

 

West End Wanderings

This Idea did not make it to the Top 20.  If you are still interested in it, consider applying for a Sprout Fund Seed Award.  

Idea Overview

[Overview needed]

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Josh, Chuck, Patrick, Larry

What is the idea?

Using abandoned storefronts in the West End to display art work that reflects the neighborhood history

How would idea work?

• Bring attention to West End and awaken the cultural void
• Photos, paintings, writing - all West End themed
• Brings people to the neighborhood
• Have block party to get people excited and engaged

Pluses:

• Boost local morale by bring something positive to the area
• Assist in neighborhood revitalization

Concerns:

• Contacting building owners
• Collaborating artwork

Community opportunities:

James Gallery, Armands Art Gallery