The Richard King Mellon Foundation (RKMF) has announced grants totaling $2.69 million to bolster the performing arts in downtown Pittsburgh.

The foundation awarded special grants of $500,000 each to the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Pittsburgh Opera, Pittsburgh Public Theater, and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in support of efforts to revitalize attendance, engage new audiences, and improve financial operations that have suffered as traditional audiences have aged out—all challenges further exacerbated by COVID-19 pandemic disruptions. In addition, RKMF awarded research and development grants totaling $475,000 to the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and $215,000 to Carnegie Mellon University.

“It was clear to our board that this critical moment required a special infusion of additional support,” said RKMF director Sam Reiman. “This funding will give these organizations capital to take risks and test creative ideas that have the potential to engage new audiences, and to inspire traditional audiences to return downtown.”

(Photo credit: Unsplash/Walter Martin)