Contemporary Craft has been awarded a $500,000 state funding grant through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, state Rep. Sara Innamorato announced Friday.
The money will be used to purchase industrial property in Upper Lawrenceville and renovate it as a community arts center that is projected to open in April 2020.
“Social and cultural institutions across America are feeling the squeeze of increased cost of real estate, while public funding for accessible arts ... has been slashed,” Ms. Innamorato, D-Lawrenceville, said in a press release. “This public investment through RACP for a permanent home in a former industrial site for Contemporary Craft is a counterforce to the displacement that gentrification has had on our region’s residents, community-oriented institutions and service providers.”
Contemporary Craft has been forced to leave its home of 33 years in the Strip District due to redevelopment of the Produce Terminal building.
The renovated property will include an exhibition gallery, a flexible studio space for educational classes and lectures, and a retail store. It will be accessible, inclusive and free.
“This award is a wonderful vote of confidence from State Representative Sara Innamorato, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and other elected officials reflecting their belief in the importance of this project and its value for the region,” said Janet McCall, executive director of Contemporary Craft, in a release.
“The $500,000 moves us significantly forward on achieving our $5.5 million campaign goal. We look forward to welcoming the community into our new art facility next April.”
The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program is a commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects.
M. Thomas: mthomas@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1925.
First Published: August 2, 2019, 10:53 p.m.
