Arts & Culture

Silver Eye Center for Photography’s “Ajamu X FIERCE: Pittsburgh” exhibition opening in partnership with Rainbow Serpent; image credit: Tara Geyer, courtesy of Silver Eye Center for Photography.

Art tells our stories and inspires our curiosity. It has the power to bring us together.

A vibrant arts and culture scene doesn’t happen by chance. It is built through organizations, partnerships and spaces that allow creativity to take root and grow.

Our goal is to strengthen the arts and culture ecosystem in southwestern Pennsylvania through grants for nonprofit organizations, so it is resilient and community centered — representing diverse ideas, connecting people and providing opportunity for artists to build sustainable careers.

At The Heinz Endowments, we take a long-term, collaborative approach to supporting the organizations and communities that make up southwestern Pennsylvania's arts ecosystem.

We believe southwestern Pennsylvania’s cultural future depends on every community member feeling a sense of belonging, where long-standing institutions and emerging voices co-exist and co-create, and where artistic excellence deepens the connections that make our region feel like home.

Our approach is grounded in what we've learned through research, data and relationships.

We advance our Arts & Culture strategy through three interconnected investment areas.

Sector Infrastructure

We support organizations that strengthen the systems the arts community relies on — through field coordination, shared resources, research and advocacy — so that arts organizations can focus more energy on their work and the communities they serve.

Cultural Participation

We support organizations that expand access to the arts and deepen connection to community — removing barriers so that more people can experience the arts.

Creative Workforce Pathways

We offer grant opportunities for nonprofits and support organizations that provide structured pathways into paid creative work — through training programs, apprenticeships and industry partnerships — so that talented people can build sustainable careers in southwestern Pennsylvania.

What We Don't Fund

Our focus is to strengthen the broader arts and culture ecosystem. We do not fund one-time projects; programming without systems, infrastructure, or community impact strategy; or requests that benefit a single organization without advancing the broader arts and culture ecosystem.

LEARN MORE ABOUT APPLYING FOR A GRANT

Grantee Spotlight

We support these and other arts and culture organizations in southwestern Pennsylvania. For a full list of supported projects and organizations, visit our searchable database of grants awarded.

Kelly Strayhorn Theater

Kelly Strayhorn Theater (KST) provides opportunity for Pittsburgh’s arts community by commissioning and producing original theater, music, dance and multimedia works that represent the kaleidoscope of diversity of our region.

Carnegie Museum of Art

Carnegie Museum of Art’s extensive slate of public programs creates opportunities for community connectedness and belonging by purposefully engaging youth, families and individuals from across our region.

Tech25

Tech25 believes that a strong, sustainable arts and culture community that makes talent want to stay here – and draws it from outside our region – means investing in training that leads to living wage careers in creativity-related industries.

Statement of Change, Spring 2026

We are always assessing our work and seeking opportunities to make a positive impact. Following an 18-month period of research, analysis and careful consideration of our region’s creative sector, our staff and board of trustees endorsed an evolution of this work.

As we move forward, we are prioritizing investments that create broad, ecosystem-level benefits – including shared infrastructure, increased participation and sense of belonging, and workforce pathways – so impact extends beyond any single artist or organization.

If you or your organization are thinking about applying for a grant or are wondering if your organization may be a good partner for the Endowments’ updated Arts & Culture strategy, please consider these questions:

Does your project or organization build shared infrastructure that benefits multiple artists or partners?
Does it lead with strategies to increase participation, remove visible and invisible barriers, and consistently offer meaningful, welcoming practices that contribute to a sense of belonging?
Does it support workforce pathways into paid creative work?
Are strong quantitative and qualitative measures in place for the project from start to finish?

If you have questions about what this strategy means for the proposal you are considering, we are here to help at [email protected].

Getting Started

New and returning applicants should complete a letter of inquiry first before contacting staff or completing a grant application. Visit the “Grants Process & How to Apply” section of our Grants page for more information.

Meet The Heinz Endowments Arts & Culture Team

Jasmin DeForrest Managing Director
Connect with Jasmin: | LinkedIn

Mac Howison Senior Program Officer
Connect with Mac: | LinkedIn

Cindi Stueber Program Assistant
Connect with Cindi:

Justin Maxson Chief Program Officer

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you mean by the “arts and culture ecosystem”?

My organization has received funding in the past. Will this new strategy affect our funding?

Will this strategy prioritize small, medium or large arts organizations?

I'm an artist. Can I apply for a grant?

I have a question that isn't answered here. Who can I contact?

In The News

We Can Be features Kelly Strayhorn Theater

Listen to the We Can Be podcast episode with Kelly Strayhorn Theater Co-Executive Directors Melanie Paglia and Joseph Hall. They share with Endowments President and podcast host Chris DeCardy why culture is the soul of community and the importance of inclusivity being more than just what's on stage.

Listen to We Can Be

The Heinz Endowments joins Our Region's Business

How can the arts help shape the future of our region? Our Region's Business with Bill Flanagan welcomed President Chris DeCardy and Managing Director of Arts & Culture Jasmin DeForrest to discuss the work of the Endowments, including our foundation's updated Arts & Culture strategy and vision for supporing a thriving, creative southwestern Pennsylvania.

Watch the TV segment

Detroit leaders tour Pittsburgh as part of learning exchange

From Hazelwood to the Hill District, 30 civic and cultural leaders from Detroit spent three days exploring what's possible when two post-industrial cities learn from each other.

Find out more about the tour