About the Cultural District

A visit to Pittsburgh would not be complete without a trip to its historic Cultural District, created by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. Located in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh, the Cultural District is within walking distance from the city's best hotels, restaurants, shops, and public parks and David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Among the options of art and live entertainment - classical and contemporary music, ballet, modern dance, visual art, opera, musical theater, and drama - you are sure to find something new and exciting to do year round in the Cultural District under the auspices of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. As a 14-square block area between the newly designed David Lawrence Convention Center and Stanwix Street, the Cultural District encompasses 88 retail shops, 47 dining establishments, eight public parks and art installations, and five world-class theaters in which 1,400 performances are held each year. Drawing millions of patrons to the Cultural District, its resident artist groups offer a cultural variety unmatched by many cities.

One of the oldest performing companies in the Cultural District, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra has entertained audiences from around the world for over a century. Music lovers should not miss an evening at the splendid Pittsburgh Symphony Heinz Hall listening to the world's most beloved symphonies, popular music, and more.

As the country's eighth oldest opera company, Pittsburgh Opera draws on an important legacy of music making. Performances by such illustrious singers as Birgit Nilsson, Beverly Sills, and Luciano Pavarotti are just part of the rich history of the present-day company, elevating Pittsburgh Opera into the ranks of America's top opera companies.

Pittsburgh Opera - along with Pittsburgh CLO, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and Pittsburgh Dance Council - perform at The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's Benedum Center for the Performing Arts. A movie palace during the early twentieth century, the Benedum is now faithfully restored to its original opulence, the Benedum Center boasts an excellent array of the arts: from ballets and operas to everyone's favorite Broadway shows.

Pittsburgh CLO celebrates the magic of live musical theater throughout the year with its critically acclaimed summer season at the Benedum Center and A Musical Christmas Carol at the Byham Theater each December. Since 1946, the CLO has enjoyed an exceptional reputation for producing fresh new productions of Broadway classics along with dynamic new works, becoming one of the largest and most established regional musical theater organizations in the country.

As the eighth largest ballet company in the United States, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre performs an eclectic repertoire ranging from the great nineteenth century classics to new works by some of the world's most exciting young choreographers. A renowned performing company, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre has earned a reputation for creating innovative and original works that attract new audiences every year.

Since 1975, Pittsburgh Public Theater has drawn diverse audiences with its proud tradition of producing world-class theater. Some of the plays that received their world premieres on the PPT stage have gone on to enrich the American theater. Since 1999, the Pittsburgh Public Theater company has performed at The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's O'Reilly Theater, which incorporates a unique thrust configuration, in which the audience views the performance on three sides, offering an up-close and intimate theater experience.

Adjacent to the O'Reilly is the Cultural Trust's Theater Square, which houses a main box office where you may purchase tickets to any Cultural District performance, as well as find easy and accessible parking.

Even movie enthusiasts will enjoy the delights of the Cultural District - in particular contemporary and foreign films presented by Pittsburgh Filmmakers at the Harris Theater. This early twentieth-century movie house is named in honor of native Pittsburgher John P. Harris, who created the nation's first nickelodeon in downtown Pittsburgh.

The newest addition to the Cultural District community, the architecturally stunning August Wilson Center for African American Culture will house a variety of performing, visual and education programs that celebrate the contributions of African Americans within the region and the impact of cultural expression from Africa to the African Diaspora.

Named after legendary playwright August Wilson, the Center was designed by San Francisco-based African-American architect Allison G. Williams. The Center, which cost approximately $40 million to build, includes galleries, classrooms, a 486-seat theater, a gift shop, a cafe and multipurpose spaces available for rental and use by the community and to be used for visual and performing art and expression.

For visitors who appreciate modern dance, the Pittsburgh Dance Council, a division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, showcases an outstanding season of dance with a host of extraordinary talent and exciting premieres. As the largest presenter of international performances in the city, the Dance Council achieves an unrivaled level and quality of dance - a testament to its history and continued success at attracting the world's finest companies.

Complementing the assortment of performances in the district, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and The Pittsburgh Symphony present the PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh series during the fall and winter months; plus, each presents live music, uproarious comedy, and everything in between all year long.

In addition to the Cultural District's live performances, visitors will also enjoya wide range of visual arts at the Wood Street Galleries, SPACE gallery, 707-709 Penn Galleries, August Wilson Center Gallery, Future Tenant, Shaw Galleries, and many others.

Visitors to Pittsburgh will welcome the multitude of art and entertainment choices available within the Cultural District. A fantastic place to introduce children to the arts, to catch an afternoon matinee, or to spend a romantic evening out on the town, the Cultural District will certainly impress you with its superlative culture, beauty, and charm.