Top 3 Big Cities: Top 3 Mid-Size Cities: |
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#3 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
With the celebration of its 250th birthday underway, Pittsburgh rolls in at No. 3 with grand style. Highlights of the yearlong festivities include a very special birthday gift—a $35 million transformation of Point State Park, the city’s signature “entrance”—and the 250 Festival of Lights, when artists will transform downtown buildings into works of art in October and November. “I love Pittsburgh’s funky-friendly vibe,” wrote AmericanStyle reader Bibi Hahn, of Berkeley Springs, W.Va. “Pittsburgh has several neighborhoods reinventing themselves,” added Pittsburgh resident Rob Latta. One organization, the nonprofit Friendship Development Associates (FDA), is behind a major project, the Penn Avenue Arts Initiative (PAAI). In 1998, FDA purchased an initial set of 16 buildings through the PAAI; this year it is developing the f inal two. To date, it has helped 16 artists purchase homes, 43 artists rent space, located six arts organizations (including the Pittsburgh Glass Center) and continues to support the growth of more than 300 artists in the district. Its latest project, the Glass Lofts, will house residences, offices, a restaurant and several artist studios when complete. Art is going to be a major force in Pittsburgh this year. The 55th Carnegie International “Life on Mars” (running May 3-Jan. 11, 2009) opened in the spring for the first time since 1924, and also takes a title for the first time ever. The exhibit posed the question, “Is there life on Mars?” to 40 international artists. Beginning concurrently (and running through Aug. 24), the Pittsburgh Filmmakers and Pittsburgh Center for the Arts present the 2008 Biennial. In addition to showcasing a “continuum of visual arts,” this year’s show will see a new cinema program and art performances. |
