Revival Through the Arts

As the population continues to drop in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, many in the city are looking to the arts as a way to revive and rebuild the community.

1 minute read

January 6, 2008, 11:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg


"In the last half-century, Pittsburgh has lost over 50 percent of its population. Today, according to a 2007 census report, this city of 312,819 residents is losing residents at a rate second only to New Orleans. While population loss is not unique to Pittsburgh, politicians, city officials and activists remain stumped: How can a city built on a blue-collar foundation adapt to the changing nature of the country?"

"Pittsburgh rose to international prominence in the late 1800s as a center for industrial manufacturing, particularly steel production. Faced with the same economic troubles as other rust-belt cities like Detroit and Cleveland, however, those industries all but disappeared. In the '80s and '90s, Pittsburgh wisely repositioned itself as a hub for medical research, world-class universities, financial services and technology firms. Now, as Pittsburgh transitions from blue-collar city to high-tech medical hub, many people and organizations are turning to arts to inspire change."

Saturday, December 15, 2007 in The Next American City

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