Three Rivers Arts Festival Runs 6/5-14 At Point State Park In Pittsburgh

Summer begins in downtown Pittsburgh with the 50th annual Three Rivers Arts Festival, a celebration of art, music, performance and community. The 2009 Festival runs from June 5-14 at Point State Park, Hertz Gateway Center, and numerous Cultural District locations in downtown Pittsburgh. Most Festival programs are free and open to the public. Three Rivers Arts Festival is a division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

"The work presented at Three Rivers Arts Festival represents both the artistic diversity of the Pittsburgh community and the Festival's historic legacy," said J. Kevin McMahon, president and CEO of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. "In 2009, while Three Rivers Arts Festival celebrates a 50-year history of breaking down traditional barriers to art and culture, we will also be listening to our many audiences about their goals and aspirations for this event as we prepare for 2010 and beyond," McMahon continued.

Three Rivers Arts Festival remains among the longest free arts events of its kind in the United States. "In these economic times, Three Rivers Arts Festival is more important than ever," said Deborah L. Acklin, Three Rivers Arts Festival advisory board chair. "The Festival's new home at The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust allows the Festival to continue presenting a robust schedule of free, high-quality, family-friendly art activities and performances."

As a new division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Three Rivers Arts Festival is a major driver of economic activity in downtown Pittsburgh, further advancing the mission of enhancing the quality of life in the region. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend the Festival's 10 days of performance, visual art and music. Overall, VisitPittsburgh estimates that the Festival generates $23 million for downtown businesses.

The Festival's impact is similarly far-reaching for the arts community. Over the past 50 years, the Festival has presented more than 10,000 artists. The Artists Market generates over $2 million in direct sales annually for participating artists, 40% of whom are from Pennsylvania. More than half of the musical groups presented hail from Pittsburgh. In addition, the 2009 Festival features collaborations with numerous cultural and social service organizations, including the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Filmmakers, Pennsylvania Resources Council, and many others.

Among more than 100 individual events and performances featuring more than 500 artists, highlights of the 2009 Festival include:
10 days and nights of live music featuring more than 50 individual acts. Main stage music in Point State Park is sponsored by Dollar Bank.
An expanded Children's Area featuring performances in the WQED-TV Family Entertainment Tent and hands-on activities.
The traditional Artists Market, where artists gather to sell original art works and handmade fine crafts.
Visual arts exhibitions in numerous Cultural District gallery spaces o The return of the Festival's Zero-Waste Initiative, generously supported by Colcom Foundation.

Complete programming details are available online at artsfestival.net and by calling 412.456.6666.

The Three Rivers Arts Festival depends on support from the community and investment from area businesses. The Festival is thankful for the generous support of Colcom Foundation; the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and Governor Ed Rendell; Dollar Bank; Giant Eagle, Inc.; The Heinz Endowments; Pennsylvania Council on the Arts; and Representative Dan Frankel. Media partners include Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 91.3 WYEP-FM, Pittsburgh City Paper and WQED-TV.

Calendar Listing
50th annual Three Rivers Arts Festival. June 5-14, 2009. Point State Park, Hertz Gateway Center and Cultural District, Downtown Pittsburgh. Hours: Artists Market: 12 - 8pm daily. Performances and food courts: 12 - 9:30pm daily. Children's Area: 12 - 5pm, Saturdays and Sundays. Visual arts exhibitions: 4-8 pm Monday-Friday, 12 - 6pm Saturdays and Sundays. Some visual art exhibitions have extended hours.

About the Three Rivers Arts Festival
A division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, the mission of the Three Rivers Arts Festival is to connect the community to the arts. The 60th annual Three Rivers Arts Festival runs from June 5-14, 2009. For more information, visit artsfestival.net.

About The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit organization whose mission is the cultural and economic development of Pittsburgh's 14-block Cultural District through public and private support. The Trust presents and encourages diverse performing and visual arts programs within the District, and is an impetus for additional development in downtown Pittsburgh.

In addition to the PNC Broadway Across America - Pittsburgh series, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents the Pittsburgh Dance Council, Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents, CD Live, JazzLive, First Night Pittsburgh, Gallery Crawl, Three Rivers Arts Festival, the Pittsburgh International Children's Theater and Children's Festival, among other Cultural District and arts events.

The Trust owns Theater Square and the Cabaret at Theater Square; the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts; Byham, O'Reilly, and Harris Theaters; Wood Street Galleries; SPACE, a visual arts gallery at 812 Liberty Avenue; and 937 Liberty, a multipurpose performance and exhibit space, among other downtown arts facilities.

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