Featuring world-class art exhibitions, musical, dance, and theatre performances by national and internationally-recognized artists and more, the August Wilson Cultural Center is a place for the arts, storytelling, learning, and exchange around the African American experience and the rich culture of the African diaspora. Visiting the August Wilson African American Cultural Center in Pittsburgh provides you abundant opportunities for artistic exploration, education, and community connection. Below are 5 reasons to visit the August Wilson Cultural Center.
1. Free World Class Art Exhibitions
At the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, you can experience visual art from all over the world through various artists’ perspectives. Our art galleries are open for free to the public. Visit our current exhibition.
Familiar Boundaries. Infinite Possibilities. – Through March 24, 2019
This groups exhibition features twelve regional, national, and international contemporary artists. This exhibition draws from themes that question society’s obsession with consumption, policing, tradition, and indulgence. The artists who are featured use their art to create spaces that reflect joy, healing, safety and care for both the environment and humanity.
Featured artists include Martha Jackson Jarvis, Tsedaye Makonnen, Peju Alatise, Tajh Rust, Shikeith, Lizania Cruz, Stephen Towns, Kevin Snipes, Vaughn Spann, Njena Surae Jarvis, Tunde Wey, and Nakeya Brown.
2. Music, Dance, and Theatre by National and International Artists
At the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, you can experience exceptional music, dance, and theatre performance by national and international artists. Experience culture and history through the
artistic expression of world-renowned performers. Upcoming performances include:
Wall of Sound: Butcher Brown – March 1 @ 9:00 pm
Butcher Brown is a throwback to the great progressive jazz bands of the 60s and 70s. Their organic coherence emerges from a long collaboration as a group of equals, making them an impressive and rare band that plays for their audience and each other and places them on the verge of an amazing future.
BNY Mellon Presents: Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre + Dance Theatre of Harlem – March 15, 2019, to March 24, 2019
In 2017, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Dance Theatre of Harlem joined forces for a sold-out run that was called “a pas de deux of voluminous proportions” by the Pittsburgh Post Gazette and left the audience wanting an encore. PBT and DTH are reuniting for a mixed repertory production the will feature repertoire signatures from both companies as well as a collaborative staging of Stanton Welch’s expressive Orange, a sweeping contemporary ballet that is set to music by Antonio Vivaldi.
PBT will also perform Rubies, the sharp and sultry second movement of George Balanchine’s Jewels, that is set to Igor Stravinsky’s Capriccio for piano and orchestra.
Jazzmeia Horn – April 19 @ 8:00 pm
Jazzmeia Horn, who is heralded as the future of jazz, was the winner of the 2015 Theolonius Monk International Vocal Jazz Competition. This Grammy Award-nominated vocalist has appeared at prestigious venues such as The Apollo Theater, Minton’s, The Jazz Standard, The Blue Note, and Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola. Jazzmeia will return to Pittsburgh, offering her vocal stylings from her vast repertoire of classics and new original songs.
3. Personal Development through Lectures and Workshops
Keep your mind in top shape with our variety of lectures and workshops. Our events provide you with dialog around race, culture, and identity. These impactful events can provide you with an eye-opening experience and can give you a new perspective on everyday life. Our upcoming lectures and workshops include:
TRUTHSayers: Karamo Brown – March 1 @ 7:00 pm
Karamo Brown, Television Host and Culture Expert on the Emmy-nominated Netflix reboot of Queer Eye, says his key to success is tapping into the many aspects of his identity. Whether as a black man, an openly gay man, a single father, or psychotherapist, Karamo utilizes the strengths of his different identities strategically to achieve success while helping others learn how to do the same.
Karamo’s “Know Thyself: Using Your Uniqueness to Create Success” will be the focus of this event.
TruthSayers: Rob Wilson – April 1 @ 7:00 pm
Rob Wilson is a financial advisor known as “Hip Hop’s Financial Advisor” due to his trusted reputation as an advisor to professional athletes & entertainers. Rob believes that everyone can learn from their success. Wilson, who is originally from Pittsburgh, earned his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and his Master’s in Business Administration from the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University.
He has been featured on FOX 29 in Philadelphia, CNN, KDKA and in various publications including The Pittsburgh Business Times and Black Enterprise.
4. Create Community Connections and Support
From free admission to world-class art exhibitions, school and community connections, and national and internationally renowned artist performances, as well as rental subsidies for emerging arts organizations, AWCC is a place of cultural excellence in the global arts community.
By visiting and donating to the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, you have the opportunity to support future artists and performers. Through this support, you can create valuable community connections and exchange ideas that transform how people think about the world. Make a tax-deductible donation to the August Wilson African American Cultural Center and become our AWAACC Vision Partner to help us in our effort to change the world not only locally, but globally by supporting the Cultural Center that provides people with a place to openly experience, embrace and celebrate the cultural contributions of the African Diaspora.
Learn more about our upcoming Gala “Take Center Stage” where you will have the opportunity to celebrate and support the August Wilson African American Cultural Center.
5. Become Inspired
Visual and Performing arts, music, and conversation can inspire us in many ways. At the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, your experiences can encourage you to invoke change in your community, your daily life or in your overall perspective. You may also be inspired to be more creative, making art or music to tell the story of your own experiences. The impact of AWCC and it’s educational, historical, and artistic significance in Pittsburgh and the greater region carries inspiration that has the potential to spur local and global change.
With so many impactful and unique performances, art exhibitions, and learning opportunities, the August Wilson Cultural Center offers opportunities and events in Pittsburgh where people can find inspiration.