Pittsburgh Current

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The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announced Tuesday afternoon that they are canceling the annual Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival scheduled for June 5-14, 2020 due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak.

In a email that went out to artist market participants obtained by the Pittsburgh Current, TRAF representatives said, “it is with a heavy heart that we have come to the extremely difficult decision to suspend additional events in the Cultural District extending through June 14, including the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival.”

The Trust plans to produce a digital space to showcase the art and music that would’ve been highlighted during the 61st anniversary of the Festival. A statement to the artist market participants read, “We are also working to develop meaningful virtual opportunities for you to connect with Pittsburgh customers and the local market to promote your work and you as an artist.” There is no word on when this digital showcase will take place.

It was also announced that all artists who received an invitation to the 2020 Festival will automatically have the opportunity to participate in the 2021 event.

UPDATE: 2:55 p.m.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust released a statement to its patrons and press regarding the 2020 Three Rivers Arts Festival.

We are working diligently to bring good news about what is to come when we can all gather again and to reschedule as many of our affected events as possible, but in the current pandemic we must first protect the health and safety of our guests, staff, volunteers, and artists. As we continue to follow the leadership of Governor Wolf and our public health officials, it is with a heavy heart that we have come to the extremely difficult decision to suspend additional Pittsburgh Cultural Trust events, extending through June 14.

This extension affects two of our signature Festivals – the EQT Children’s Theater Festival and the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival. While we will not host the physical, in-person Festivals this year, we are working diligently to navigate the unprecedented circumstances and scarcer resources to produce digital spaces where we can gather to celebrate these iconic Festivals.

Please know that the Cultural Trust does not take a single cancellation, postponement, or closure lightly, as we recognize the effect that each and every event has on our region, our artists, and you, our supporters and fellow arts lovers. Our website will have the most updated information on events affected by COVID-19. We will be in touch soon with those who have purchased tickets to these events.