In the Rust Belt, Artists Forge New Paths with AI and Community Support

PITTSBURGH—On a crisp January afternoon, Patrick Fisher, the Executive Director of the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, sat down with Desiree Vuocolo, founder of LocalGood.com, to discuss the future of Pittsburgh’s vibrant arts ecosystem. Over the course of their conversation, a vision emerged: one where technology and community work hand-in-hand to create stability for artists navigating the gig economy.

For Fisher, a veteran of the arts world, the challenges facing Pittsburgh’s creatives are both deeply personal and universal. “Artists everywhere have a really difficult time because they often don’t have sustained income streams,” Fisher explained. “It’s feast or famine in the gig economy.”

This reality is compounded by rising living costs and urban redevelopment, which squeeze artists out of the very neighborhoods they help revitalize. “The question we keep coming back to,” Fisher said, “is how do we provide artists with stability in their lives?”

Technology as a Lifeline

Fisher’s answer lies in innovation. This year, the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council is rolling out two groundbreaking tools: an AI concierge and an ecosystem map.

The AI concierge, developed in partnership with local startup Skilluer, is designed to offer artists 24/7 guidance. “You could literally ask it anything you’d ask our staff,” Fisher said. From grant opportunities to networking advice, the concierge is a knowledge hub tailored to the unique needs of artists.

Meanwhile, the ecosystem map, built with Baltimore-based Ecom Map Technologies, will function as a virtual guide to resources. Need a studio? Searching for a grant? Looking for professional development workshops? The map uses AI to compile and filter opportunities, both local and national, in real time.

“These tools aren’t just about providing information,” Fisher emphasized. “They’re about creating pathways for artists to thrive.”

Beyond the Algorithms

For many artists, though, the biggest hurdle is self-promotion. Social media’s shifting algorithms and the increasing demand for digital visibility can feel insurmountable. “Just because you’re technically skilled as an artist doesn’t mean you’re a great businessperson,” Fisher noted.

He pointed to practical resources like workshops offered by Bridgeway Capital and local business consultants. But he also highlighted the importance of relationship-building. “It’s not about having 50,000 followers,” he said. “It’s about having 1,000 true fans.”

Fisher encourages artists to think strategically, leveraging bartering and partnerships to amplify their reach. He recounted stories of photographers trading headshots for marketing assistance and visual artists collaborating with graphic designers.

“It’s about seeing your value and being willing to engage with others,” he said. “Nobody succeeds alone.”

Community Connection

The council’s Creative Hive events are another pillar of its strategy, fostering collaboration across disciplines. “Our ecosystem can be very siloed,” Fisher admitted. “Creative Hive is about eroding those barriers and building relationships.”

These events bring together painters, dancers, writers, and administrators, creating fertile ground for unexpected partnerships. “When our sector has a relationship with itself, everyone benefits,” he said.

Hope on the Horizon

Vuocolo, whose LocalGood platform helps artists market their work, echoed Fisher’s belief in the power of connection. “How do we help each other and the community as a whole?” she asked.

Fisher offered one final piece of advice: “Artists need to think of themselves as brands. Creating the work is only part of it. You have to build desire around what you do.”

As the meeting wrapped, Fisher left Vuocolo and her audience with a hopeful message: “We’re here to be a resource. Artists don’t have to navigate this alone.” This sentiment is shared by the LocalGood team and resonates beyond Pittsburgh to all of the artists we support in this community.

For Pittsburgh’s creatives, buoyed by innovation and community support, the future looks a little brighter. Fisher’s email address and the council’s newsletter sign-up, shared with a smile, feel like an open invitation to a better tomorrow.

Contact the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council:
Email: pfisher@pittsburgharts.org
Website: pittsburghartscouncil.org