The Pittsburgh Arts Challenge

by Craig Otto

Last week, I was “back home again in Indiana” to visit my dad and go to the Indy 500.

One night the two of us went out to a bistro just around the corner from where he lives. The seating is tight, so I couldn’t help but overhear a conversation at the next table.

What caught my ear, was two couples were talking about a need to brand the arts. Naturally, I couldn’t help but barge in and introduce myself.

It turns out that one of the men I was speaking to is President and CEO of the Indianapolis Art Center. His name is Carter Wolf.

I talked about how Dymun + Company was able to get the Heinz Endowments to fund a Z-Met study on the arts. I also described “The Arts Bring Life to Life” marketing campaign that we created (consisting of two TV spots, Metronome and Singer).

Everyone at the table was aware that Pittsburgh has a vibrant arts community, and expressed some interest in seeing it firsthand. Carter Wolf seemed interested in seeing a link to our work, so I sent it to him this week.

I also offered to help introduce him to our arts community.

He e-mailed me back, thanked me for the link and wrote “I have always had a fondness for the city, but would like to hear more about their arts community.”

Well, I don’t want him to “hear” about it, I want him to experience it.

So, here’s my challenge to you: IN ONE WEEKEND, HOW WOULD YOU INTRODUCE A COMPLETE STRANGER TO THE PITTSBURGH ARTS COMMUNITY?

Thanks for your ideas.