Annual Pitt Arts Fair puts cultural choices at student fingertips

Common items typically given away in raffle contests include food, gift certificates and maybe… Common items typically given away in raffle contests include food, gift certificates and maybe even cold cash. But what about a pair of ballet slippers? Not so typical.

You might be the lucky winner of a pair at tomorrow’s Pitt Arts’ 11th Annual Arts Fair in the Union Ballroom from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Despite Pittsburgh’s industry-focused heritage — we aren’t known as the Steel City for nothing — the city’s cultural scene is thriving with music, theater, dance, art exhibitions and more. Representatives from more than 30 arts and cultural organizations will have booths at the Arts Fair, including the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, The Pittsburgh Opera, the Carnegie museums and the Andy Warhol Museum. The University’s dance and music departments will also be represented.

Students can stop by the booths of any of the organizations in attendance to pick up information, buy tickets, sign up for hands-on workshops and get on their mailing lists to find out more throughout the year.

Annabelle Clippinger, the director of the Pitt Arts Program, said there is an abundance of pamphlets and information for students to pick up.

“Every year I always think, ‘Oh my goodness, people really need bags to carry all the literature they pick up!’” Clippinger said.

Clippinger said that this year, the University Book Center has agreed to donate bags so students won’t need to bring their own. The Book Center will also have a table at the fair promoting its art books.

Several organizations will have giveaways, like free T-shirts or raffles for free tickets or souvenirs — the Pittsburgh Ballet has been known to raffle off pointe shoes in the past. This year, for the first time, the Arts Fair will feature live musical performances.

“We have a guitarist coming, and I think two violinists. They won’t perform sets but just intermittently — it should be very fun,” she said.

Students can also sign up for the Pitt Arts mailing list, which will let them know about upcoming Arts Encounters, Pitt nights and Artful Wednesdays.

Arts Encounters are special programs for undergraduate students including free transportation, free dinner or dessert and free tickets to performances and cultural events — note the repetition of the word “free” — as well as opportunities to meet the artists or other individuals involved in the productions.

Pitt nights are like Arts Encounters but are made available to the entire Pitt community. Can’t get away from campus for the evening? Cultural events will come to you on Artful Wednesdays, when various artists perform in the student union.

The Attack of the Cheap Seats program, which allows students to purchase discounted tickets from several arts organizations with a single form, is ongoing, as well. Forms will be available at the Arts Fair for students interested in buying tickets.

Pitt student Christy Savage, class of 2012, attended the fair last year and will make a return trip tomorrow.

“I love that I can learn about everything that’s going on this year at once. It helps me plan out what I want to do. And free food is always a plus,” she said.

Pitt Arts runs several programs helping students connect with the arts in two of the ways college students are most fond of: easily and cheaply. You can check out the Pitt Arts website or visit the Pitt Arts office, located at 929 in the William Pitt Union, but for a firsthand explanation, Pitt Arts staff will be available at the Arts Fair to talk about the dozens of upcoming programs and events and ways undergraduates can take advantage of them.