Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Receives $1 Million Grant
The funds will allow the organization to implement its creative director’s artistic vision, PBT says.
PHOTO BY AVERY JERINA
It has been a big year for Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.
In May, officials announced they were working on revamping the beloved Nutcracker production with a debut set for December 2027; this week, the company revealed it has received $1 million in grant funding from the Mellon Foundation — some of which will support the reimagined Nutcracker and other “innovative programing.”
“We are extremely grateful for the support of the Mellon Foundation,” Adam W. McKinney, PBT’s artistic director, says in a statement. “The funding has enabled PBT to invest deeply in new artistic development, expand the scope of our programming and create spaces for exploration and collaboration that would not otherwise have been feasible. I am deeply thankful to them for believing in PBT and the arts in Pittsburgh.”
The Mellon Foundation provided the arts funding grant in two parts: $500,000 in 2024 and the same amount this summer. The grants support the implementation of McKinney’s artistic vision, and each covers two years of programming.
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre began its 2026-27 “Season of Wonder” on July 27, and its 30 company artists have returned to the studio after a summer break to begin rehearsals for the free Ballet Under the Stars performance at Hartwood Acres on Aug. 23. The entire season includes:
- Giselle with the PBT Orchestra, Oct. 23-25, 2026
- The Nutcracker, Dec. 4-27, 2026
- Alice in Wonderland, Feb. 12-21, 2027
- Spring Mix: World Premieres, April 9-11, 2027
- The Sleeping Beauty with the PBT Orchestra, May 7-9, 2027
Season subscriptions are now available. For more information, visit the organization’s website or call 412-454-9107. Single tickets for the 2026-27 season will be available starting Aug. 10.
