Art by committee is typically a bad idea. Still, there are exceptions, some of them significant enough to shake up the city’s arts scene.
Quantum Theatre — one of Pittsburgh’s more creative performing arts groups — is in the middle of its run of “Idaspe,” a centuries-old opera that united numerous local organizations behind a single purpose. Their aim was not to make a statement about art or politics: It was to create something fresh and unprecedented.
They have succeeded. The Post-Gazette praised this unique, groundbreaking production and “the sheer talent of the individual artists involved.” The city should take note.
“Idaspe” cost roughly $500,000. Quantum raised more than $4 million on an annual budget of about $1 million during the pandemic for special productions like “Idaspe.” It spread that wealth — bolstered by additional foundation and other support — among different Steel City organizations like the musical Chatham Baroque early music players, dancers from Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Attack Theatre, the Hill Dance Academy, and aerialists from Iron City Circus. In addition, Pittsburgh Opera, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Point Park University, and Pillow Project provided in-kind support for the project.
All these organizations have separate missions and priorities. Such a collaborative project underscores the city’s artistic health, as well as the groups’ willingness to take on something new.
It’s an all-too-rare civic and artistic collaboration that, going forward, the city should see more of. The symphony, opera, ballet, and various theatre groups have, individually, considerable merit, but the “Idaspe” project also shows the strength of combining forces.
Pittsburgh is blessed with a wealth of deep-pocketed people and foundations. They are, to some extent, the city’s tastemakers; most arts organizations are funded largely by donations, not ticket sales. Donors and foundations should recognize that innovative projects like “Idaspe” can help continue to put Pittsburgh on the cultural map. Idaspe has received several mentions by national and regional media.
The Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD) already encourages administrative collaborations with its connection grants, which help fund shared positions in finance and leadership among smaller organizations. RAD and others can provide the similar incentives for large-scale partnerships.
Quantum’s leadership in creating more artistic collaborations will enrich the city and bolster its reputation as a national cultural center.
First Published: October 12, 2022, 4:00 a.m.
