Andy Warhol Museum Is Creating A ‘Pop District’ In The Artist’s Home City

In a recent announcement, the Andy Warhol Museum said it would be launching ‘The Pop District’, a new cultural and economic development project that will transform a six-block section of the museum’s neighborhood on Pittsburgh’s North Shore into a cultural hub for creatives, tapping into public art, digital media production, and live performances.

As Patrick Moore, The Warhol’s director, puts it, the famed, Pittsburgh-born artist has continued to be “emblematic of the American entrepreneurial spirit,” with his legacy inspiring the plan for the project, which is expected to boost the local creative economy by presenting young people with new opportunities and experiences.

In addition, Dr Steven Knapp, President of the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburg, which oversees The Warhol, explains that ‘The Pop District’ will serve as an example for how museums around the country can play a large part in their communities by being catalysts for innovation and development. 

The Pop District is slated to cost US$60 million over two phases, which will be rolled out over the course of a decade. Phase One, which is in the works, will focus on securing the funding needed for the initiative and to develop education programs outside of the museum to drive interest in public art, innovative partnerships, and real estate investments. 

Phase Two, which will begin in 2024, will see the creation of a new flagship live performance venue for concerts and performances, as well as events and community rental spaces to encourage interaction among creatives in the region.

The project is said to be the perfect complement to the Cultural District located just across the river; with hopes that it will aid the city in attracting and retaining emerging creative talent, and as Sam Reiman, Director of the Richard King Mellon Foundation, said: “to make sure the next Andy Warhol doesn’t have to leave Pittsburgh to become Andy Warhol.” 

[via Artnet News and The Andy Warhol Museum, images via The Andy Warhol Museum]