The Pittsburgh Ballet: Maintaining the Mission During Turbulent Times1

The challenges of developing audiences and securing contributed income are unending for not-for-profit arts organizations. Recent events - most notably the recession, the continuing stock market decline and the war on terrorism - have intensified the demands on institutional leaders in the United States. Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (PBT) has battled furiously over the last few years to maintain its core values and continue its artistic growth while simultaneously confronting both national economic realities and regional socio-demographic conditions that impede its growth. This article examines PBT's history as the Pittsburgh region's only company of resident artists creating new work for local audiences and the steps that PBT's leadership is taking to secure its future.