From its roots in a historic brewery to its growth as an artists’ collective, and now arts center, Brew House Arts (BHA) prioritizes the needs of artists. Their Distillery studio artist residencies and Prospectus curatorial residencies create opportunities for emerging and underrepresented artists with every resource at hand, including space and relationships. In 2014, BHA partnered with TREK Development to rehab the historic Duquesne Brew House building into a mixed-use facility that includes a gallery, artist studios, and artist-preference housing. Today, BHA continues to manage studio space, gallery space, and intentional communication in a way that nourishes creatives, curators, and audiences. We spoke with Natalie Sweet about her path to Executive Director at BHA and the ways that personal reflection and uncommon opportunities enrich the arts within the greater Pittsburgh region.

When did you first get involved with Brew House Arts?

I graduated from Pitt and started working at Contemporary Craft. I worked there for about five years, starting off initially as a Curatorial Fellow and then moved into being an Exhibitions Coordinator. While I was working at Contemporary Craft, I joined the board at Brew House. That was around 2014 or so. While serving on the board, I managed the eighth cohort of Distillery for the first year that it ran following the renovation.

It was a really interesting time to get involved with the organization because it was at this point that Brew House Arts had decided to make this huge pivot to close its doors and make big changes with TREK Development. It was exciting to come in and be part of this team that was reimagining what the future of the organization would look like – including changes to how the building and the rental structure would develop at that time.

I don't know that I ever really turn off my Executive Director brain! But I’m so glad that I got the chance to curate that show, because I am so often more involved in mentorship, and helping other people push their own ideas forward - and I really like being in that role. I find helping comes a little easier than trusting myself and my own vision when I’m doing the curating.

Prospectus was definitely built and informed by my personal experience having a chance to have a fellowship coming out of undergrad. That was my path and I was seeking out those kinds of opportunities. Opportunities can be very few and far between for people who want to participate in the arts, but not as an artist. I formed that program based on something I would have been looking for at the time.

Historically, curating has been something where you have to work within a museum, you have to get an assistant position, you have to go to grad school if you want to be a museum curator. Because my personal track was not that, I have a different perspective.

I've been supported by some small institutions in a very DIY or small team way, and we can bring a vision to life and bring other people in by giving them the tools to realize: “Oh - I can do this without all of the resources of a giant institution behind me too! …And what does that look like?”

Arts, Equity, & Education Fund™ is proud to support Distillery and Prospectus with a multi-year grant. Please visit the On the Edge of… a group exhibition of BHA Artists-in-Residence Alli Lemon, Karen Lue, Shyann Maragh, Mathias Rushin, Lisa Toboz, Ajunie Virk, and London Williams. On view through June 7th.

We are delighted to renew and begin new partnerships with our Spring 2025 grantees. During these challenging times, your applications demonstrated an unwavering commitment to innovation and creativity. We are thankful for your dedication and the work you do to amplify underrepresented voices in arts and education.

Partner Events

Owning Our Future: A Symposium on BIPOC Institutional Ownership

Thriving Where We Live

Whether you’re an arts administrator, artist, arts lover, or simply passionate about the power of the arts, join Kelly Strayhorn Theater for an inspiring national symposium in Pittsburgh, PA that reimagines the future of cultural spaces—accessible, equitable, and rooted in the strength of BIPOC communities.

Thursday – Sunday, May 15 – 18

Grand Opening Event

Enter a world of pure imagination, as Contemporary Craft celebrates the grand opening of the new Timmons Studios! Across both buildings of the campus, you'll take a creative journey featuring hands-on activities, artist demos, and a final look at Keiko Fukazawa Retrospective: The Space in Between. And of course, the evening wouldn't be complete without a silent auction, food, drinks, and music curated by Kinselland Radio.

Saturday, May 17, 6:30 - 10:30 PM

Alumni Theater Company is teaming up with the visionary PearlArts Movement + Sound to bring you an unforgettable dance experience: The Rose That Grew From Concrete! This powerful new dance production is the result of an inspiring collaboration between ATC’s Young Artist and Teen Ensembles and the groundbreaking dancer of PearlArts Movement + Sound—led by ATC’s founding choreographer, Staycee Pearl, herself. Together, they transform Tupac Shakur’s iconic poetry into a thrilling fusion of movement, music, and emotion.

Friday - Sunday, May 16 - 18

Sobia Ahmad As One They Quake II (detail) 2024
Photo Courtesy of the Artist

Fellowship 25

For twenty-five years, Silver Eye Center for Photography has supported emerging voices in contemporary photography through Fellowship, their annual international juried photography competition. This year’s exhibition explores diverse themes including the bonds of family and home, cycles of loss and renewal, and the transformative power of collaboration.

May 8–Aug 2, 2025

Arts, Equity, & Education Fund™ strives for a better reflection of the real world in arts and education.