Pennsylvania Rural Arts Alliance (PRAA) was founded in 1988 with a mission to develop and promote the arts throughout rural areas of southwestern Pennsylvania. PRAA has grown to become a central resource where people can learn about the wealth of arts organizations located in the region and the wealth of arts activities that the organizations provide. The region served by PRAA includes Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Centre, Clearfield, Fayette, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland Counties.
A Board of Directors consisting of arts administrators from throughout our service area guides the organization. The office is staffed by a part-time Executive Director and a part-time clerical assistant. The PRAA office is located at 637 Philadelphia Street, Suite 210, in Indiana PA.
PRAA’s member organizations cover a wide spectrum. Some are small organizations with limited paid staff and are chiefly volunteer driven and managed. Others are large organizations with many paid staff members. The projects and programs offered by these arts organizations include a variety of concert series and performances, exhibits, festivals, summer arts programs, and other arts events. Often these events and activities are cultural experiences involving entire communities. Artists who take advantage of PRAA’s services live and work in these rural communities and benefit from the networking and exposure that PRAA can provide.
Core activities of PRAA include managing a grant program in cooperation with the 1889 Foundation providing funds for projects with arts and healing/wellness components, overseeing the Arts Coalition of the Alleghenies, and providing workshops, meetings, conferences, and individual technical assistance.
