Ryan Arts Fall Classes

Classes begin Sept 18 and run through Nov 17.

Ryan Arts has its origin in the outcome of the 1994 Sanders Consent Decree, which sought to address de facto discrimination in public housing throughout Allegheny County.  McKees Rocks was one of seven communities cited in a housing discrimination lawsuit and received $800,000 of the settlement.  Following a vibrant community process, the McKees Rocks Sanders Task Force asked Focus on Renewal to develop a community cultural arts center.  Focus on Renewal purchased and renovated the 26,000 square-foot former furniture store at 420 Chartiers Avenue, now the home of the Father Ryan Arts Center. In the 2017-2018 fiscal year we are committed to include more literary arts programming, engaging the community in collaborative actions, employing a co-powering approach by engaging community members in decision making vehicles, and lastly, creating a regular regional venue for “community conversations” that revolve around arts and culture.