Safety & Security
Pittsburgh’s Cultural District is one of the safest neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, a city among the safest metropolitan areas in our nation. The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust takes your safety very seriously. We have implemented additional measures and upgraded older security systems to help in our health efforts. All we do is to assure your comfort, protection, and safety in our venues, galleries, facilities, and event spaces. The most critical issue to the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is always the safety of our stakeholders; guests, staff, volunteers, and artists. Our policies are meant to preserve that commitment to security.
These security practices are in effect at the following theaters:
- August Wilson African American Cultural Center
- Benedum Center for the Performing Arts
- Byham Theater
- Greer Cabaret Theater
- O'Reilly Theater
And visual arts galleries:
- SPACE
- Wood Street Galleries
- 707 Gallery
- 820 Liberty
- 937 Gallery
Prohibited Items Policy
To ensure the highest level of safety and security, all guests attending events at Pittsburgh Cultural Trust venues are subject to a courteous screening and adherence to our bag policy. Guests who refuse may be denied entry. By attending an event, guests consent to such inspections and policies and waive any and all related claims against the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. Any items that personnel deems dangerous or inappropriate may be confiscated and/or presented to law enforcement. No prohibited items will be accepted at the door for safekeeping.
The following is a list of outside items prohibited inside of venues owned and/or operated by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust:
- Weapons of any kind or facsimiles of weapons, including firearms, pellet guns, stun guns, martial arts weapons, pepper spray, pocket/utility knives or cutting instruments
- Illegal drugs or substances
- Flammable liquids
- Fireworks, pyrotechnics, flares or incendiary devices
- Glass, metal, or plastic containers of any kind including cans, bottles and flasks
- Outside food or beverages including alcohol
- Oversized bags that exceed 16” x 16” x 8”
- Interchangeable/detachable camera lens (No professional photography-unless authorized)
- Audio/visual recording devices
- 2 way radios
- Laser pointers
- Laptops (tablets are permitted)
- Beach balls, projectiles, balloons, permanent markers, spray paint
- Drones
- Flashlights
- Signs, flags, banners
- Selfie sticks
- Guests without shoes or shirts
- Masks which cover the full face
- Face paints
- Optical illusions
- Jewelry that could be used as a weapon including chains and studded bracelets
- Pets, other than service animals
- Segways, skateboards, rollerblades, hoverboards, bicycles, helmets, any type of portable seat, other than those approved and required for accessibility
- Noisemakers, bullhorns, or air horns
- Unapproved pamphlets, handouts, advertisements
* This list is not all-inclusive and may change or be updated at any time without notice. Additional restrictions may apply.
Guest Code of Conduct
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is committed to providing you a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable entertainment experience. Guests have a right to expect an environment where:
- Guests will be treated in a consistent, professional and courteous manner by all theater personnel.
- Guests can feel comfortable reporting inappropriate behavior to an usher, house manager, or security officer.
- Guests will comply with requests from venue staff and security regarding facility operations and emergency response procedures.
- Guests will sit only in their ticketed seats and show their tickets when requested.
- Guests will consume alcoholic beverages in a responsible manner and in compliance with law.
- Guests who engage in fighting, throwing objects, using foul/abusive language or gestures, attempting to enter restricted areas or engaging in other behavior detrimental to the experience of other guests will be immediately ejected from the venue and may be subject to police action for these violations.
- Guests will not interfere with the event or performers in any way.
- Guests will not smoke or use tobacco-related products anywhere inside the theater at any time.
- Guests will not attempt to re-enter the venue without a ticket or appropriate credential.
- Guests will wear a shirt, shoes and lower garments at all times.
Your ticket is a revocable license exclusively valid for the event listed on the ticket and is subject to the full terms and conditions found here and terms located on ticket backs. Theater management reserves the right to revoke this license without refund for non-compliance with any Pittsburgh Cultural Trust terms and policies. Theater staff may intervene where necessary to ensure that the above expectations are met, and guests are encouraged to report any inappropriate behavior to the nearest usher, security guard, or staff member. Guests who choose not to adhere to these provisions may be subject to ejection without refund and, to the extent their conduct constitutes a violation of law, may be subject to arrest and prosecution.
Bag Policy
A guest to a Pittsburgh Cultural Trust venue or event may enter with one bag that is no larger than 16” x 16” x 8”. The definition of a bag includes, but is not limited to, purses, tote bags, duffel bags, suitcases, knapsacks, backpacks, packages, cartons, paper sacks, briefcases, portfolio cases, binocular cases, camera equipment cases, and any other type of device or vessel used for carrying or concealing items. Bags are subject to search and theatergoers may be requested to open their jackets prior to entering. Guests with prohibited items may return them to their vehicles. Unattended items left outside the facility doors will be discarded to ensure patron safety.
Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Cultural District Substation
600 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
The former Lantern Building, owned by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, was recently transformed into the new Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Cultural District Substation, with additional partnership support provided by the City of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership. The new Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Cultural District Substation will strive to create a community that is safe and welcoming for all residents and guests, and the use of this space for a police substation remains a reflection of the city’s values. Quality of life, security and stability are essential components of community, and the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust continues to invest in and instill these values in Downtown Pittsburgh; both through safety programs such as the “If You See Something, Say Something” Campaign, as well as through free and family-friendly programming that encourages arts accessibility for all ages and audiences.