Harris Theater

Arts Community Cinema in Downtown Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's Harris Theater is one of the most active arts facilities in the region showing art films nearly every day of the year.

Formerly known as the Art Cinema, the Harris Theater represents a milestone in the redevelopment of Liberty Avenue. The Art Cinema was the first moving picture house in Pittsburgh to commercially show art movies until competition from other city theaters led to its conversion to an adult movie house in the 1960s. As part of its mission to transform the Cultural District, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust purchased and restored the facility leading to further conversions of run-down properties along the Liberty Avenue corridor. With a total of 194 seats, including a fully restored balcony, the Harris Theater officially opened to the public for movies and live performances on November 9, 1995. The theater is one of the few that has retained 35mm film projectors that are utilized regularly.

The Harris was named through a gift from the Buhl Foundation after John P. Harris, co-founder of the Nickelodeon—the first theater solely dedicated to the showing of motion pictures—and a Pennsylvania State Senator. The Harris Theater features contemporary, foreign, and classic films.

Frequently Performs With

Venue Facts

Ages
Varies by event
Photos
2 photos
Space
1 Followers
Roles

Past Events

9
Jul 11
The Guatemalan Handshake: 20th Anniversary Screening
Film Screening
Harris Theater
Details
May 16
Maya Deren on 16mm
Film Screening
Harris Theater
Details
Nov 21
Pittsburgh Shorts and Script Competition 2024
Film Screening
Harris Theater
Details
Nov 13
Three Rivers Film Festival 2024
Film Screening
Harris Theater
Details
Oct 5
Negativland Documentary and Live Performance
Concert
Harris Theater
Details
Nov 16
Pittsburgh Shorts and Script Competition 2023
Film Screening
Harris Theater
Details
Nov 18
Pittsburgh Shorts and Script Competition
Film Screening
Harris Theater
Details
Nov 17
Pittsburgh Shorts and Script Competition - Opening Night
Film Screening
Harris Theater
Details
Nov 16
Three Rivers Film Festival - Closing Night - Creepshow
Film Screening
Harris Theater
Details