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ARTSQUEST ANNOUNCES 2011 PROGRAMMING AT THE NEWLY NAMED PNC PLAZA AT STEELSTACKS
PNC PLAZA WILL HOST FESTIVALS, FARMERS' MARKET AND ART EVENTS

DATE: January 6, 2011
CONTACT: PNC – Ed Kozmor, 215-585-5437, edward.kozmor@pnc.com
Mark Demko, ArtsQuest, 610-332-1300, ext. 342, or mdemko@artsquest.org

BETHLEHEM, PA—Five new festivals, a farmers' market and an arts and antiques market are all part of the dynamic programming planned for the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks and the SteelStacks arts and cultural campus in Bethlehem. The markets and portions of all of the festivals will take place at the newly named PNC Plaza, which is scheduled to open in May 2011.

Located on First Street and just west of Founders Way, PNC Plaza is a 155,000-square-foot open area that will host a variety of music and art experiences throughout the year. New festivals planned for the plaza in 2011 include a Latin festival June 17-19, RiverJazz Festival June 22-26, SteelJam Festival Sept. 2-5 (jam bands), Blast Furnace Blues Festival Sept. 16-18 and Oktoberfest Sept. 29-Oct. 2 and Oct. 6-9. During the holiday season, PNC Plaza will also be home to the Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem® holiday marketplace and PEEPS® Fest family festival. Dates for Christkindlmarkt 2011 are Nov. 17-20 and 25-27 and Dec. 1-4, 8-11 and 15-18; PEEPS® Fest 2011 dates will be announced later this year.

"Through the support of partners such as PNC Bank, thousands of people from throughout Lehigh Valley and beyond will be able to enjoy dynamic arts and cultural experiences at SteelStacks," said ArtsQuest President Jeff Parks. "PNC Bank was one of the initial partners to support the SteelStacks arts and cultural campus. Their leadership and early funding played an important role in helping to move this project forward in its early stages. In recognition of their long-term commitment and their dedication to SteelStacks and our community, we are pleased to name PNC Plaza in their honor."

In addition to the festivals, PNC Plaza will also be home to the SteelStacks Farmers Market, which will showcase farm-fresh produce, meats, cheeses and other locally produced foods and products. The market, which will debut May 10, will be open Tuesdays, 3-7 p.m., through Nov. 8.

On the weekends, antique collectors and art aficionados will be able to visit PNC Plaza to shop at the SteelStacks Arts & Antiques Market, which will feature fine art, antiques, vintage clothing, artist demonstrations, art auctions and more. The Arts & Antiques Market will be open Saturdays and Sundays May 14-Aug. 28. Hours will be noon-8 p.m. Saturdays and noon-6 p.m. Sundays.

"PNC has been helping to build strong communities and create financial opportunities for individuals, families and businesses in the Lehigh Valley and throughout our footprint for many years," said Peter J. Danchak, regional president, PNC Bank, Northeast PA. "We also firmly believe in forming successful partnerships and making strategic investments with first-class, community-based organizations such as ArtsQuest, who make a tremendous impact on the lives of the residents in, and visitors to, downtown Bethlehem. We are pleased to partner with ArtsQuest and appreciate the recognition through the naming of PNC Plaza at SteelStacks."

BUILDING A BRIGHTER FUTURE

Through PNC's commitment to the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, south Bethlehem and the greater Lehigh Valley will benefit from a variety of cultural and educational programs and events presented on Bethlehem's South Side. In 2011, programs funded in part by PNC include the Latin Festival at SteelStacks; InVision Photography Festival at the Banana Factory Nov. 4-6; and the opening celebration at SteelStacks April 30-May 1. Several existing educational programs including ArtsQuest's B-Smart after-school enrichment program for Bethlehem Area School District middle school students, the Holy Infancy art education program at the Banana Factory, the BananaWORKS summer employment and public art program for disadvantage teens, and ArtsQuest's scholarship program at the Banana Factory, are also being supported by PNC, providing hundreds of area young people with enhanced educational experiences and invaluable job and life skills.

"PNC recognizes the importance of early education as well as the investment in arts programs and the valuable return they can both deliver," Danchak added. "These programs, particularly those for preschoolers whose families wouldn't be able to afford the arts, will help close the gap between children who are prepared to enter school and those who are not."

ABOUT PNC

PNC Bank, N.A., is a division of the PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (www.pnc.com), one of the nation's largest diversified financial services organizations providing retail and business banking; residential mortgage banking; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management; asset management and global fund services.

ABOUT ARTSQUEST

ArtsQuest™ is a Bethlehem, PA-based nonprofit dedicated to presenting music, arts, cultural experiences and educational and outreach programs that aid in economic development, urban revitalization and community enrichment. Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest®, and the Banana Factory® cultural arts and education center, ArtsQuest's programming currently reaches more than 1.3 million people annually.

ArtsQuest is furthering its mission of celebrating arts and culture through the development of the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks™. The 65,000-square-foot building, set to open in May 2011, will feature live music, independent and scientific films, new festivals and community celebrations year-round, reaching an additional 750,000 people each year.

For more information on ArtsQuest, visit www.artsquest.org or call 610-332-1300.