ArtsQuest has launched at-home programming to keep audiences connected through the arts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Livestreaming concerts, movie talks with the staff of the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas, Toddler Storytimes and ‘Improvised Standup’ comedy programming are just a few of the art and music-related programs the nonprofit organization has begun sharing digitally as it looks to use the power of the arts to keep people connected to their communities.

SteelStacks Lunch Break

In addition to ArtsQuest@Home, the organization has launched “SteelStacks Lunch Break” a mini-concert series livestreamed at noon on the SteelStacks Facebook page.

The concerts feature local and regional artists who perform at SteelStacks and Musikfest.

Upcoming concerts include:

• April 13: Jon Braun of Start Making Sense

• April 14: Stefanie Johnson

• April 15: Jon Worthy

• April 16: Sean Dunleavy of Swamp Guard

• April 17: Jenny Founds

• April 20: Lori Roberts

• April 21: Andrew Leahey

• April 22: John Frinzi

The collection of curated and original content is available at the new ArtsQuest@Home webpage, www.artsquest.org/athome, as well as shared out via ArtsQuest’s social media.

“Over the past week, our staff has been busy working on ways that we can continue to bring the arts and live programming into everyone’s homes,” says ArtsQuest Chief Programming Officer Patrick Brogan. “Our goal with ArtsQuest@Home is to help keep people tied to their communities. Music and art have the amazing ability to elevate the spirit and bring people together, and that’s something that’s really important right now, even if we can’t all be in the same place at the same time.”

ArtsQuest will regularly provide links to livestreaming concerts of artists who have performed at Musikfest and/or SteelStacks over the years.

In addition, the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas will offer Live Movie Talks on topics ranging from the best shows to catch right now on streaming platforms, to critiques of new movie releases from the past few weeks.

Comedy fans can also check out ArtsQuest’s Improvised Standup program hosted by Addyson Teal. Each episode will feature local and regional comedians as guests, with the audience invited to offer suggestions on topics for jokes that comedians will then have to make up on the spot.

ArtsQuest Senior Director of Visual Arts and Education Lisa Harms will also offer Facebook Live presentations of Toddler Storytime, ArtsQuest’s popular education program designed to promote visual literacy and early childhood learning.

During the sessions, Harms will read popular children’s and family books in a way that’s fun and engaging for families, especially those with children ages 2-5.

Other highlights of ArtsQuest@Home include Spotify playlists of Musikfest and other artists created by ArtsQuest staff, digital exhibitions of ArtsQuest exhibits and a collection of at-home programming resources being offered by other arts and cultural organizations around the nation.

The visual arts staff of ArtsQuest will also be promoting the hashtag #BFQuarantineArtClub on Instagram (@bananafactory_pa) as part of a larger #QuarantineArtClub initiative to share art created by our community.

The ArtsQuest@Home page will be updated daily, so ArtsQuest patrons and arts enthusiasts should check back regularly for the latest additions.

While programming content is free, some programs, such as the Improvised Standup, may require advance registration.

Please visit www.artsquest.org/athome for dates, times and sign-ups.