Arts’ Supporters Protest Over Corbett’s Award From Pittsburgh Opera

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A $750-a-plate, black-tie dinner honoring Gov. Tom Corbett and his wife was interrupted by protestors Saturday night. It was a benefit dinner for the Pittsburgh Opera.

Stretch limousines and luxury sedans lined Penn Avenue in the Strip District as opera fans arrived for the black-tie benefit. But they weren’t quite ready for the performance that greeted them outside.

The protestors say the Pittsburgh Opera has no right giving the Corbetts lifetime achievement honors because the governor has been unkind to the arts.

“Last year, he cut $860 million from our public schools,” said one protestor. “The first people to go, all around the state of Pennsylvania were art teachers and music teachers.”