In 2020, Duolingo announced that it was committing $150,000 to support local artists and arts organizations by providing funding and resources for public art projects.

The commitment was announced in celebration of Ann Lewis’ To Be Human mural on Duolingo’s East Liberty headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Lewis created the mural in collaboration with students at the nearby Barack Obama Academy of International Studies.

Following To Be Human, grants were awarded to Natiq Jalil and Alison Zapata for the creation of a new mural, and filmmaker Chris Ivey for the creation of a new film series. Jalil and Zapata’s mural debuted in April 2022 on East Liberty Place South, an apartment complex across the street from Duolingo. Ivey’s first film in the series, We Rise Together (2020), tells the story of Ann Lewis’ To Be Human, while his second film The Legacy of Butterflies (2022), tells the story of Jalil and Zapata’s mural and its subject, Cecilia Price-Knight.

Aerial photograph of Duolingo's East Liberty headquarters. The building is covered in a mural of warm colors with maze-like white writing that reads “We rise” on one side of the building and “together” on the adjoining side.
Ann Lewis, To Be Human (2020), photo credit Renee Rosensteel
Photograph of a light-colored brick building against a cloudy and bright sky. The building features a large mural near the top floors of a Black woman with head held high and eyes looking at the street. All around her face are yellow and blue butterflies. Along the side of the mural is text that reads “I still believe.”
Natiq Jalil and Alison Zapata, The Legacy of Butterflies (2022), photo credit Ray Carrington

The initial commitment also included a sponsorship of Kelly Strayhorn Theater, a neighborhood venue whose programming creates opportunities for local talent, with a “Pay What Moves You” admission policy that ensures performances are accessible for all.

A part of the mission of Duolingo's Community Arts Program is to support organizations who are engaging artists from the region and creating a platform for their work to exist in East Liberty and surrounding neighborhoods.

Since 2002, the Community Arts Program has invited individual artists to apply for up to $5,000 in funding to support programming in or near East Liberty. Through this initiative, we support dozens of artists across various disciplines and projects, including exhibitions, performing arts, workshops, and the production of work in various mediums.

To apply for funding as an artist, please complete this form.

If you have any questions or would like to stay updated, please email communityart@duolingo.com.

For sponsorship requests please complete this form.