A Legacy of Arts and Culture in Westmoreland County

Westmoreland Cultural Trust (WCT) has been a pillar of arts and culture in the Westmoreland County region for decades. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, WCT is dedicated to stimulating cultural and economic development through performing arts, historic preservation, and community engagement. The Trust manages several key venues, including The Palace Theatre and the Greensburg Garden & Civic Center, and hosts a variety of cultural programs such as the Greensburg Music Fest, Rhythms of Summer, and ArtsWalk. Through these initiatives, WCT fosters a vibrant arts scene that generates over $10 million in economic impact annually.

To gain insight into their digital engagement strategy, we spoke with Daniel Stainer, Director of Marketing & Patron Experience, Abby Sistek, Digital Marketing Specialist and Beck Scassellati

The Challenge: Strengthening Community Connections in a Digital Era

As a leading force in Pittsburgh's arts and entertainment scene, WCT recognized the growing need to deepen audience engagement while streamlining communications. With an increasing number of distractions competing for audience attention, the organization needed a solution that would allow them to reach patrons quickly,, and create a more intuitive, mobile-friendly experience.

The InstantEncore Solution: A Mobile App for Modern Audiences

To address these challenges, WCT turned to InstantEncore for a customized mobile app solution. Through InstantApps, WCT gained a direct and effective way to engage audiences before, during, and after performances for their iconic venue, The Palace Theatre.

“Everything's moving digital these days and also, I think in order to truly answer how the app best serves us and the community, I think you need to really look at how the art landscape has changed. People's attention is more divided than it's ever been. They're being pulled in more directions, whether it's because of streaming or because of social media, but people are spending a lot more time behind their screens. So the app has become a strong and viable part of our marketing channel” - Daniel

How The Palace Theatre Mobile App is Making a Difference

1. Direct & Immediate Audience Engagement

“The app is our fastest mode of communication. We just had to cancel a Led Zeppelin tribute show due to the lead singer’s illness, and the app was the quickest way to notify ticket holders.” – Daniel

Push notifications have become a critical tool for WCT, allowing them to instantly communicate important updates, event reminders, and exclusive offers—cutting through the clutter of email and social media.

2. Seamless Ticketing & User Experience

“People need to have information at their disposal to make informed decisions quickly” – Daniel

The embedding of mobile ticketing links within the app allows audiences to browse events and purchase tickets safely—reducing friction and enhancing the patron experience.

3. Reaching New & Loyal Audiences

“Younger audiences today are very app-centric, and we see our app as a way to create a more streamlined and intuitive experience—one that makes it easier for them to find what they’re looking for, research events by genre, and purchase tickets with minimal steps.” – Daniel

Through InstantEncore’s digital engagement tools, WCT has been able to strategically segment audiences, tailoring experiences to both long-time patrons and new attendees. Social media integrations and audience analytics also help refine marketing strategies to attract a wider demographic.

4. Enhancing the Audience Experience

“We don’t just see ourselves as another concert venue—we see ourselves as a destination. That means providing the right programming and ensuring a smooth, engaging experience before, during, and after each event.” – Daniel

By utilizing InstantEncore’s platform, WCT has created a digital-first approach that strengthens the connection between performances, their audience, and the broader community.

The Results: A More Connected & Engaged Community

WCT’s adoption of InstantApps has empowered them to:

Streamline communications through push notifications
Simplify ticketing with safe links to ticket purchasing
Expand their reach to younger, tech-savvy audiences
Create an intuitive, branded experience for patrons

By leveraging technology to enhance audience interactions, WCT has solidified its role as a cultural leader in the region while ensuring that its mission of arts accessibility continues to thrive.

Looking Ahead: Continued Digital Growth

With plans to further integrate social media engagement, optimize digital advertising efforts, and enhance the app’s usability, WCT remains committed to evolving with its audience’s needs. As arts and culture organizations continue to embrace digital transformation, WCT’s success with InstantEncore serves as a model for how technology can create deeper, lasting connections with audiences.

Learn more about Westmoreland Cultural Trust and its mission here. To explore how InstantEncore can help your arts organization enhance engagement and streamline operations, schedule a demo today.

Westmoreland Cultural Trust: Driving Engagement Through Digital Innovation