2026 Artist-in-Residence Series
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh seeks 5 Pittsburgh-based artists for a 5-month residency exploring library collections and engaging community.
The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's 2026 Artist-in-Residence (AIR) Series is accepting applications from creatives in visual, written, spoken word, and musical arts. Five Pittsburgh-based artists will be selected for residencies at five different CLP branch locations: Hazelwood, Knoxville, South Side, West End, and Woods Run.
This residency program invites artists to explore CLP's rich book collections and archives while sharing their creative work with patrons and the Pittsburgh community. Each artist will be assigned a host branch where they will conduct programming and create artwork from February through June 2026.
Residents are expected to lead at least two art workshops per month at their host branch and prepare a culminating showcase celebrating their workshops and creative process. While private studio space is not provided, artists receive a $4,000 stipend and $500 supplies budget.
CLP's collections include over 30,000 unique items in archives and special collections, featuring books, maps, vinyl records, rare books, music collections, and extensive local history resources. Staff and archivists are available to assist residents in accessing relevant materials for their practice.
The residency timeline runs February through June, with orientation in February, art creation and workshops from March through May, and culminating exhibition/performance in June.
Applications must be submitted as a single PDF including: artist statement (500 words max), biography (250 words max), CV, artwork samples (format varies by discipline), and a 1,000-word essay addressing the three prompts about envisioned projects, branch preferences, collections to use, and proposed programming.