Envisioning a Just Pittsburgh Call for Art
Regional art competition awarding $10,000+ in prizes across multiple categories for artists addressing social equity and justice themes.
Envisioning a Just Pittsburgh is a regional Call for Art now in its third year, inviting artists from across the Pittsburgh region to respond to the question: 'What if our beloved region worked for everyone?' This year's call centered on storytelling—examining whose stories are preserved, shared and elevated—and explored the power of libraries, archives and personal collections as tools for activism, education and social change.
The initiative is a collaboration between Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP), August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC), Carnegie Museums, University of Pittsburgh, and 1Hood Media. The competition awards more than $10,000 in prizes across five categories: Writing for the Page, Visual Art, Performance, Video & Interdisciplinary, and Youth Arts. Both adult and youth categories are available.
The 2026 competition has already announced its winners, with first and second place awards in each category. First place winners in adult categories include Donovan Harrell (Writing), Alena Dergacheva (Visual Art), Blaire Crumbley (Performance), and Nami Bey (Video & Interdisciplinary). Youth winners include Tatum Adams (Writing), Aliyah Terry (Visual Art), and Olive Cramer (Video & Interdisciplinary).
Selected artwork will be displayed at AWAACC in Downtown Pittsburgh from February 19 through March 29, 2026. Writing submissions will also be exhibited at the Gallery @ Main at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Main in Oakland from mid-February through the end of March. An Artist Showcase will be held during AWAACC's Intermission on February 19 from 6–10 pm, providing networking and celebration opportunities.
This opportunity supports artists whose work challenges audiences to imagine and work toward a more equitable future, with a focus on themes of social justice, equity, and community transformation.