Organizer Information

The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is a hands-on interactive museum and cultural institution that provides creative experiences for children and families. Known for its commitment to "informal learning," the museum fosters an environment where art, play, and research intersect. The museum's creative team supports artists in developing works that inspire joy, curiosity, and kindness, utilizing their unique infrastructure to reach a diverse, high-traffic audience.

Title & Description

Art Intervention Residency- Call for Creatives

This residency focuses on temporary, site-specific artistic additions that interact with and enhance the museum’s existing galleries, architecture, and fixtures. The selected artist is challenged to look at the museum through a lens of "surprise and delight," creating 3-5 interventions that transform the viewer’s perception of everyday museum spaces. These interventions should respond to visitor behaviors and encourage families to engage with the environment in new, humorous, or curious ways.

Category

Site-Specific Installation, Visual Arts, Design, and Immersive Media.

Eligibility

  • Open to artists, creatives, and designers working in all mediums.
  • Applicants should have a strong interest in site-specific work and high-traffic, immersive environments.
  • Artists must be based in (or able to reside in) Pittsburgh for the duration of the program.

Program Benefits & Awards

  • Stipend: $4,000 for the duration of the residency.
  • Materials Budget: $1,500 (managed by the museum; upcycling materials on hand is encouraged).
  • Facilities: Access to the Museum shop for tools and materials.
  • Support: Direct collaboration and feedback from the museum's project manager and creative team.

Application Fee

There is no fee to apply.

Application Requirements

  • Submission of a creative portfolio demonstrating experience with installations or site-specific work.
  • A residency proposal or statement of interest.
  • Ability to work onsite at the Museum at least 16 hours per week.
  • Commitment to spend 4 hours per week "on the floor" to engage in conversation with visitors.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit their materials through the museum's official Online Application Portal.

Key Dates

  • Application Deadline: May 3, 2026.
  • Interviews: Week of May 11, 2026.
  • Notification: May 15, 2026.
  • Residency Timeline: June 1 – August 31, 2026.

Location

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

Additional Details

The goal of these interventions is not necessarily to create a "finished" traditional exhibit, but to add layers of silliness and creativity to the infrastructure. The artist will be expected to attend regular meetings and communicate effectively with the creative team to ensure the interventions complement the museum’s safety and operational standards.

Contact Information