2026 artist-in-residence
The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s (CLP) 2026 Artist-in-Residence (AIR) Series is now accepting applications for creatives in the visual, written, spoken word, and musical arts. For 2026, CLP will choose five Pittsburgh-based creatives for five CLP branch locations:
This AIR Series is for creatives to explore the rich book collections and/or archives of CLP and share their creative ingenuity and research with CLP patrons and the greater Pittsburgh community. Each artist will have a host branch, and will conduct programming and possibly create artwork (depending on AIR project) in a branch for the duration of their residency (at least two art workshops per month in the host branch is expected.) Artists-in-residence will be expected to prepare a culminating showcase in partnership with branch staff that celebrates the artist’s workshops and creative process with community members.
CLP has over 30,000 unique items in our archives and special collections, including books, maps, and vinyl records, among many other formats, which offer creatives the ability to explore world languages, musical histories, libraries’ architectural beginnings, and more. We have vast archives, especially in local history, and encourage creatives to use these collections for their practice. From the inspiring poetry of Joy Harjo to the local history of each branch library, artist-in-residents will be able to dive into CLP archives and collections to further their practice, subjects of interests, and engage the community through their creativity. A list of some of our collections are included here:
Rare Books and Special Collections, including Children’s Historical and Special Collections
Archives at CLP-Main, including CLP Branch Collections
We have staff and archivists that can help the residents find anything they may need for their work.
Timeline:
February – Orientation, introduction to host branch, research and workshop planning
March – Art creation, community dinner, creative workshops
April – Art creation, creative workshops
May – Art creation, creative workshops
June – Art creation, artwork completion, exhibition/performance/closing residency ceremony