We are excited, once more, to call all members of the Pittsburgh community at large to submit creative works of all kinds to help us envision a just Pittsburgh.

Theme

Whose stories get told and why are storytellers/writers, books, histories, and archives paramount to a more just world and a just Pittsburgh? This year’s Envisioning A Just Pittsburgh call is asking for work that responds to the quotes above and grapple with the question of how libraries and archives (community, public or private) can serve as conduits of education, storytelling, artistry, and activism. The definition of archives is a place in which public records or historical materials (such as documents) are preserved. We know that libraries, universities and museums have archives, but so do individual people through family heirlooms, pictures, videos and letters. We encourage the interpretation of archives and libraries to include institutions and personal collections.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, like many cities, struggles with racial and class inequities, environmental (in)justice, and the lack of recognition and importance of historical figures, monuments, and sites that represent minoritized cultures and groups. To correct history we must know history, and to know history we must have documentation in some form: This is where books, archives, and storytelling can play a pivotal role on the road to justice.

We invite community members to submit creative works (categories below) that are prompted by the quote above and/or the question of how libraries and archives can serve as conduits for envisioning and realizing a more equitable and just Pittsburgh. We encourage folks to express themselves boldly and authentically and use their art to encourage, challenge, and educate others.

Awards Categories

• Writing for the Page: Short Story, Poetry, Personal Essay, Flash Fiction
• Visual Art: 2D, 3D, Painting, Photography, Sculpture, Fiber Art, Graphic Design
• Performance: Music, Dance, Slam Poetry, Spoken Word
• Video & Interdisciplinary: Works that cross categories, Mixed Media, Digital Art
• Youth Arts (Grade 6th – 8th and Grade 9th – 12th): All categories including:
  • Writing for the Page
  • Visual Art
  • Performance
  • Video & Interdisciplinary

Juried Art Process

This is a juried art exhibition. Jurors will review the images of submitted work based on the criteria of the call: does the piece respond to the quote and/or how libraries and archives can serve as conduits of artistry and activism?  Inspire and expand the consciousness of what a thriving Pittsburgh regional community would be, is it bold and authentic, does it inspire and challenge others?

Recognition

All works are eligible for award distinctions and awardees will be announced in December 2025. Their creative works may be displayed and performed in person at Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh (CMP), Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP), the University of Pittsburgh, 1Hood Media and the August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC), additionally on web and social media channels. Winners and runner’s up will receive their awards and participate in showcases that will take place throughout February 2026.

Monetary Awards

Check back! Details coming soon!

Artist Criteria

• Artists must be a part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area diaspora: https://pittsburghregion.org/real-estate/ as current residents, attending school in Pittsburgh, or those born and still attached to the city.
• Youth Artists are youth in grades 6th – 8th and 9th – 12th on Oct. 24th, 2025.
• Adult Artists are those who are 18 years old or older on Oct. 24th, 2025.

To respect the spirit of diversity and inclusion, we ask that creators keep overall mindfulness when submitting work, specifically:

• I will embrace the concept of a civil community, which abhors violence, theft, and exploitation of others.
• I will support a culture of diversity by respecting the rights of those who differ from me.
• I will contribute to the development of a caring community where compassion for others and freedom of thought and expression are valued.
• I will honor, challenge, and contribute to the artistic heritage left by those who preceded me and work to leave this a better place for those who follow.

Art Originality

• All work must be original, designed, and created by the applicant(s).
• All work must have a relation to the exhibition theme, “Envisioning a Just Pittsburgh,” described above.
• All work must have been completed within the past two years from the exhibition date of February 2026.
• Video and sound components must be intended for display in a gallery setting.
• Documented performances (such as concerts, recitals, music performances, etc.) are ineligible.
• The video or sound art piece must be the original work of art.
• Artwork and descriptions solely generated by AI will not be considered.

Submission Criteria

• Open to all creative mediums including, but not limited to visual art, music, dance, and writing.
• All works will be submitted virtually initially, with winners and selected works hand deliver for installation and performance.
  • If selected, the piece to be displayed is restricted to the piece that was submitted
  • Artists will have two weeks from time of winner announcement to drop off their works.
• Performative work must not exceed 4 minutes of video. Winners will perform their works live in 2026.
• Physical canvas or fiber art submissions cannot exceed 10 feet wide or taller than 6 feet high.
• Sculptures cannot exceed 15 pounds, 6 feet in height, and 2 by 2 feet in base
• Written works submitted for the page are not to exceed 1000 words.

Participants can submit up to two (2) creative pieces total (*both must be submitted individually and labeled as ENTRY #1-first, last name and ENTRY #2-first, last name). Each piece requires its own submission. Artists may share up to three (3) images of the work including wide-angle and detail shots.

Acceptable submission formats:

• Images (hi-res) = .png and .jpg
• Documents = .doc and .pdf
• Audio = .mp3 and .mp4
• Video = .mpg and .mov

Please submit high quality images or videos/audio of your work as these are the only representation of your piece(s) that will be available for judging (physical work will not be judged).

Exhibition Requirements

All work must be ready to hang, exhibit, or be installed during the scheduled hours of operations as determined by the production team. Installation-based works must be installed by the artist and contractor and should take no longer than an 8-hour workday to install. Work will be displayed as is—framing is at the discretion of the artist.

Artists will receive notification of application status in November 2025. Selected artists must sign and return the institutional agreement by Dec. 4th, 2025.

All accepted artworks must be delivered in person and picked up at the curated assigned site during the schedule outlined in the acceptance letter. Shipments of artwork cannot be received directly by the sites. Arrangements must be made by the artist to deliver the work to the site per the acceptance letter requirements and exhibition agreement.

Works that are selected for exhibition may be offered for sale at the artist’s discretion. The exhibition will be staged at the discretion of Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, the University of Pittsburgh and an independent contractor. Display locations will be determined by project curator.

The Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, and the University of Pittsburgh reserve the right to refuse any work that differs from the concept submitted as well as any inappropriate work or display.

(Based on the number of responses we reserve the right to close this form once we have reached our maximum capacity for submissions)

 

Submit your work

Artists can sign up here for more details about submission criteria, deadlines and awards.