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.
Resident artists are not provided with private studio space but are given a stipend and supplies budget.
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:
- Music Special Collections
- 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.
Application deadline is January 14th, 2026.
Stipend: $4,000.00
Supplies Budget: $500.00
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
To Apply:
Please send materials below in 1 PDF to idea@carnegielibrary.org
- Artist Statement (500 words or less)
- Artist Biography (250 words or less)
- Curriculum Vitae (C.V.)
- Artwork:
- For visual artists only: 5 images of previous artwork
- For writers/poets only: 2 writing samples (no more than 1 page each)
- For oral historians/spoken word only: 2 videos of oral history/spoken word (no more than 5 minutes each)
- Musicians only: 2 musical compositions/performances (no more than 5 minutes each)
- Please write a brief essay: Using the three prompts below, describe what you envision during your residency? (1000 words or less)
- Identify the potential artwork(s)/project(s) and top three branches that you would like to work in: Hazelwood, Knoxville, South Side, Woods Run, or West End
- What collections/books/resources do you plan to use? (ex. Book about fiber to teach fiber art and create a fiber piece for display)
- What programming do you envision for our patrons? (Resident Artists must have creative workshops at the host branch while in residence)
- How does the proposed programming relate/interact with the art project and research/book collection?
Deadline: Application deadline is January 14th, 2026.
For further questions regarding the residency please contact Natalie Brown at brownn@carnegielibrary.org.