Envisioning a Just Pittsburgh Curatorial Fellowship

2026–2027 Envisioning a Just Pittsburgh Curatorial Fellowship

Duration: October 2026 through March 2027

Stipend: $5,000, with an additional $2,000 for supplies

Application Deadline: Submissions must be received by 11:59 PM on August 30, 2026

About

In its fourth year, Envisioning a Just Pittsburgh returns home.

What began as a shared experiment across Carnegie Museums, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, and The University of Pittsburgh now enters a new chapter, with the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh joining as a partner and Carnegie Museums resuming its role as lead partner for this regional Call for Art. Anchored by our community partners, The August Wilson African American Cultural Center and 1Hood Media, this moment invites both reflection and possibility. It asks us to consider not only where we have been, but how we want to be together moving forward.

This year’s theme, Home, invites artists and partners to explore what it means to belong, to feel grounded, and to imagine Pittsburgh as a place where everyone can live and thrive.

Making a home is a collective act.

This Call for Art is grounded in the belief that art is a vital tool for shaping belonging and possibility. Through visual art, writing, performance, and interdisciplinary work, artists help us see what justice looks like when it is lived, felt, and shared. They help us imagine a city that welcomes people from every corner of the world and makes room for many definitions of home.

Together, we ask:
How can Pittsburgh be a just and equitable home for all? 

To see the complete Call for Art, please click here. 

Fellowship Overview

This year, we are excited to announce the Envisioning a Just Pittsburgh Fellowship. The Fellow will work across partner organizations, including Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, the University of Pittsburgh, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, August Wilson African American Cultural Center, and 1Hood Media, to steer the Envisioning a Just Pittsburgh showcase which will be held at the Carnegie Museum of Art in February 2027. The showcase will feature approximately fifty works selected by the jurors and the Fellow. 

The Fellow will curate the showcase at CMOA and support smaller satellite showcases at partner locations. They will also facilitate public-facing tours of the exhibition and art chats with visitors during its run. In addition, the Fellow will help archive past and present submissions by organizing digital artwork and synthesizing themes, artist information, and categories.

This Fellowship is designed to give opportunities to emerging artists and professionals seeking curatorial opportunities in Pittsburgh. The Fellow will work closely with Carnegie Museums staff as well as the staff from partner organizations to develop and present the showcase. Recent graduates, those early in their career, or seeking their first curatorial opportunity are encouraged to apply. 

Program Timeline

This is a six-month fellowship from October 2026 through March 2027.

• October: Orientation and research to support archival planning
• November: Jury deliberations and review of the 2027 selected artists and honorable mentions
• December: Curation of showcase(s) + archival work
• January: Continued curation of the showcase(s) and archival work
• February: Installation, showcase activations, and archival work
• March: Deinstallation and completion of archives

To Apply

Please use this link (https://form.jotform.com/250334385136151) to complete an official fellowship application. Submissions must be received by 11:59 PM on August 30, 2026. Attach the following materials with your submission:

• Statement of Interest (300-500 words): Tell us why you are interested in the fellowship and how your experience, creative practice, or curatorial interests connect to this opportunity.
• Creative or Professional Profile (250 words or less)
• Resume
• Art portfolio or curatorial portfolio (portfolio link, URL, or upload no more than 10 selected images as .jpeg or .pdf files)
• Short response (300 words or less): Describe how you would approach curating and supporting the Envisioning a Just Pittsburgh showcase.

Skills and Qualifications

• Comfort working across multiple artistic disciplines, including performing, interdisciplinary, visual, and literary arts.
• Experience with documentation, archiving, or cataloging creative work is a plus.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience participating in or helping curate an art showcase.
• A genuine passion for social justice-centered art and a desire to work professionally in this field.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating across partner organizations and managing multiple projects and timelines.
• Interest in community-centered or public-facing arts engagement.
• Strong sense of responsibility, ambition, and ability to meet deadlines in a professional setting.
• Ability to collaborate respectfully with others and respond well to constructive feedback.

Eligibility

Carnegie Museums will only accept applications from artists and professionals in Pittsburgh, PA or the surrounding area.

Must be 18 or older to apply.

Must be authorized to work in the US.

FAQ

Can you have been a previous winner of Envisioning a Just Pittsburgh – Yes, we encourage previous winners and submitters to apply. 

Can you submit for the 2026/2207 Envisioning a Just Pittsburgh cycle and apply for the Fellowship – At this time we are requiring those who are applying for the Fellowship to abstain from submitting to the Call. The selection of the Fellow will be made prior to the close of the Call. 

Important Information:

Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh requires all incoming volunteers, interns, fellows, contractors, and other visiting professionals to register with the Volunteer Office and complete the full suite of PA Act 153 clearances before starting a position with Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. This process will take place during official museum registration and onboarding facilitated by the Volunteer & Internship Office.