Pittsburgh Creative Corps opens Call for Artists; launches new online directory

Pittsburgh, PA — The Pittsburgh Creative Corps opened its 2022 Call for Artists today. The Corps, a partnership between the Office of Public Art and Riverlife, brought temporary public art and programming to the Allegheny Overlook Pop-up Park and riverfronts throughout summer 2021, and will be implementing projects through the 2022 season.

About the Call for Artists

Participation in the Corps is open to artists who are interested in working in the public realm and live in southwestern Pennsylvania, including those working in visual arts, literary, performance, and other forms of practice. Applications to join are reviewed by a panel of artists, art and design professionals, and community stakeholders, and Corps members are eligible for various public art opportunities from 2022 through 2024. Artists seeking to be part of the Corps from now through 2024 can submit an application at https://pittsburghartscouncil.submittable.com/submit. More information about the Pittsburgh Creative Corps, including a newly launched online directory of current Creative Corps artists, can be found at pittsburghcreativecorps.org.

“In the summer of 2021, the Pittsburgh Creative Corps commissioned over twenty artists for projects in the public realm on a variety of scales. Further, we have been connecting artists in the Corps with other opportunities that come up from community partners throughout the year – a process that will be greatly enhanced by the launch of the new online directory” said Sallyann Kluz, director of the Office of Public Art. “We are excited to be able to bring more artists into the Corps and work with them to activate Pittsburgh’s public spaces and riverfronts while providing more economic opportunities.”

About the Pittsburgh Creative Corps

The Pittsburgh Creative Corps was designed to make the artist selection processes for public art opportunities more equitable and time efficient, allowing the initiative to quickly commission artists for projects in the public realm. Members of the Corps may receive invitations for temporary and permanent public art projects managed and/or commissioned by the Pittsburgh Creative Corps partners. In addition, they will be featured in a new online directory of artists seeking to work in the public realm in the Pittsburgh region. The directory highlights the profiles of Corps artists and serves as a resource for public agencies, private businesses, and other organizations that seek to commission artwork in the public realm in southwestern Pennsylvania. The Creative Corps team worked with Pittsburgh-based design firm Little Kelpie to create the directory. For more information and to explore the online directory, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/pcc-artist-directory.

“Pittsburgh Creative Corps brings vibrancy and vitality to Pittsburgh’s downtown open spaces, and we are thrilled to see the program grow and thrive over the next two years,” said Matthew Galluzzo, Riverlife president and CEO. “Southwestern PA has so many talented artists and creators. Pittsburgh Creative Corps connects them to unique paid opportunities that enliven the city as more and more people return to Downtown. It’s a win-win.”

The Call for Artists is open to anyone who identifies as an established public artist, an early/mid-career public artist, and/or an artist whose practice is poised for an opportunity in the public realm, regardless of their career level. Interested applicants can review the complete Call for Artists and submit their materials via OPA’s Submittable by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/pcc-artist-directory. The Call for Artists is open now through Monday, April 11, 2022.

Information Sessions

The Office of Public Art will hold two artist information sessions for the Call for Artists. Attendance of the information sessions is not required as part of the application; however, registration to attend the session is required. Each session will be held online via Zoom:

• Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 6:00 PM. To register: tinyurl.com/PCC-Info1
• Thursday, March 31, 2022 at 10:00 AM. To register: tinyurl.com/PCC-Info2

Office Hours

In addition to the information sessions, the Office of Public Art offers office hours for artists via Zoom every Thursday from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM and every Friday from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. This time is open to artists seeking assistance with application preparation prior to the submission deadline. Attending office hours is not required in order to submit an application. To schedule an office hours meeting, please visit: https://calendly.com/opaofficehours/30min.

Funding and resources for Pittsburgh Creative Corps are provided by the Henry L. Hillman Foundation, Richard King Mellon Foundation, Riverlife, and Office of Public Art.

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About Riverlife

Since 1999, Riverlife has worked to create, activate, and celebrate Pittsburgh’s riverfronts, connecting people through exceptional places and experiences. Riverlife has been a leader in building a community vision for over 15 miles and 880 acres of Downtown riverfront parks, trails, and public open space. RiverlifePGH.org.