Pittsburgh Creative Corps Spring Review 2026

Deadline for Spring Review

Monday, March 9, 2026 at 11:59 PM EDT

Summary

Shiftworks Community + Public Arts seeks artists living in southwestern Pennsylvania to be considered for the Pittsburgh Creative Corps (Corps), a group of pre-qualified artists whose work has been reviewed by a panel of artists, art and design professionals, and community stakeholders for various public art opportunities in southwest Pennsylvania. An online directory featuring Corps artist profiles is available to serve as a resource for public agencies, private businesses, or other organizations that seek to commission artwork in the public realm in southwestern Pennsylvania.

The Pittsburgh Creative Corps was originally designed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the opportunity to engage artists and creative workers to activate the public realm while providing economic opportunity. The Corps was designed to make the artist selection and vetting process for individual projects more equitable and time efficient, allowing the program to more quickly commission artists. Based on the success of the pilot program and increased interest in commissioning artists for opportunities to work in public space, the decision was made to continue the Corps. The Corps continues to engage a broad pool of artists in southwestern Pennsylvania for various public art opportunities that arise.

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to all artists living and working in southwestern Pennsylvania, including those working in visual arts, literary, performance, and other forms of practice. Artists who identify as established public artists, early/mid career public artists, and artists whose practice is poised for an opportunity in the public realm, regardless of career level and who fulfill the review criteria are encouraged to apply. Artists who have previously applied to the Corps but were not accepted are encouraged to reapply.

Selection Process

Twice a year, a panel of art and design professionals and community stakeholders will review application materials and select a list of pre-qualified artists for future Corps projects. Selected artists will be added to the online artist directory. A completed application is not a guarantee of selection. Applications submitted after March 10, 2025 at 11:59 pm ET will be moved to the fall 2025 selection review meeting. Applicants will be notified of the panel’s decision in spring 2025.

Information Session

Shiftworks is hosting a virtual information session for this opportunity on the following date. Attendees must register in advance by clicking the meeting’s unique link below. You will be redirected to Zoom to complete your registration.

Register for the Info Session: Monday, February 23, 2026 at 10 AM EDT

Application Assistance

Shiftworks offers virtual office hours to assist artists with application preparation prior to the submission deadline. Interested artists can reserve a 25-minute time slot to meet either virtually or in-person with Derek Reese, Program Manager of Artist Services. Attending office hours is not required in order to submit an application. If interested, please follow the directions below:

Schedule a virtual meeting on Mondays 10 AM – 12:30 PM

Schedule an in-person meeting on Thursdays from 2 PM – 4:30 PM