Envisioning a Just Pittsburgh Artist Showcase

A free call for Pittsburgh-connected artists across disciplines to submit new creative work on the theme of Home, asking how Pittsburgh can be a just and equitable home for all. Adult and youth categories encompass writing, visual art, performance, video and interdisciplinary work. Selected works may be exhibited or performed at participating Pittsburgh institutions and shared on web and social media channels. Category winners receive cash awards, with adult first-place awards of $2,000. Artists may offer exhibited works for sale at their discretion.

Home — How can Pittsburgh be a just and equitable home for all?

Applicants must be part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area diaspora as current residents, people attending school in Pittsburgh, or people born in and still attached to the city. Adult artists must be at least 18 on November 1, 2026. Youth divisions are grades 6–8 and grades 9–12 in the 2026–2027 school year, with grade eligibility assessed on November 1, 2026. Submit new work; application forms and artwork/portfolio are listed as application materials. Award categories are 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); and Video & Interdisciplinary (works crossing categories, mixed media, digital art). Youth divisions use these same four broad categories. Artists are encouraged to draw on lived experience, community sharing, memory, storytelling, research and imagination. Application-status notifications are in November 2026. Selected artists must sign and return the institutional agreement by December 4, 2026. Accepted artworks must be delivered in person and picked up at the curator-assigned site according to the acceptance letter and exhibition agreement; sites cannot receive shipments directly, and artists must arrange delivery. Display locations are determined by the project curator. Works may be displayed or performed in person and additionally on web and social media channels. Exhibited works may be offered for sale at the artist's discretion. Monetary awards per category: adult first place $2,000 and second place $1,500; high school first place $500 and second place $250; middle school first place $250 and second place $100. No application, participation or additional fees are stated. The listing says winners and runners-up will participate in showcases throughout February 2026; that stated showcase timing conflicts with its November 2026 application deadline.