Artist Opportunities

Current Calls for Artists

Fiberart International 2025

Application Deadline: Sunday, June 30, 2024 at 11:59 PM EST

Fiberart International 2025 seeks to exhibit the best of contemporary art and invites submissions that reflect a wide range of works related to the fiber medium. The exhibition is recognized around the world as a benchmark that documents trends and innovations in the field. The goal of the exhibition is to include innovative work rooted in traditional fiber materials, structure, processes and history, as well as art that explores unexpected relationships between fiber and other creative disciplines.

Click HERE to apply and learn more.

Click HERE to view the full prospectus.

The Store

As The Store’s reputation for featuring unique work by nationally recognized craft artists has grown, we have become increasingly selective about the artists whose work we choose to feature. Artists interested in representation in The Store should complete our online application here. Please contact our Store manager for additional information:

Contemporary Craft Store
5645 Butler Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
412.261.7003
store@contemporarycraft.org

The Studio

Artist Instructors

The Studio offers three semesters annually of day, evening and weekend classes in contemporary and traditional craft media for adults and teens. Our instructors include university professors, internationally known visiting artists, and production studio craftsmen. The Studio’s primary focus on distinctive offerings developed around four key themes: urban experience, artist and process, art and the environment, and crossing cultural boundaries deepens the organization’s craft niche, and strengthens ties to our exhibitions of work by national and international artists for a complete educational experience.

Artist instructors interested in sharing their enthusiasm and expertise with students in The Studio are asked to provide a class proposal, samples of your work, and references. Instructors must possess excellent organizational, communication, and teaching skills.

For more information or to submit materials, please contact the Education Department at studio@contemporarycraft.org.

Elizabeth R. Raphael Founder’s Prize

Applications are now closed for the 2022 Elizabeth R. Raphael Founder’s Prize.

In 1997, in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Contemporary Craft, a $5,000 prize for excellence in the field of contemporary craft was established. The biennial award is given in conjunction with a catalogue and juried exhibition in the gallery. This opportunity is funded by the daughters of Elizabeth R. Raphael, the founder of Contemporary Craft and a nationally known figure in the contemporary art scene for many decades.

Click HERE to see videos of past winners.

LEAP (Lydon Emerging Artist Program) Award

Applications are now closed for the 2023 LEAP Award. Please check back in the fall for the 2024 application.

The LEAP Award was established in 2007 in honor of Contemporary Craft Director of Exhibitions Kate Lydon’s 20-years of service. The program recognizes exceptional emerging talent in the contemporary craft field and provides opportunities for these early career artists to bring their artwork to the consumer market. The yearlong retail program features, markets and sells the work of one winner and four finalists. The winner also receives a $1,000 prize.

LEAP is open to exceptionally talented graduate students and/or emerging artists who are beginning to receive recognition for their work, but are not currently represented by well-established galleries. Artists must work in craft media: ceramics, wood, metal/jewelry, glass, found materials, mixed media, fiber or a combination of these materials.

For more information, please contact Jim Ebbert at store@contemporarycraft.org

Regional Artist-in-Residence

Click HERE to submit your application. For more information, please contact studio@contemporarycraft.org.

The Regional Artist-in-Residence program at Contemporary Craft will allow artists at any stage of their career and living within a 100 mile radios of Pittsburgh, free access to fully equipped studios, CC staff support, and the opportunity to interface with the public while creating a body of work.  The residency will last between 3-6 months, depending on the mutual availability of the requested Studio and the resident artist interest.  In exchange for the free usage of Contemporary Craft’s state of the art studio space as well as a monthly materials stipend, the artist in residence will be asked to engage with the public while working in the studio.

ELIGIBILITY

The ideal candidate will work in a craft medium that our studios can support, such as metalsmithing, jewelry, fibers, wood, encaustics, paper and book arts, or small ceramics.  They would have experience in a studio setting with knowledge of safety procedures and best practices.

BENEFITS

  • Full access to studio space, equipment, and tools during all public hours
  • Private storage for personal tools and equipment
  • A $100 monthly materials stipend
  • Opportunity to enter into a relationship with CC’s retail Store to sell work
  • Free tuition for 1-2 Studio workshops based on length of the residency
  • Opportunity to be a paid instructor in the Studio

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Artist-in-Residence is expected to:

  • Be present in the Studio at least 1-2 days each week for the duration of the residency, during public hours
  • Volunteer for public events and be available to visitors as possible
  • Give an artist talk/presentation at culmination of the residency
  • Attend a short weekly check-in with Studio staff
  • Maintain overall Studio cleanliness

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

  • Letter of intent
    • Please provide a description of your current practice, the body of work you intend to complete while in residence, and why you would be a good fit for this opportunity at Contemporary Craft.
  • Resume
  • Artist Statement
  • Desired residency session(s) and choice of Studio (Metals, Fibers/Mixed Media, or Wood)
  • At least three images of your work
  • Three references
    • Please provide their contact information and their relation to you

SESSIONS

There are 4 residency sessions in each Studio throughout the year.  Applicants may request 1 session or 2 sessions in their desired Studio.  Sessions are as follows:

  • January 1 – March 30
  • April 1 – June 30
  • July 1 – September 30
  • October 1 – December 31

APPLICATION

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and will be reviewed approximately 2 months prior to the start of each session.  Applications will be reviewed and notifications will be sent according the following schedule:

Session Dates Applications Reviewed Notifications Sent
July 1-September 30, 2022 May 3, 2022 May 10, 2022
October 1-December 31, 2022 August 2, 2022 August 9, 2022
January 1-March 31, 2023 November 1, 2022 November 8, 2022
April 1-June 30, 2023 February 7, 2023 February 14, 2023

Studio Apprenticeship

Applications for the 2022/2023 Studio Apprenticeship are now closed.

Contemporary Craft offers a paid, yearlong studio apprenticeship to an emerging craft artist seeking to develop professional skills working with one of the nation’s only non-profits focusing exclusively on creation, exhibition, and education across all contemporary craft media. Contemporary Craft focuses on engaging the public in the creative experience through contemporary craft. This opportunity will provide the apprentice with real-world experience working in a professional arts education facility, while providing opportunities to work alongside nationally and internationally recognized artists.

Studio Apprentices

2022-23 Vicki Branagan
2019-20 Kate Fitzgerald
2018-19 Alyssa Rodibaugh
2016 Jhenny Adams
2015 Amy Masters
2014 Jenny Soracco
2013 Samantha Skelton
2012 Sarah Loch-Test

Contemporary Craft does not discriminate on the basis of sex, age, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, handicap/disability, or veteran’s status. Further, Contemporary Craft will continue to take affirmative steps to support and advance these values consistent with our mission.

For more information, please contact studio@contemporarycraft.org.