Shiftworks Community + Public Arts

Pittsburgh Creative Corps:  Artist Nomination

I. 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 at tinyurl.com/corps-artist-directory 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.

II. About the Pittsburgh Creative Corps
Members of the Corps are pre-qualified artists who may receive invitations for temporary and permanent public art projects managed and/or commissioned by the Corps stakeholders. An online directory featuring Corps artist profiles will be available at tinyurl.com/corps-artist-directory to serve as a tool for public agencies, private businesses, or other organizations that seek to commission artwork in the public realm in southwestern Pennsylvania.
 

As projects are defined and funded, Corps artists may receive an invitation to indicate their interest and availability for the specific project. The Corps artist(s) would then go through a simplified selection process for the potential commission, which may include an interview or submission of a paid project proposal.
 

Shiftworks will use the Corps in the following ways:
 

• As projects are identified, scoped, and budgeted, staff may identify a shortlist of artists from the Corps and invite them to indicate their interest and availability for the commission. If they are interested and available, they may be invited to participate in an interview or other selection process with project stakeholders.
• Staff may also identify one or more Corps artists and invite them to submit a paid conceptual proposal for a project or commission that has been identified, scoped, and budgeted.
• Staff may utilize the Corps to connect artists and others to fabrication and implementation resources.
• The Pittsburgh Creative Corps Directory is available to public agencies, private businesses, and other organizations who seek to commission artists for projects in the public realm.
• Staff may elect to design opportunities to support the specific development needs of Corps artists with little or no experience working in the public realm in order to expand the capabilities and experience of Corps artists.

In addition, all members of the Corps will be notified via Shiftworks' Artist Opportunity List of open calls for artists that are released by Shiftworks.

III. Eligibility & Review Criteria
This Pittsburgh Creative Corps 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 below are encouraged to apply

Artists who have previously applied to the Corps but were not accepted are encouraged to reapply.

What is our definition of public art?
At Shiftworks, we define public art as all art that impacts the public realm, regardless of ownership of the land on which it is located. Public art may include physical artworks, such as sculptures or murals, or other types of artist-designed activations of the public realm, such as performances, workshops, walking tours, etc.

What is our definition of the public realm?
We define the public realm as the physical space and place from building face to building face that influences the way in which we experience and inhabit the shared spaces of our city. It includes exterior spaces, such as streets, sidewalks, front yards, parks, public courtyards and plazas, and building facades. In our definition, it can also include interior spaces if those spaces are open and fully accessible to the general public. Examples of interior spaces that are part of the public realm include public libraries, public transit stations, and public buildings such as government offices.

    Artists will be reviewed based on the following criteria:
 

• Past work shows a strong, consistent, and clear artistic voice
• Experience working collaboratively, either in their artistic practice or other experience
• Interest in working on public art and/or collaborative art projects with community members, as demonstrated in the responses to the Artist Questionnaire
• Strength of past work in the self-selected areas of expertise and media indicated in the application
• Responses to the Artist Questionnaire

Inclusion in the Corps does not guarantee a commission. In addition, Shiftworks may release additional open calls for artists that include artists beyond those listed on the Corps Roster.

IV. Nomination and Artist Selection Process
Artist nominations are accepted on a rolling basis. Shiftworks will reach out to invite each nominee to submit further application materials for review. 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 and will be added to the online Corps directory. Nominees/applicants are not guaranteed selection into the Corps.

Nominators must submit an artist nomination via the electronic form fields below:

Pittsburgh Creative Corps:  General Application for Spring Review
Application Deadline:  March 9, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET for spring 2026 consideration

Information Session Recording: tinyurl.com/CorpsSession 

A. 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 at tinyurl.com/corps-artist-directory 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.

*Southwestern Pennsylvania consists of Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, Somerset, Venango, Washington, and Westmoreland counties.

B. About the Pittsburgh Creative Corps and the Roster

The Corps is a coordinated effort to commission artists and other creative workers to fabricate and install public art, and create civic engagement programs throughout the greater Pittsburgh region.
 

The Corps is a group of pre-qualified artists who may receive invitations for temporary and permanent public art projects managed and/or commissioned by Corps stakeholders. An online directory featuring Corps artist profiles is available at tinyurl.com/corps-artist-directory to serve as a tool for public agencies, private businesses, or other organizations that seek to commission artwork in the public realm in southwestern Pennsylvania.

        Shiftworks will use the Corps in the following ways:
 

• As projects are identified, scoped, and budgeted, staff may identify a shortlist of artists from the Corps and invite them to indicate their interest and availability for the commission. If they are interested and available, they may be invited to participate in an interview or other selection process with project stakeholders.
• Staff may also identify one or more Corps artists and invite them to submit a paid conceptual proposal for a project or commission that has been identified, scoped, and budgeted.
• Staff may utilize the Corps to connect artists and others to fabrication and implementation resources.
• The Pittsburgh Creative Corps Directory is available to public agencies, private businesses, and other organizations who seek to commission artists for projects in the public realm.
• Staff may elect to design opportunities to support the specific development needs of Corps artists with little or no experience working in the public realm in order to expand the capabilities and experience of Corps artists.

In addition, all members of the Corps will be notified via the Shiftworks' Artist Opportunity List of open calls for artists that are released by Shiftworks.

C. Eligibility & Review Criteria
        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 below are encouraged to apply.

        Artists who have previously applied to the Corps but were not accepted are encouraged to reapply.

*Southwestern Pennsylvania consists of Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Somerset, Washington, and Westmoreland counties.

What is our definition of public art?
        At Shiftworks, we define public art as all art that impacts the public realm, regardless of ownership of the land on which it is located. Public art may include physical artworks, such as sculptures or murals, or other types of artist-designed activations of the public realm, such as performances, workshops, walking tours, etc.

What is our definition of the public realm?
        We define the public realm as the physical space and place from building face to building face that influences the way in which we experience and inhabit the shared spaces of our city. It includes exterior spaces, such as streets, sidewalks, front yards, parks, public courtyards and plazas, and building facades. In our definition, it can also include interior spaces if those spaces are open and fully accessible to the general public. Examples of interior spaces that are part of the public realm include public libraries, public transit stations, and public buildings such as government offices.

        Artists will be reviewed based on the following criteria:

• Past work shows a strong, consistent, and clear artistic voice
• Experience working collaboratively, either in their artistic practice or other experience
• Interest in working in the public realm with community members, clients, and/or stakeholders, as demonstrated in the responses to the Artist Questionnaire 
• Strength of past work in the self-selected areas of expertise and media indicated in the application
• Responses to the Artist Questionnaire

Inclusion in the Corps does not guarantee a commission. In addition, Shiftworks may release additional open calls for artists that include artists beyond those listed on the Corps.

D. 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 9, 2026 at 11:59 pm ET will not be guaranteed inclusion in the spring 2026 selection review meeting. Applicants will be notified of the panel's decision in spring 2026.

E. How to Apply
        Interested artists must submit an application via the electronic form fields below. Applicants must supply the information and materials in entirety for an application to be considered complete:

Artist Information:
        Please provide the following:

• Name and pronoun(s)
• Gender identity
• Disability (optional)
• Racial and/or ethnic identity
• Business or studio name (if applicable)
• Email address
• Phone number
• Mailing address
• If applying as a team, the above information must be submitted for each member (up to two others), as well as a brief description of each member's role on the team.
• If applying as a business, the above information must be submitted for the business owners (primary contact plus up to two others).
• Primary Website/Social Media URL
• Secondary Website/Social Media URL (if applicable)
• I certify that I am an artist living and working in southwestern Pennsylvania. (Check box response) 

Artist Questionnaire
        Please answer the following questions either in written form or as video or audio recording submission. The video or audio recording should be no more than four (4) minutes long. Please note that this should not be a highly produced or edited recording. The intent of this option is to provide an opportunity for individuals who feel they can represent themselves better verbally versus in writing.  

        If applying as a team or business, please be sure that the key members are represented in the recording, and that their roles are indicated.

NOTE: If submitting a video or audio recording instead of a written response, you must type the words “See Recording” within the respective text fields in Submittable in order to complete your application.

1. Why do you want to be a part of the Pittsburgh Creative Corps? (100 words suggested max)

2. What does public art mean to you as part of your personal creative practice? If not currently an artist in the public realm, how might an opportunity in the public realm affect your personal creative practice? (100 words suggested max)
Tip: Keep in mind the distinction between public art and public realm, as defined within this artist call.

3. In what ways do you work collaboratively as an artist or otherwise? Why is collaboration important to you? (100 words suggested max)
Tip: Other forms of collaboration may also include experiences working with the general public, teaching, clients, community organizing, etc.

Additional Key Details
        Applicants are asked to identify their areas of expertise and primary media. Applicants who select more than the indicated maximum will have their applications returned to them for revision. When making your selections, please keep in mind that your self-identified categories should be further demonstrated in your responses to the Artist Questionnaire and/or project/artwork samples provided in your application.

1. What are your areas of expertise and artwork types? (select no more than three)

• Community engagement and social justice
• Digital / lighting / projection art
• Environmental and landscape art
• Sculptural art
• Site-specific and integrated art
• 2-D art, including murals, mosaic, photography, etc.
• Literary arts, including poetry, creative writing, fiction, and non-fiction
• Live performance, including puppetry, theater, dance, music, etc.

2. What are your primary media? (select no more than three)

• Assemblage, including found objects, multimedia
• Audio / sound recording
• Carving, including wood, stone, other materials
• Ceramic / glass
• Digital / photography
• Fabrication, including wood, metal, glass
• Illustration / comics / graphic novels
• Kinetic art
• Landscape design
• Metals / Jewelry
• Murals
• Painting / works on paper / printmaking
• Textile / fabric / weaving
• Site-specificity determines materials used

3. Have you completed a public art project in which you were the lead artist? 

• Yes
• No
   

3a. If yes, how many public art projects have you completed in which you were the lead? 

• 1-5
• 6-10
• 11-20
• 21+

3b. If yes, what is the largest public art commission you have received in which you were the lead?

• $2,500 or less
• $2,501 - $5,000
• $5,001 - $10,000
• $10,001 - $25,000
• $25,001 - $50,000
• $50,001 - $100,000
• $100,001 - $250,000
• above $250,000

4. Are you a teaching artist / workshop artist?

• Yes
• No

4a. If yes, what age range(s) or specific audience(s) do you teach?

5. Do you provide fabrication services for other artists or designers? E.g. Work for hire to implement another artist or designer’s vision.

• Yes
• No

6. Do you have any accreditations, certifications, notable experiences (formal or informal), or awards that are relevant to this opportunity?

• Yes (please list, including the year received)
• No

7.  If selected, do you grant permission for Shiftworks to include all of the material provided within this application in your profile as part of the online directory? The directory would include: Artist name; website (if applicable); areas of expertise and artwork types; primary media; and submitted work samples.

• Yes
• No

8.  If you are selected for the Corps, you will be required to submit an artist statement/biography (250 words max) and a representative artist photo, such as a headshot or other image that is representative of yourself, team, or business to be included as part of your online profile. You will have an opportunity to review the profile prior to it being published online. Choosing to not be part of the public-facing directory will NOT preclude you from being selected as a Corps artist.

• I understand

9. Would you like to sign up for the Shiftworks email marketing list to stay informed about public art events and artist opportunities that may be of interest to you? 

• Yes
• Not at this time

 Five (5) Project/Artwork Samples
         As part of your application, you may submit up to five (5) project/artwork samples. These work samples should clearly demonstrate your experience and skills in the self-identified areas of expertise and primary media that you selected in this application.
 

• For visual work, you may submit up to three (3) jpg images to represent each sample, or one (1) video.
• For text based work, please submit a single PDF.
• For video and audio samples, URL links to third-party hosting sites are preferred,  but uploaded files will be accepted. Video and audio samples must be no longer than 3 minutes each.

        If applying as a business or team, it is recommended that you submit samples of artwork that were created collaboratively.

        Please name files using the following naming convention: Artist Last Name_Artist First Name_Name of Artwork1 (for example, “Kahlo_Frida_Self Portrait1.jpg”)

Project Sample Descriptions
        Within the application form, you will be prompted to enter descriptive information for each work project sample, including the title, medium, dimensions, year, and a brief (50 word max) description of each to share any critical contextual information that is not already evident in the work sample.

References
        Please provide three references. References should be affiliated with projects or relevant professional experiences ideally completed within the past five years.

F. Information Session

A recorded information session about the Pittsburgh Creative Corps program may be found at: tinyurl.com/CorpsSession 

G. Application Assistance

Twice a week, Shiftworks offers in-person and virtual office hours to assist artists with application preparation prior to the submission deadline. Attending office hours is not required in order to submit an application. If interested, please follow the directions below: 

• VIRTUAL meetings are available weekly on MONDAYS from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM. A meeting link will be emailed to you in advance of the meeting. You may schedule a virtual meeting through our online calendar. 

• IN-PERSON meetings are available weekly on THURSDAYS from 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM. Our office is located in East Liberty at 224 North Euclid Avenue, Suite 206. Pittsburgh, PA 15206. You may schedule an in-person meeting through our online calendar. 

  H. Notification of Results
        Artists will be notified of the panel's decision in spring 2026.

        Inclusion in the Pittsburgh Creative Corps does not guarantee a commission of artwork. Shiftworks reserves the right not to select any of the applicants for commissions.
 

Cherry Way Light Installation: Request for Proposals

Released: Monday, March 9. 2026 

Submission Deadline: Monday, April 27, 2026

Introduction  

The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) seeks to engage one or more artists to create a light-based installation along Cherry Way, a five-block street in Downtown Pittsburgh. The sites of the installations consist of two one-block covered sections of roadway: The first includes the pedestrian-only walkway adjacent to the roadway beneath the historic former Kaufmann’s building and Frick Annex / Allegheny Building, home to Target, the Apollo Cafe and other retailers, as well as apartments and a hotel. The second site is the section of Cherry Way that travels under One Oxford Centre, a major office and retail complex with an adjoining parking garage. Together, they present a unique opportunity for site-responsive light installations that enhance the experience of both pedestrians and drivers, improve safety and wayfinding, and activate an underutilized downtown corridor.

In order to select the artist(s) for the opportunity, Shiftworks Community + Public Arts is collaborating with the PDP to invite six artists to create a paid Preliminary Proposal for the artwork. Up to two artists will be hired to develop a  more detailed Conceptual Design and budget for the artwork(s). Funding for the Preliminary Proposal and Conceptual Design phases of work is provided in part by the City of Pittsburgh’s American Rescue Plan Act Arts Programming. 

Each invited artist will be paid $500 to develop and submit a Preliminary Proposal where the anticipated overall project budget for both locations is $150,000, including all materials, labor, consulting electrical engineer (if necessary), applicable permits, and project management. A Selection Panel consisting of project stakeholders will choose up to two artists for the commission. It is possible that one artist will be chosen to install work in both underpasses, or that two different artists will be chosen, one for each underpass. The Selection Panel will primarily evaluate concepts based on artistic strength, creativity, and alignment with the project’s goals. While feasibility and budget considerations may inform the discussion, detailed technical and budget information is optional and may be included at the applicant’s discretion.

The Opportunity 

Light-based artwork is not new to urban Downtown Pittsburgh.  And its direct connection and integration into our rich architectural legacy has been notable.  Prominent examples of these light-based artworks range from 1939’s The Puddler featuring animated neon lights complementing the Wood St. stained glass facade of 300 Sixth Avenue, to 2005’s For Pittsburgh by Jenny Holzer running along the sloping roof edge of the David Lawrence Convention Center.  This opportunity will continue and build upon this rich history.

Since 2013, PDP’s Downtown Activation + Public Art initiative has enhanced the downtown neighborhood through place-based artworks, programming, and community-centered strategies that support a more vibrant and sustainable urban environment. To date, two notable artist-designed light installations have been installed as part of this initiative: Garrison Canal (Andrea Polli, 2018) and Coffee Way Shadow Gallery (Clear Story, 2024). These projects use light to both beautify downtown and create safer, more welcoming corridors for pedestrians. 

Artists are encouraged to think expansively about light as the primary medium for transforming these two distinct spaces, with sound, kinetic, or interactive elements as secondary, budget-dependent options where appropriate. Proposals should also consider how the installations might visually or experientially connect the two sites, helping to unify Cherry Way as a cohesive and engaging street for both pedestrians and drivers.

Budget

Fundraising efforts for this project are ongoing, and the final project budget has yet to be confirmed. Each invited artist will be paid $500 to develop and submit a Preliminary Proposal, including concept narrative and renderings, where the anticipated project budget is $150,000. Artists are asked to include in their Preliminary Proposal multiple tiers of scope, allowing the project to expand or contract if the final budget is higher or lower than anticipated.

The selected artist(s) will be engaged to further develop their Preliminary Proposals into more detailed Conceptual Design(s), with associated budget, for an additional fee. Once a final overall project budget is established, artist(s) will then enter into agreement with PDP for final design and implementation.

Eligibility and Criteria

This invitational Request for Proposals (RFP) was shared with a short list of invited artists based on their existing demonstrated experience. Please do not share this call with other artists. 

Invited artists may respond as part of a team. If applying as a team, the team must be led by an invited visual artist and the roles of any non-visual artists should be defined in the application. 

Proposals will be reviewed based on the following criteria:

• Activates the spaces: A site-responsive installation focused on the pedestrian walkways that visually or experientially connect the two sites, unifying Cherry Way as a cohesive and engaging street.
• Resonates with the public: Sparks curiosity and dialogue, encourages interaction, and invites diverse downtown audiences to linger, reflect, and return for deeper engagement.
• Design Scalability: Offers multiple tiers of scope, allowing the project to expand or contract if the final budget is higher or lower than anticipated.
• Achievable and Sustainable: Considers practical materials, installation methods, and maintenance needs appropriate for temporary outdoor lighting activations.

While feasibility and budget considerations may inform the discussion, detailed technical and budget information is optional and may be included at the applicant’s discretion.

In addition, selected artists will have demonstrated:

• Ability to work within a given budget and timeframe;
• Experience successfully managing fabrication and installation needs and coordinating project management responsibilities; and
• Flexibility and comfort in adapting their design and budget to suit unique project parameters such as dimensions, access, site conditions, and logistics.

Proposals that contain the following will not be considered: 

• Overly bright or flashing lights projected directly onto the road surface;
• Anchor methods that may permanently damage the building’s brick or tiles. Anchor points will be generally limited to mortar joints;
• Ceiling-mounted elements for the pedestrian walkway that hang more than 3 inches from the ceiling. 

Selection Process

Preliminary Proposals submitted through this RFP will be reviewed by a Selection Panel consisting of representatives of PDP, project stakeholders, property owners, and arts professionals. The panel will review proposals and identify up to three (3) artists to interview for the project some time between May 18 - 29, 2026. Shiftworks may check references to assist in the evaluation of applicants’ qualifications, should they advance to the interview stage. 

If selected for an interview, artists will be asked to prepare a short presentation about their past work and details about the Preliminary Proposal, followed by a question and answer session with the panel. Following the interviews, up to two (2) artists will be selected for the commission. It is possible that one artist will be chosen to design work for both underpasses, or that two different artists will be chosen, one for each underpass. 

Timeline*

Monday, March 9, 2026                            Invitation and Design Brief shared with artists

Monday, March 16, 2026                           Deadline for artists to accept invitation

Friday, March 27, 2026                             Site Visit with Artists

Monday, April 27, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET    Deadline for proposals

May 18 - 29, 2026                                      Artist Selection Meeting #1 

May June 1 - 12, 2026                                Artist Selection Meeting #2. [Final Artist(s) Selected]

Summer, 2026                                           PDP and Shiftworks develop feasibility study and project proposal                           

*Timeline subject to change

Site Background 

Click here to access more images of each site, including 3D captures.

Underpass #1: Kaufmann’s Building & Frick Annex / Allegheny Building

The pedestrian-only walkway beneath the historic former Kaufmann’s Building and Frick Annex / Allegheny Building runs alongside Cherry Way’s roadway for one block (approximately 230 feet in length). Oriented north–south, the corridor has an approximate ceiling height of 8 feet and a path width of about 6 feet. Partially enclosed and parallel to vehicular traffic, it forms a narrow but active pedestrian passage that serves as a key connection between Forbes Avenue and Fifth Avenue.

The physical characteristics of the corridor shifts along its length. The southern half (Frick Annex & Allegheny Building) is fully enclosed, with glazed brick on both the east and west walls that gives this portion a more contained, tunnel-like feel. In contrast, the northern half visually opens up to glazed  brick columns that line the west side of the corridor, allowing views to adjacent Cherry Way vehicular traffic. The east side opens to a subterranean retail parking garage entrance that intersects the pedestrian path and accommodates vehicular access from Cherry Way.  The ceiling for the entire length of the walkway is concrete and offers an option for supporting low-profile light fixtures, pending inspection. 

Electrical access is limited to the southern wall of the walkway via utility crawl spaces behind the wall which are accessed from the main building. As with both sites, the precise locations and capacity of electrical access points cannot be confirmed until a general contractor conducts a more detailed building inspection once the final artist(s) are selected and the final design phase begins. Artists are encouraged to prioritize flexibility and scalability in their conceptual proposals to accommodate these variables. 

Underpass #2: One Oxford Centre

The section of Cherry Way beneath One Oxford Centre is a one-block underpass (approximately 170 feet in length) running north–south between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue. Unlike the Kaufmann’s site, this area functions as an active vehicular roadway, with pedestrian sidewalks on both sides. The width of the enclosed area spans approximately 60 feet from wall to wall, with a ceiling height of roughly 20 feet, creating a much broader and more open space. 

The eastern side of the corridor includes a pedestrian sidewalk approximately 8 feet wide, bounded by a wall composed of concrete panels with existing mounted can light fixtures. The north and south ends of this wall also contain metal exhaust grates which must remain unobstructed. Currently, the utility access areas behind this wall are the only confirmed locations for electrical access. 

The underpass features a colonnade of aluminum columns running down the western side of the corridor that may serve as a support for possible interventions. The western side also  accommodates  an approximately 8-foot-wide pedestrian sidewalk and an additional open pedestrian area of roughly 16 feet that serves as a transition space to and from the Allies Parking Garage entrance and elevator lobby. Much of the western facade is occupied by this garage entry, limiting opportunities for wall-mounted fixtures. Any proposed interventions on this side must be confined to overhead wall areas above the garage entrance and elevator lobby windows, as well as smaller sections of blank wall that cap the ends of the underpass. 

The aluminum plank, drop-style ceiling contains recessed can lights that provide existing downlighting. This ceiling may offer opportunities for the installation of low-profile lighting elements, pending inspection. As with both sites, the precise locations and capacity of electrical access points cannot be confirmed until a general contractor conducts a more detailed building inspection once the final artist(s) are selected and the final design phase begins. Artists are encouraged to prioritize flexibility and scalability in their conceptual proposals to accommodate these variables. 

Proposal  Submission

Preliminary Proposals must be submitted using the input fields below. The deadline for submission is Monday, April 27, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET. Artists must supply the following information and materials in their entirety for their proposals to be considered complete:

Artist Information

• Name, pronouns, and racial/ethnic identity
• Contact information: email and mailing address, phone number, and website
• Team member names and their roles (if applicable)

Proposal Narrative 

Artists are asked to submit either a written proposal narrative of no more than 500 words, or a video or audio recording of no more than four minutes in length. Please be as descriptive as possible and keep the following questions in mind when describing your concept:

• What are the key visual elements of your design? 
• How does your design respond to the goals laid out in this design brief? 
• How might your design be adapted or scaled up or down to account for changes to the final total project budget? 
• How have your past experiences prepared you to successfully complete this installation, including managing fabrication, installation, budget, and timeline? 

Visual Material 

In a single PDF, submit up to five sketches , drawings, or links to videos/animation each no more than four (4) minutes in length that fully illustrate your proposal. For video links, please include a screen grab image as a placeholder. Underneath each image, please include descriptive text, and video link (if applicable), with any contextual information necessary for properly evaluating your design proposal.

Payment

Invited artists will be paid $500 upon submission of their Preliminary Proposal. At the time of your submission, you’ll be asked to upload a current W9 form, Direct Deposit Form , and an invoice for $500 to Shiftworks Community + Public Arts 224 N Euclid Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15206. Artists are invited to use Shiftworks’ invoice template, if you prefer. 

Deadline for Submission

Lighting integration proposals must be received by  Monday, April 27, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET. Late or incomplete submissions will be neither accepted nor reviewed. 

Assistance 

Artists interested in assistance or feedback during proposal development are invited to sign up for one-on-one work session(s) with Derek Reese, Shiftworks’ Program Manager for Artist Services. 

VIRTUAL meetings are available weekly on MONDAYS from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM. You may schedule a virtual meeting through our online calendar. 

IN-PERSON meetings are available weekly on THURSDAYS from 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM. Shiftworks’ offices are located in East Liberty at 224 North Euclid Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. You may schedule an in-person meeting through our online calendar.

Questions

For questions about this opportunity or the proposal process, please contact Derek Reese  at derek@shiftworkspgh.org or 412-806-0244.