Carnegie Museum of Art’s artistic program is a dynamic engine for innovation—bringing together exhibitions, collection presentation, and education and public programming to expand the imaginative capacity of museum practice. Across these interconnected areas, the museum invites artists and audiences alike into new modes of exchange, presence, and dialogue, fostering meaningful encounters with art and ideas that resonate both locally and globally.
Reimagining the Collection
Carnegie Museum of Art is undertaking the most ambitious project in its history—a multiyear transformation of how its renowned collection is presented, experienced, and understood. Moving beyond a traditional chronological display, the museum is rethinking more than 100,000 works of art across 40,000 square feet of its Scaife wing to spark new ideas, perspectives, and conversations. This sweeping reinstallation invites visitors to explore art through compelling themes—such as power, representation, technology, and our relationship to the land—encouraging deeper engagement with both historic and contemporary works. Since the initiative began in 2023 with What Brings Us Here? and continued with the opening of a new gallery dedicated to Pittsburgh photojournalist Charles “Teenie” Harris, the museum has steadily renewed its spaces. Through 2027, galleries will continue to evolve, presenting rarely seen works alongside beloved favorites in bold new contexts. This full-scale reinstallation of the museum’s Scaife Galleries will leverage new art histories and points of engagement to convey timely, relevant storytelling based on our expansive permanent collection.
Carnegie International
Founded in 1896 as part of Andrew Carnegie’s vision to bring the art of the moment to Pittsburgh, the Carnegie International is the longest-running exhibition of contemporary art in North America—and the only one embedded within a museum. It remains central to Carnegie Museum of Art’s commitment to the art and artists of our time, connecting local audiences to a global exchange of ideas. Each edition enriches the museum’s collection while activating its programs, partnerships, and spaces in responsive and imaginative ways. Over time, hundreds of works first presented in the International have entered the collection, including those by Mary Cassatt, Winslow Homer, Camille Pissarro, Edward Hopper, Doris Salcedo, Hiroshi Sugimoto, and Lynette Yiadom-Boakye. Today, the International continues to engage artists and audiences from Pittsburgh and around the world, transforming the museum into a site of encounter with contemporary art in its many forms.
The 59th edition, If the word we, exemplifies the museum’s commitment to contemporary artists and creative collaboration on a global scale. Organized by curators Ryan Inouye, Danielle A. Jackson, and Liz Park, this expansive exhibition extends beyond the museum’s walls, activating partnerships across Pittsburgh—from the Children’s Museum and Mattress Factory to the Thelma Lovette YMCA. By engaging diverse communities and embracing multiple sites and formats, the International reflects the breadth and urgency of artistic practice today while reinforcing Pittsburgh’s role in the global cultural landscape.
Inspiring Through Education and Community Engagement
Carnegie Museum of Art is more than a place to view art—it is a vital partner in education, a platform for dialogue, and a space for connection and well-being. Its programs have nurtured generations of artists and thinkers, with alumni including Andy Warhol, Raymond Saunders, and Duane Michals. Through co-created K–12 learning experiences, dynamic public programs, and lifelong learning opportunities, the museum activates its collection in meaningful ways. It serves as a trusted partner to schools, a convener on critical issues, and a welcoming space for families and individuals alike. Carnegie Museum of Art’s education and public programming brings Carnegie Museum of Art’s collection and exhibitions’ central ideas into shared, public experience.
Support from donors makes this transformative work possible. Contributions sustain groundbreaking exhibitions, innovative educational programs, and community partnerships that enrich lives and strengthen the region’s cultural vitality.
By investing in Carnegie Museum of Art, you help ensure that art remains a powerful catalyst for creativity, learning, and connection—today and for generations to come.