Dear friends,
Welcome, and thank you for discovering Carnegie Museum of Art! I am so grateful you’ve landed on our website, and I hope you have the chance to visit us in person.
When I came to the museum in 2015, I was struck by the legacy of this institution, as well as Pittsburgh. I was and continue to be taken with the city. From its history and people to the artistic community, the Steel City has depth, heart, and dedication. It truly stands out on an international map.
As one of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Museum of Art began as the vision of Andrew Carnegie, and his initial concept was to create a museum that would bring the world to the people of Pittsburgh. He achieved this aspiration by creating the very first Carnegie International exhibition in 1896, as a gift to those living and working in the city. More than 125 years later, through collecting art via each Carnegie International, the longest-running North American survey of international art, and through our many other creative activities, we continue to expand the imaginative potential of what a museum can be.
For so many reasons, including its extraordinary exhibition program, diverse collection, talented staff, passionate volunteers, and dedicated supporters, I believe that this museum is one of the most dynamic visual art institutions in America, and I’m so proud to be its tenth director.
Since becoming director in 2020, my vision for the museum has been to celebrate what makes it distinct from any other museum in the world: that Carnegie Museum of Art has been and continues to be a living archive of the art of its time. We showcase the work of artists relevant to local and immediate concerns, and through our interdisciplinary research, we strive to situate their innovations within a broader picture of the world today. The museum’s collection of some 100,000 works provides an inspiring context for this essential work. Our ultimate purpose is to make space for expansive inquiry into the art and ideas that shape our time, so that we may offer artists and audiences transformative experiences right here in Pittsburgh and beyond.
My sincere hope is that our museum may offer you an experience that is meaningful and shared with others. I look forward to seeing you in our galleries, and if you happen to cross paths with me, please say hello!
Yours,
Eric Crosby
Henry J. Heinz II Director, Carnegie Museum of Art
Vice President, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh
