Invitation to Apply for Rotating Art Installations

Pittsburgh International Airport, Allegheny County Airport Authority

Deadline: Ongoing

The Allegheny County Airport Authority (ACAA) accepts applications from individual artists or artist collaboratives for Rotating Art Installations at the Pittsburgh International Airport. Respondents are encouraged to submit work samples of 2Dimensional, 3Dimensional, Video and Installation work for display in various locations around the airport.

This initiative is part of the PIT Art in the Airport program, which aims to enhance the airport experience for visitors and staff, by presenting dynamic visual art, performing art, and public art produced by local, regional, national, and international artists. This program is part of the airport’s commitment to creating a sense of place by connecting to the region it serves through offerings unique to Pittsburgh, including art, culture, cuisine, individuals and institutions. 

The PIT Art in the Airport program is comprised of the Arts and Culture Manager with an Art Advisory Committee which reviews projects and submissions to fulfill program goals. Selected projects will be on display for a period of three(3) months.


1. How to Apply:

Please submit the following required items:

a) ALL contact details in form fields provided

b) Resume 

c) A Letter of Interest (no more than 500 words)

d) Between 5 and 10 work samples of artwork (images or video link)

Artists/Collaboratives are responsible for travel and insurance of artwork to and from the installation. Airport staff will be on site to assist during the installation. A loan agreement regarding the artwork will be established at the onset of selection. Pittsburgh International Airport reserves the right to make final decisions regarding all artwork display.

2. Selection:

Each proposal will be evaluated by the Arts & Culture Manager for responsiveness to:

a) Quality of work presented in the images; with indication of the ability to install high-caliber, world-class artwork;

b) Responsiveness of artwork to the letter of interest; and

c) Previous experience with the installation of artwork in the public realm.

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

3. Award and Contract

After the team has received all qualifications and selects the awardees, the Arts and Culture Manager will work with the selected artist or collaborative, to curate a body of their work for installation. Each awarded project will receive a $1,500 honorarium for the installation period.

4. Details of Currently Available Artwork Locations

#1 Landside Ticketing Art Case - 7’ 9” H x 47’ 3” W x 2’ 7 ¾” D

#2 Landside Transit Art Cases (6) - 78” H x 34” W x 34” D

#3 Airside Art Case in Concourse C - 37.5” H x 97” W x 18” D

This opportunity will close after 300 submissions have been received.

PIT Performing Arts Application for 2024-25 Season

a. Overview
The Allegheny County Airport Authority (ACAA) is soliciting qualifications from performing artists and performing arts groups to perform during the 2024-25 season at Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT). Performing arts of all disciplines are encouraged to apply, including all genres of music, dance, and theater.
Performances last two hours (with one break), and typically begin at 3:00 pm on Thursdays. Performance locations include PIT’s center core stage in the airside terminal (post security checkpoint), and on the ticketing level of the landside terminal (pre-security checkpoint). Performances are compensated at a rate of $150/hour (solo artists) and $200/hour (groups of 2 to 5 people) and $ 250/hour for 5 or more performers.
b. Program Description    
Established in 2015, The PIT Performing Arts Series is part of the Art in the Airport program, which aims to enhance the atmosphere of the facilities for visitors and staff by presenting visual, performing and public art of the highest quality. For visitors that might not have a chance to experience the vibrant performing arts community that exists in our region, PIT serves as a portal to our cultural amenities.

As part of ACAA’s commitment to artistic excellence and quality, this program provides performing artists with a competitive fee, a diverse international audience, and world-class facilities and sound equipment that include a large elevated stage, truss lighting, monitors, subwoofers, head speakers, a mixing board, music stands, microphones and stands, and all related cords. Also available is a Bergmann Heritage Series baby grand piano located at the airport’s landside terminal venue for acoustic sets.

c. Eligibility and Selection:
ACAA is interested in applicants who can perform two hours’ worth of original, high-quality content, and can represent our region’s robust and diverse performing arts community in a creative, professional, and family-friendly manner to a diverse audience. Eligible disciplines include all categories and genres of music, dance, theater, and performance-based art, including spoken word, puppetry, gymnastics, carnival and circus arts, and magic and illusion.  

Applications will be reviewed by the Arts and Culture Department.
Selections will be based on the following criteria:  

  • Professionalism and ability to perform in a family-friendly atmosphere
  • Skillfulness and originality
  • Willingness and ability to engage an international audience
  • Ability to perform in varying conditions and settings
  • Ability to perform a mix of cover songs and original compositions. 
  • Quality and completeness of application materials

All performers and affiliated personnel will be subject to a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security background check Anyone deemed unable to proceed through the security checkpoint will be unable to perform. TSA’s decision is final and neither the Allegheny County Airport Authority nor the Office of Public Art can appeal TSA's decision.

d. How to Apply:
Applications will only be accepted electronically through the electronic form below. If you are in several projects, you can submit multiple applications.
Required materials:

  1. Contact information for the applying group/artist, as well as information for the lead contact. 
  2. Group/artist website and social media.
  3. A one-page letter describing the group/artist’s work, why the applicant is a good fit to perform at the airport, and any relevant accomplishments and unique experiences. 
  4. One image that best represent the group/artist’s work  
  5. One video file or URL links to third-party streaming sites (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.)  that best represents the group/artist’s work. 
  6. One audio file or URL links to third party streaming sites (Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Youtube, etc...) that best represents the group/artist's work. 

If you have any questions, or issues about the application process, please contact Christiane Leach at CLeach@flypittsburgh.com
Please do not contact the Pittsburgh International Airport about this opportunity. 

Pittsburgh International Airport