Free Artist Residencies in Pittsburgh

BOOM Universe Residency

Pittsburgh, United States

BOOM Universe Residency at Alloy Studios by BOOM Concepts supports Black, Brown, Queer, and Femme artists with live/work housing, stipends, studio space, mentorship, and Pittsburgh art ecosystem connections. Quarterly program for creative entrepreneurs.

Mattress Factory

Pittsburgh, United States

The Mattress Factory is a contemporary art museum and international artist residency program in Pittsburgh's Northside, founded in 1977, where artists live and work on-site to create site-specific installations for solo exhibitions. It supports artists of any medium worldwide through open calls, providing honorarium, production budget, transportation, accommodation, per diem, and fabrication support during residencies that culminate in museum shows. Recent programs include artists like Marc Vilanova and Vivian Caccuri with stays extending up to a year or more.

Pedantic

Pittsburgh, United States

Pedantic Arts Residency is a four-week program that provides artists, curators, and writers with space and time for creative exploration and cross-disciplinary dialogue. The residency runs twice a year, in January and June, and is located in Pittsburgh’s thriving Garfield neighborhood within the Penn Avenue Arts and Commercial District. Residents are housed in the Pedantic Apartment, which features three bedrooms (one ADA accessible), two full bathrooms, a kitchen, a living area, and a rooftop deck. The residency emphasizes process over production, encouraging immersion in Pittsburgh’s vibrant arts scene through weekly events like private dinners, studio visits, and museum tours. Participants are connected with a local guide from a similar field to help foster meaningful professional relationships in the city. The program provides a $2,000 honorarium, and residents are not required to produce a final deliverable. The environment fosters community, inspiration, and a deeper understanding of artistic practice.