Divya Rao Heffley, PhD

Associate Director
divya@shiftworkspgh.org
Office: 412.336.8182 ex. 102
Direct: 412.806.0242

Divya Rao Heffley is an arts professional with over twenty years of experience in public art, museums, art and architectural history, and programming. As an Indian immigrant and member of a multicultural family, she is a committed advocate of equity in arts and culture and beyond.

As the Associate Director for Shiftworks Community + Public Arts, Divya works with artists and communities on temporary public art commissions and residencies that address a range of contemporary issues, seeking to foster social justice and cultural equity in public spaces.

Prior to joining Shiftworks, Divya managed the Hillman Photography Initiative at Carnegie Museum of Art from 2013-18. She has been a guest critic for the Carnegie Mellon University School of Art MFA Program and served on regional and national juries and panels for artist selections, grants, and portfolio reviews.

Divya currently serves on the Board of Directors of both UpstreamPgh and RealTime Arts, and on the Advisory Committee for the Arts Education Collaborative. She is on the Learning and Leadership Committee for Racial Equity in Arts Funding in Greater Pittsburgh and has previously served on the Diversity Task Force at Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh and the Inclusion Working Group at Carnegie Museum of Art.

Divya holds a PhD in the History of Art and Architecture from Brown University and a BA in the History of Art from Yale University. She is a recipient of the Carter Manny Award from the Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts.

She grew up in Pittsburgh and has three children as well as a dedicated practice in martial arts.

Image credits

Photo by Ethan Heffley