OPA hosts a variety of different educational trainings for artists who are interested in working in the public realm.
Public Art Training for Artists
Offerings include full-day intensive sessions, hands-on workshops, and visits to fabricators. Past and current offerings include:
Winter Intensive: Demystifying the Public Art Application Process
This is a three part series that takes an in-depth look at the different steps in applying for public art commissions. Artists at any stage of their practice will gain a better understanding of the process and learn how to prepare stronger applications.
The series features speakers from the Office of Public Art as well as arts professionals from the field and builds upon the information that is covered in Public Art Training Camp. However, prior participation in Public Art Training Camp is not required.
Public Art Training Camp
Public Art Training Camp is a series of six virtual, weekly training sessions for both emerging and mid-career artists interested in working in the public realm. Sessions will feature national and local speakers and cover a range of public art topics, including national trends in public art, finding and applying for opportunities, contracts & agreements, insurance for artists & organizations, project budgets, and permits and permissions.
Public Art 101
Since 2007, OPA has hosted Public Art 101, a one-day, intensive training session for artists interested in working in the public realm. During Public Art 101, participants learn from local and national speakers about the history of, and how to make, public art. Topics have included: applying for public art opportunities, budgets and contracts, design tools, and presentations by artists to share their firsthand experiences working in the public realm.
Public Art 101 is enriched by the variety of local and national speakers that are able to provide perspective in regard to the public art process. Past presenters have included: Lucas Cowan, public art curator for the Rose Kennedy Greenway; Stacy Levy, artist; Alisha Wormsley, artist; Clayton Merrell, artist; Brandi Reddick, public arts administrator; Kendall Henry, New York City-based artist and curator; Norie Sato, artist; Charlotte Cohen, Brooklyn Arts Council; and OPA staff.
As part of Public Art 101, OPA hosts Portfolio Reviews. Portfolio Reviews occur the day before Public Art 101 and encourage Pittsburgh-based artists to register for 20-minute sessions with portfolio reviewers to show their work and receive personal feedback.
Public Art 201
In addition to Public Art 101, OPA offers Public Art 201. Public Art 201 occurs 2 to 3 times a year, and is a one-to-two hour workshop for artists to get an in-depth look into a specific part of the public art process featured during Public Art 101. Past Public Art 201s have provided artists the opportunity to visit fabricators and to receive one-on-one training during small design workshops to help artists learn more about design tools and receive feedback on proposals.
Upcoming Sessions
