International Open Call for artists-in-residence
Mattress Factory, Pittburgh, PA, US
Deadline: 08.02.2024

Mattress Factory is a leading contemporary art museum and international residency program in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that supports artists while they create site-specific artwork.

Mattress Factory was founded in 1977, by artists, to support artists working in residence to create site-specific installations. Since then, the museum has presented and commissioned new works by more than 750 artists. The museum supports established and emerging artists through a residency program that provides guidance, resources and opportunities to create artwork that is unconventional, challenging and thought-provoking. Mattress Factory's flexibility and inventiveness allows artists to respond to developments in technology, explore audience interaction, and challenge traditional artistic ideals and practice.

The unparalleled support that artists receive from Mattress Factory, while working in residence, often results in the production of extraordinary artwork that propels the artist’s career and significantly impacts the field of contemporary art. Mattress Factory exhibitions present new works by critically-acclaimed regional, national and international artists.

The following support is provided to all artists in residence:

• Artist honorarium  
• Production and materials budget  
• Transportation to and from Pittsburgh  
• Accommodation in Mattress Factory residence 
• Per diem during on-site installation  
• Fabrication and production support  

Mattress Factory is pleased to announce our International Open Call for artists-in-residence. Each artist will produce a solo exhibition of new work at the museum.  

Submissions accepted from January 4 until February 8, 2024. 

Mattress Factory, a 'By Artists, For Artists' contemporary art museum, is excited to announce International Open Call. This opportunity is free and open to artists of any medium from anywhere in the world. A distinguished panel of Mattress Factory alumni artists will jury this call, continuing our commitment to centering artist voices. The Artist Review Panel consists of John Rubin, Harrison Kinnane Smith, and Julie Schenkelberg. The panel will review submissions and select artists for residencies and solo exhibitions at Mattress Factory in 2025 and 2026.

Mattress Factory alumni artists know better than anyone what our resources and capacity can accomplish and how special our community is. The panel offers a perspective unlike any other – one that is deeply familiar with the museum, engaged in many aspects of the contemporary art field, and invested in pushing our exhibitions program in new directions. 

During their residency, artists are free to explore wherever their process leads them while they live and work on Pittsburgh’s Northside. Mattress Factory supports each artist’s process from development through production, installation, and exhibition by providing the following: 

• Artist honorarium  
• Production and materials budget  
• Transportation to and from Pittsburgh  
• Accommodation in Mattress Factory residence 
• Per diem during on-site installation  
• Fabrication and production support  

Eligibility and submissions 
International Open Call is open to artists of any medium from anywhere in the world. Artists are invited to submit a portfolio of work and supporting documentation, which will be juried by the Artist Review Panel. 

• A 2-page CV 
• Short bio (200 words) 
• Artist Statement (200 words)  
• Up to 10 media files for consideration 
• Do not include project proposals 

Submissions close February 8th, 2024 at 11:59 PM, EST. 

Answers to frequently asked questions:

- There is no fee to apply.
- Residencies and exhibitions will be scheduled in 2025/26 in conversation with the artists. 
- Mattress Factory is only accepting submissions via Submittable. If you are having technical problems, please use Submittable’s online help system.
- Collaborative artists should submit examples of past work that were completed as a team. We cannot evaluate the merits of potential collaborators who have not worked together previously.
- Concentrate on providing clear and concise images of your work. Images are the primary way we review materials and are required. 

More information: https://mattress.org/events/2024-international-open-call/