The Future of Art History: Carnegie Internationals in Context
MEMBERS EVENT
Virtual via Zoom
Tuesday, November 10, 2026
6:30–7:30 p.m.
The term “contemporary art” was coined in the mid-20th century to describe the art of our moment or recent past. However, since 1896, Carnegie Museum of Art has exhibited and collected the art of our moment, making it one of the oldest museums in the country dedicated to “contemporary art.” But what does that mean, and how did the longest-running survey of international art come to be in Pittsburgh?
During this virtual lecture, explore how the Carnegie International, now in its 59th iteration, has informed and transformed Carnegie Museum of Art’s collection and building in remarkable ways. Gain a deeper understanding of the ground-breaking art and artists who have made lasting impacts and discover how the exhibition moved from a jury system to embracing curatorial vision.
Installation view of The 1961 Pittsburgh International Exhibition of Contemporary Painting and Sculpture, 1961, Carnegie Museum of Art
