Frequently Asked Questions
What are the artist eligibility requirements?
In order to join the registry, artists must be full-time residents of Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Mercer, Lawrence, Somerset, Venango, Washington, or Westmoreland counties. Artists of all disciplines and at all career levels, from emerging to professional, are welcome.
I’m not an artist; can I still use the registry?
Yes. You can use the registry to find artists in two ways. You can create a user account in order to search for and save your favorite artists, or you may browse the registry without creating an account. Without an account, you will be able to search for artists, but you will not be able to save favorites.
Can I join the registry if I own or represent a venue?
This is the perfect place for you to find artists to feature in your venue. Log in and make a profile to save your favorites using the My Collections feature. The Pittsburgh Artist Registry is only open to artists. But don’t feel left out. Pittsburgh Art Places is where you can make a profile for your venue.
Venues can create a user account to search for artists. Select ‘I am looking for an artist’ on the registration page to create an account.
Can one artist be listed as an individual, group, as well as a collaborative?
If you are an individual artist as well as part of a group or collaborative, then you would be required to create different profiles on the registry – one as an individual artist with examples of your individual work and another as a group with examples of the group’s work.
What if I am a literary artist or musician and do not have any images?
All members of the registry must upload at least one image. We suggest literary artists, musicians, or other non-visual artists include visual representations of their work, such as the cover of their book, an author photo, or a photo of a performance. As a user searches the database, a thumbnail image will appear along with contact information. It’s worth it to add an image because profiles without images have fewer visitors.
Are profile applications reviewed?
All applications to the registry go live on the website immediately upon completion of the application. Following the application process, a staff member of the Office of Public Art will review all applications to determine that all applicant information was included in the application process, that the support materials are consistent with the descriptions provided, and to ensure that the submissions are compatible with the purpose of the registry. Questions about applications will be directed to artists from staff via email.
Who can use the Pittsburgh Artist Registry?
The registry is an on-line resource that is open and free to the public. They key audiences are arts organizations, arts presenters, curators, designers, artists, architects, developers, community groups, and businesses. Please review our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy before using the registry.
How can I contact an artist that I’ve found on the registry?
You must contact the artist directly given the contact information that they have provided on their profile. Administrators of the Pittsburgh Artist Registry do not facilitate communications to any artists.
Is there a fee to use the registry?
There is no cost to artists to join the registry and no cost to browse the registry. However, the registry is not free to produce; we would love your support! Donate here!
How does an artist create a registry profile?
There are five steps to making a registry profile. Click here for more detailed instructions. Click here for tips about how to make a great profile.
1. Create an account
2. Complete the application form
3. Input bio and upload resume
4. Upload work samples
5. Update your profile when you create new work
6. Log in annually to maintain an active profile. Users that do not annually log in will be removed.
What media players are needed for viewing work samples?
Windows Media Player 7.1 or higher
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download/default.asp
QuickTime 6.5 or higher
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/version.html
RealPlayer 10 or higher
http://www.real.com/player/index.html?src=downloadr
Flash Player
http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/
What Kind of Files Can I Upload?
Acceptable file types are outlined on the Worksample tab. In summary:
Images: All images will be resized to 170 pixels x 130 pixels and cropped automatically to fit into a thumbnail view. You may upload image files up to 1 MB.
Audio Files: You may upload audio samples up to 10 MB in the following formats: .wav, .mp3, .mov, or .aif. Please be aware that the person listening to these audio files must have the correct plugin in order to hear them. Please be aware that sound may be reduced to mono without reduction of quality. You may also include links to audio host sites.
Video Files: You may upload video files up to 10 mb in the following formats: .mp4, .ogv, .avi, .flv, .wmv, or .webm. Please be aware that the viewer of these videos must have the correct plugin in order to see them. All videos should be 320 wide by 240 high and be formatted to run at 15 frames per second. You may also upload links to video host sites.
Writing Samples: Literary or text-based sample files may be uploaded up to 1 MB in size in the following formats: .docx, .doc, .txt. pdf.
How do I contact the Pittsburgh Artist Registry?
You may contact the Pittsburgh Artist Registry by following this link.
How do I look out for scams regarding art sales?
Unfortunately, artists nationwide are being targeted in complicated scams regarding the purchase of their artwork. If you receive any suspicious emails related to someone interested in purchasing your artwork, requesting that you mail artwork, or requesting financial information from you, please contact us immediately by clicking here.
What does a suspicious email look like? As scams are becoming more complicated, the methods by which scammers are contacting their intended victims are becoming more difficult to recognize. Known common scams include the following:
- Potential buyers ask artists to ship their artwork before payment is received.
- Targeted artists are sent a check greater than the amount of their artwork, and asked to return the remainder of the payment. Banks then hold the artist responsible for a check that is later discovered to bounce.
- Potential buyers ask for financial information from artists to 'wire payment'
These are only a few of the many scams that have been directed at artists, and new scams are being developed every day. Please click here to check out this Craigslist post about how to avoid scammers. Click here for even more information about how to protect yourself from artscams.com. Always use your judgment when dealing with galleries or buyers that you have not met in person or do not present you with complete contact information.
If you believe that you have been a victim of a scam, you can report it to the following authorities:
Internet Fraud Complaint Center
FTC Complaint Center