Carnegie International facts for kids

The Carnegie International is a big art show that happens in Pittsburgh, USA. It features modern art from artists all over the world. This famous exhibition started way back on November 5, 1896.

A very rich businessman named Andrew Carnegie created it. He wanted to teach and inspire people through art. He also hoped it would help countries understand each other better. Carnegie also wanted the show to help the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh collect new and exciting artworks.

History of the Show

The Carnegie International began in 1896. Back then, it was called the Annual Exhibition. For a long time, it mostly showed paintings.

From 1955 to 1970, the show happened every three years instead of every year. Between 1961 and 1967, it was known as the Pittsburgh International Exhibition of Contemporary Painting and Sculpture.

At first, the museum director, John W. Beatty, chose all the art himself. Later, groups of art experts from other countries helped choose the artworks. Sometimes, artists were asked directly to send their art. Other times, artists had to send their work to a committee to be chosen.

There were a few times the show didn't happen. In 1902, it was a look back at famous artworks. In 1906, the museum was being made bigger, so there was no show. Also, there was a five-year break from 1915 to 1919 because of World War I.

After 1970, the show took a break because it cost too much money. Also, the museum was building a new part called the Sarah Scaife Gallery. When it returned in 1977 and 1979, it was called the International Series. During these years, it focused on just one artist at a time, like Pierre Alechinsky, Willem de Kooning, and Eduardo Chillida.

In 1982, the show came back as the Carnegie International. It started happening every three to five years again. Today, the Carnegie International is the second oldest international art show in the world. Only the Venice Biennale in Italy is older.

Timeline of the Carnegie International

Early Years: 1896–1914

The Carnegie Institute held its "annual exhibition" for eighteen years. The only year it didn't happen was 1906, because the museum was being built bigger.

Mid-Century: 1920–1950

Between 1920 and 1950, the Carnegie Institute held nineteen international shows. There was a break during World War II when Europe was rebuilding.

The second director, Homer Saint-Gaudens, made a new system. He traveled to Europe to find promising artworks. Art experts still judged the art, but museum directors also joined the judging team. Saint-Gaudens also started showing artworks grouped by country. In 1924, he added the "Popular Prize," which the public voted on. He retired after the 1950 show.

Modern Era: 1951–1969

Between 1952 and 1969, the Institute held the international show six times. Gordon Bailey Washburn, a director, continued to use foreign advisors. However, he stopped organizing the art by country. He wanted the Carnegie International to be special. It was one of the only big art shows chosen by just one person. It was seen as "one man’s view of contemporary art."

In 1958, an assistant director organized a special show. It included 95 paintings from past exhibitions. Famous artists like Marcel Duchamp also helped judge the art that year.

The shows in 1964 and 1967 were organized by Gustave Von Groschwitz. He worked with art experts from Europe. Von Groschwitz went back to showing art by country. He also changed the prizes. Instead of numbered prizes, he gave out six equal awards. He also bought several artworks for the museum's collection.

New Formats: 1970–1979

The shows in 1970, 1977, and 1979 were organized by Leon Arkus. For the 1970 show, he stopped giving out prizes. In 1977 and 1979, he changed the show to focus on just one artist. For example, the 1977 show was all about Pierre Alechinsky. The 1979 show featured both Eduardo Chillida and Willem de Kooning. Each of these artists received a large prize of $50,000.

Recent Years: 1980–Present

There were three international shows in the 1980s. Since 1982, the show has continued its survey format. This means it shows a wide range of contemporary art.

Curators and museum directors have organized the shows. They often get advice from other curators, art critics, and artists. These advisors also help choose the prize winners.

See also

• Carnegie Prize List of first prize winners at the exhibition.