our task, regarding creativity, is to help children climb their own mountains, as high as possible. No one can do more.
Loris Malaguzzi

creator and developer of the Reggio Emilia Approach

tough art exhibit

Tough Art is an annual exhibit started in 2007 featuring interactive artwork created by artists during a summer residency at the Children’s Museum. The program challenges artists to design durable, engaging pieces that withstand interaction from children, emphasizing hands-on prototyping and direct visitor impact.

Questions on Tough Art? Contact Lacey Murray, Associate Director of Creative Experiences, submissions@pittsburghkids.org

the 2025 Tough Artists have been selected!

meet the artists

The 2024 Tough Artists’ pieces can be seen in MuseumLab next door to the Children’s Museum

learn more 

 more on Tough Art

past tough artists

tough art @ home

Duing the COVID pandemic, we transitioned our Tough Art residency to a virtual experience in Summer 2020. It yielded such interesting work that we continued it in 2021.

Selected artists created art-making activities related to and inspired by their artwork/process for people to engage with at home or wherever they might be.

tough art on display in the children's museum

Shy Lights

Artist(s): Charles Sowers, 2015

Residency: Across from the Kindness Gallery

An Obscured Neutral Moment #1

Artist(s): Rick Gribenas, 2008

Residency: Tunnel to the Art Studio

Reach

Artist(s): Scott Garner, 2013

Residency: Across from the Garage

Temperamental Stairs

Artist(s): Agnes Bolt & Arthur Jones, 2010

Residency: Stairs to second floor

Lake Light

Artist(s): Isaac Levine, 2018

Residency: Buhl hallway

tough art on display at museumlab

Compound Ringship

Artist(s): Ryder Henry, 2019

Residency: MuseumLab lobby

Mechanical Masterpieces

Artist(s): Neil Mendoza, 2018

Residency: Tech Lab