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

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.