This contemporary art museum exhibits large-scale installation art that are created on-site by artists. The museum was established in 1977, and has expanded its reach since then by purchasing and renovating nine other buildings in Pittsburgh that have become artist residences, exhibition galleries, and an art garden. About 38,000 visitors come to the museum each year.

While the museum has rotating special exhibitions, it has 16 permanent exhibitions that are always on view. These include installation pieces by the artists James Turrell, Yayoi Kusama, Greer Lankton, Bill Woodrow and William Anastasi. Past special exhibitions have included work by sculptor Thaddeus Mosley; new installations of Indian art; and a group show of small, site-specific works.

The museum also has a Limited Artist Edition program, where artists can create smaller works based on large installations for public display that remain on view for a longer period of time. Artists have extended their installations by documenting the process with photographs, prints, and small objects.