The development of the Artists Image Resource began in 1994 with a plan to create a “working studio” in Pittsburgh. The space would provide a printmaking studio, an exhibition venue and an educational printmaking and projects resource for Pittsburgh artists.

In 1996, the Mattress Factory Museum agreed to sponsor a project initiated by the founding members of AIR. The Howard Heinz Endowments provided partial funding for the project, and AIR’s founders executed seven print projects with area artists and mounted an exhibition of the work. Artists Image Resource was incorporated as a non-profit Pennsylvania corporation and received its 501(c)3 tax status in July 1998.

Since 1996, AIR has initiated new printwork with numerous professional artists and has developed and/or been involved in numerous educational programs with a number of local organizations. AIR has mounted many exhibitions of contemporary printwork, has administered a number of for-credit internships with area universities and has compiled a significant educational archive of printwork.