Culture Forward, a $5 million grant initiative by The Svane Family Foundation, supports experimental and imaginative arts and culture projects that bring audiences to Downtown San Francisco.
Since launching in January 2025, Culture Forward has distributed $3M+ to 60 cultural projects in downtown neighborhoods.

The Henry Moore Institute, a world-recognized center for the study of sculpture, offers grants to enable artists and researchers to develop their work. Fellowships allow researchers to spend a month using institute facilities in Leeds and include accommodation, travel and subsistence expenses. The grants support growth and development of sculpture across historical, modern and contemporary registers. Available to sculpture historians, academics and conservators who are researching and publishing on sculpture conservation, production, history and/or interpretation, to support research costs, travel, photography and archival access. They cannot accept applications which are to inform or develop an artist’s own work, and/or professional practice.

The Corsicana Artist and Writer Residency provides 2-month fully-funded studio residencies at 100 West, an 11,000 square-foot former Odd Fellows lodge in historic downtown Corsicana, Texas. Artists receive private 2,400 square-foot studios with accommodations, wood shop access, introductions to Dallas-Fort Worth cultural networks, and culminates with Open Studios. The program hosts 6 artists and 3 writers annually in three terms. Residents participate in community engagement and educational programming.

Winter: January 4 – February 23
Spring: March 1 – April 27
Fall: October 11 – December 7

Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts awards up to seventy-eight juried residencies per year to composers, writers, visual and interdisciplinary artists from across the country and around the world. Residencies are 2 to 8 weeks in length, and are self-directed. Each resident receives housing, a private studio, and a $175 weekly food stipend.

The Contact Darkroom residency is a resource-based program offering artists 12 hours a day access to fully equipped colour and black-and-white darkrooms, a dedicated workshop room, and an open gallery space. It provides one-week to one-month self-directed photographic residencies designed to support immersive, hands-on making.

The program is open to professional visual, literary, and performance artists: painters, writers, musicians, architects, filmmakers, and choreographers… any artist who needs a place to focus. However, because of the property’s limitations and proximity to neighbors, this is not a place that can accommodate loud or terribly messy processes, such as welding or blacksmithing. Work that is predominantly conceptual, that must be explained in order to attract a viewer, may not be met with as much enthusiasm by their jurists. In addition, because they ask their residents to interact with the public through one workshop and one final event, they welcome artists who desire to connect with an audience in these ways.

This opportunity invites regional artists to create site-responsive, three-dimensional or immersive public art installations for two distinctive downtown gallery spaces that are visible to the public around the clock. Selected artists receive a stipend to support the creation of new work or the installation of existing pieces, and their work is publicized through city press releases, a gallery brochure, and the city website. The program supports artists at all career stages seeking a unique, highly visible location to activate downtown Auburn with innovative, community-engaging artwork.

Shifting into new realities is a special short-term residency for creators and visionaries of tomorrow reaching beyond the familiar and investigating what may emerge next. Artificial intelligence, expanded consciousness, human transformation, singularity, future societies and realities not yet named form an open field for creative research. The transdisciplinary program brings imagination, inquiry and experimentation together across art, science, design, technology, philosophy and unconventional forms of knowledge.

Rumriver Art Center is calling for artwork submissions that investigate liminality. “Liminal is a word for the in-between. It describes states, times, spaces, etc., that exist at a point of change—a metaphorical threshold…” (Merriam Webster Dictionary). Artists are encouraged to explore the strangeness in moments of change.

Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery announces its 34th “Solo Art Series” Online Art Competition. 4 Solo Exhibitions & 8 Artist Showcases will be awarded.

There is no theme for this solo art competition so any subject matter and any media are acceptable for consideration. Both 2D & 3D artists (including photography & digital arts) are invited to submit their best representational and/or abstract art.

Extensive worldwide publicity & promotion, hundreds of press releases for winning artists.

The Annual Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, one of America’s most attended and respected art shows, is accepting artist applications. Each year, up to 235 artists are selected through a juried process to exhibit their work for art enthusiasts and vie for at least $92,000 in award money, including the $15,000 Raymond James Best of Show Award. The 57th Festival will be held at the Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, Tampa, Florida.

This exhibition celebrates the surreal, inviting artists to explore worlds where reality bends, logic dissolves, and the unexpected becomes possible. Strange Weather serves as a metaphor for moments of transformation, uncertainty, and the uncanny rather than literal atmospheric conditions. Artists are encouraged to create work that embraces dreamlike imagery, psychological landscapes, improbable juxtapositions, and the strange beauty of the impossible. This juried exhibition is open to all artists and all media. Selected works will be exhibited at Art Center Sarasota (ACS). The juror will review all required information except the artist’s name and artwork price. Selections are made on artistic merit and relevance to the exhibition theme. To support best gallery practices, ACS requires the following rules and guidelines to help present your work at its best.

A permanent, rural artist residency program that welcomes creatives from around the world to live and work in the Mediterranean countryside. It offers artists a chance to focus on their projects while connecting with nature, local communities, and traditional Sardinian life. The program includes curatorial assistance and opportunities for local exchange

Wayne Art Center seeks submissions for CraftForms 2026, the 31st International Juried Exhibition of Contemporary Fine Craft, in the following mediums: basketry, ceramics, fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, metal, mixed media, paper, wearable art, and wood. Works created utilizing CAD/CAM technologies and 3D printing tools are also eligible. Selected works will be on display in the Davenport Gallery of Wayne Art Center in Wayne, Pennsylvania from December 5, 2026 through January 23, 2027.

ArtEvol 2026: A View from Everywhere is London Art Collective's sixth international group exhibition, at Saatchi Gallery, London. The title begins with a contradiction: no one can see from everywhere. Rather than seeking a single, universal viewpoint, it places different positions alongside one another, forming a view that belongs to no one person or place. Shown salon-style, works appear in close proximity, creating unexpected connections across geography, medium and subject. Curated by Nelson Qin, it asks what becomes visible when many partial views are brought together.

A customized residency focused specifically on figure sculpting in clay. It is designed to support artists through experimentation, research, skill development, or the production of completed works. The studio provides workspaces, electric kilns, and pottery wheels.

MacDowell is a prestigious artist residency program located in rural Peterborough, New Hampshire. The program provides artists with ideal working conditions including exclusive studio use, accommodations, and prepared meals in a supportive environment. MacDowell has been supporting artists since 1907 with deep respect for creative work and offers comprehensive facilities including specialized studios and equipment.

International platform dedicated to painting and two-dimensional artistic research. The 20th edition welcomes painters, illustrators, printmakers and traditional 2D artists from all over the world. Selected artists participate in the annual group exhibition at Palazzo Merulana, Rome, one of the city's most significant cultural venues. Artists can compete for cash prizes, solo exhibition opportunities, artist residencies, and editorial features including catalogue publication.

A juried group photo show on black and white photography at Black Box Gallery.

For more info: https://blackboxgallery.com

HUGE Gallery London 2026 — Open Call for Artists

HUGE Gallery is excited to announce an Open Call for Artists for its 2026 London edition, bringing together a vibrant and diverse community of artists and creatives for three days of contemporary art, discovery and connection.

They are inviting artists from all disciplines, backgrounds and creative practices to showcase their work in front of an engaged audience of art lovers, collectors, curators and fellow creatives.

Whether you work in painting, photography, sculpture, illustration, mixed media, digital art, textiles, installation, or another creative discipline, HUGE Gallery London 2026 is an opportunity to share your vision, tell your story and connect with a wider creative community.

The Basil Sellers Art Prize is a major national Australian art prize, celebrating artistic excellence in 2D works across painting, drawing and printmaking. This acquisitive biennial prize supports artists at all stages of their careers, with a structure grounded in care, accessibility and generosity.

The artists considered for these fellowships may work in a variety of visual art media, including traditional and new media. The program is aimed at visual artists who can present their work in a gallery context. Eligible applicants must be in the early stages of their careers and have not yet attained professional acknowledgment commensurate with the quality of their work. An independent jury of three arts professionals awards four grants of $10,000 each to early-career Minnesota artists. Fellowships may be used to purchase materials, cover the production costs of new artwork, and supplement living or travel costs.

Point of Hue invites artists from across the country to explore the power, emotion, and endless possibilities of color. Bold and vibrant or subtle and restrained, hue has the ability to shape mood, tell stories, and color the way people see the world.

Whether abstract, realism, or anything in between, all genres and mediums are welcome. Show them how you use color to express your artistic style….and where point of hue leads you!

"The Dark Side of Art" explores how artists use macabre, gothic, and unsettling themes to confront human fears, psychological pain, and societal taboos. It bridges the gap between inner chaos and visual expression, revealing uncomfortable truths about human nature. Imagery in your artwork can include the macabre and gothic, subconscious and trauma, the devil and evil, or a personal emotional struggle. Imagery in your artwork can include the macabre and gothic, subconscious and trauma, the devil and evil, or a personal emotional struggle. All interpretations of the theme are welcome.

The exhibition reception on Saturday, October 10th will be a Halloween theme, and a “Day of the Dead” celebration with a costume contest will be held on Sunday, November 1st.

The INTERIOR ART PRIZE 2026 is now in its third year. The initiative of Weswal Gallery, a leading long established (1981) regional NSW gallery and sponsored by local business’s, the IAP is a non-acquisitive prize open to citizens and permanent residents of Australia, over the age of 18. Artists are invited to submit works in categories of painting, drawing, printmaking, textiles, sculpture, ceramics and glass. Artists are invited to submit exceptional work exploring ‘Interiors’—focusing on physical architectures, domestic sanctuaries, and the beauty of lived-in spaces. This juried exhibition seeks bold, refined artistic voices. Alongside the main cash prize, a People’s Choice Award will celebrate community impact. The winner will be offered the opportunity to exhibit at Weswal as well as receive a cash prize of $4000. A People’s Choice Award will be voted on by visitors to the exhibition of finalists. The finalist’s exhibition will open on 3 October, closing on 7 November 2026, at Weswal Gallery, Tamworth.

The Dobell Drawing Prize is Australia’s leading prize for drawing, and an unparalleled celebration of technique, innovation and expanded practice. Presented at the National Art School in partnership with the Sir William Dobell Art Foundation, this biennial exhibition continues to highlight the enduring relevance and changing role of drawing within contemporary art practice. The winner will receive a $30,000 acquisitive prize, with the winning work entering the National Art School significant collection, built over the past 120 years. The judges will individually review each digital entry before convening as a panel in November 2026 to select approximately 50 finalists. The winner will be selected by the panel of judges from the finalists’ exhibition at the National Art School Gallery in April 2027.

Art Omi: Artists invites artists, critics, and curators from around the world - representing a wide diversity of artistic styles and practices - to gather in rural New York to experiment, collaborate, and share ideas. Concentrated time for creative work is balanced with the stimulation of cultural exchange and critical appraisal. Art Omi: Artists Residency nurtures deep creative and professional connections in a vibrant social setting.

Maintained by the Edward F. Albee Foundation, this Winter/Spring residency serves writers and visual artists from all walks of life by providing a secluded, peaceful environment ("The Barn") to work without disturbance. The ADA-accessible space accommodates up to four creative persons at a time in a simple, communal setting. There is no fee of any kind. From application through residency, there is no cost imposed on the artist.

Selection is based entirely on talent and need. Applicants must provide an up-to-date resume, contact information for two professional references, an artist statement outlining the need for the residency, a project description, and a work sample.

The Jentel Artist Residency offers dedicated individuals a supportive environment to further their creative development. Nestled in the foothills of the Bighorn mountains, artists, writers, and composers experience unfettered time to allow for thoughtful reflection and meditation on the creative process.

"The Hambidge Center is situated on 600 forested acres in the mountains of north Georgia and offers miles of nature trails, meadows, waterfalls, a swimming hole and an abundance of wildflowers.

The oldest residency program in the Southeast, Hambidge provides a self-directed program that honors the creative process and trusts individuals to know what they need to cultivate their talent, whether it’s to work and produce, to think, to experiment or to rejuvenate. Residents’ time is their own; there are no workshops, critiques, nor required activities.

Each resident is given their own private studio which provides work and living space with a bathroom and full kitchen. The studios are designed to protect residents’ time, space and solitude.

Resident groups are intentionally kept small enough (8-10 people) to gather around the dinner table each evening, Tuesday through Friday, for delicious vegetarian meals prepared by our chef. These communal meals are an essential part of the Hambidge residency experience. Serious topics are discussed (and light-hearted ones, too), experiences are shared, and encouragement is given. Many a collaboration and life-long friendship have begun at the Hambidge dinner table."

“Queer” is used today as both a descriptor of identity and a verb conjuring subversion. Both represent a challenge, whether to normative structures or conventional intimacies. This exhibition, with a working title, Queering Wood Craft, will highlight the work of queer-identified makers working in wood, and be both exploration and celebration of the dynamic intersections between contemporary work in wood and the multiple meanings of queer. Artist participants will explore the history of this craft through a queer lens, making one visible to themselves and rendering a more complex understanding of queer lives, labor, and communal and familial relationships. Integral to humanity’s experience for centuries and across continents, woodworking has an essential role that is distinct and multifaceted. They invite artists and makers who work in wood—building furniture, turning, carving, or otherwise using wood as the primary material in their work—to submit their work for consideration. The exhibition will take place at the Museum for Art in Wood from late May-late July 2027.

The Dezi Art Prize is a global, juried art grant for visual artists, open worldwide in any medium, painting, photography, film, design, animation, sculpture, and more. Two winners each receive a $1,000 unrestricted grant (the money is theirs to use as they wish), a full profile across the Dezi platform, and career consultation. Ten finalists are named on the site as part of their inaugural cohort. Entries are scored on artistic merit by an independent jury of 5 curators and artists.

☀️ SUMMER 2026 OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS — Innovate Grant is thrilled to introduce their newly increased award amounts of $1,800.00.

Innovate Grant awards (2) $1,800.00 grants each quarter, to one Visual Artist and one Photographer. In addition, (18) honorable mentions (9 in art and 9 in photo), will be featured on their website and join a growing community of vibrant and talented artists. Innovate Grant's commitment extends beyond the grant cycle by promoting the work of selected winners and honorable mentions into the future. For more information and to apply visit https://innovateartistgrants.org

Innovate Grant supports artists and photographers through quarterly grants.

The Queensland Regional Art Awards (QRAA) are Flying Arts’ annual visual arts awards, open to artists living in regional, rural and remote Queensland. Established in 2011, the QRAA offers Australia’s largest regional art awards prize pool. This year’s total prize pool of $326,800 spans cash prizes, solo exhibitions, artist residencies and professional development opportunities across seven categories: the Queensland Regional Art Awards Overall Winner, The Mervyn Moriarty Landscape Award, First Nations Artist Award, Remote Artist Award, Emerging Artist Award, Young Artist Award, and People’s Choice Awards for adult and young artists. Entries open Monday 10 August and close Friday 18 September 2026 at 3pm. Entry fees are $40 ($35 for Flying Arts members), or $25 for young artists aged 15 to 25. Finalists will be announced on 15 October, with People’s Choice voting opening the following day. Winners will be revealed at the Gala on 26 November at 300 George Street, Brisbane.

The Creative Glass Fellowship Program at WheatonArts has awarded fellowships to artists working in glass for close to forty years. Over 365 professional and emerging artists from the U.S. and over 26 foreign countries have been recipients of Creative Glass Fellowships. Artists are encouraged to use their fellowships to develop and refine their work while experimenting with both traditional and innovative glassmaking processes.

Round 5 of The Bennett Prize marks a decade of celebrating women figurative realist painters and advancing gender equity in the art world. Founded by Steven Alan Bennett and Dr. Elaine Melotti Schmidt, the prize propels artists’ careers: the winner receives $75,000 and a solo traveling exhibition, the runner-up earns $10,000, and all finalists gain national recognition. Entries open April 13, continuing the prize’s legacy of elevating women painters nationwide.

A rural, creative retreat housed in a historic stone farmhouse set on a hill with 360º views of the Pyrenees mountains. It provides a quiet, distraction-free environment for deep focus, rest, and inspiration. There are no mandatory outcomes or public presentations expected; the focus is entirely on process and personal creative development.

May 18-30
June 7 -20
July 19-31
August 2-15
September 27 - October 10

The Redland Art Awards is a nationally recognized biennial contemporary painting competition. The primary award is an acquisitive prize with additional runner-up awards. The competition is open to Australian citizens or permanent residents aged 18 years or over. Entries must be original paintings in oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, or mixed media. Photography and drawings do not qualify. Works must not exceed 2m in height or 1.5m in width with a maximum depth of 10cm.

CPR – Center for Performance Research’s year-long Artist-in-Residence (AiR) Program seeks to support NYC-based artists working within various perspectives of contemporary dance, performance, and time-based art. In selecting its AiRs, CPR values experimental approaches to content, form, and aesthetic, and encourages risk-taking, interdisciplinarity, and the unexpected. The year-long residency creates an open environment for experimentation, exploration, embodiment, and exchange, and will provide a cohort of six (6) artists with research and presentation opportunities, subsidized rehearsal space, curatorial and project support, and peer dialogue. The program is intended to nurture the individualized creative process, and prioritizes artists for whom the opportunity will make a major impact on the growth and evolution of their work and career.

Blue Line Arts in Roseville, CA invites artists to submit smaller-scale handmade items such as mugs, bowls, coasters, prints, etc. that make great gifts this holiday season. For this show, artworks will be sold directly off the wall/shelf and there may be opportunities to restock work with local artists during the exhibition. Artists are encouraged to price artworks at or below $100, but pieces above this range will be accepted. For this opportunity the organization specifically searches for works that are smaller in size and giftable.

An intimate residency supporting artists working at the intersection of creativity, environment, and community. The Art & Water Micro Residency offers artists short-term use of the Art & Water Space in downtown Stillwater to develop new work, explore creative ideas, or engage deeply with place. Residents receive a small stipend, administrative support, and access to a flexible studio environment suited to installation, research, material exploration, listening practices, choreography, or multidisciplinary experimentation.

Photographers of all levels are invited to submit work reflecting the theme "beauty" to A Smith Gallery by September 28, 2026. Entries of 13 or more images are eligible for a complementary review by the gallery directors. The entry fee is $40 for the first 5 images and $5 for each additional image. Up to forty seven images will be selected for exhibition and shown in the online gallery from October 16 to November 26, 2026. An exhibition catalogue with all the accepted images will be available for purchase. Also, 27 images from the total 47 images will be selected for “The 27”, a limited edition hardbound fine art book of the exhibition.

AI ART AWARD “NEXT ART AI,” organized by HOBAN Cultural Foundation, is an international competition exploring new possibilities in creative expression through artificial intelligence. Open to all, the competition invites individuals and teams of up to three members to submit original AI Image Art and AI Video Art. Entry is free, with a total prize of KRW 21,000,000.

• Review all information on Mayor's Art Show Call to Artist page before submitting.


• Follow our How to Submit Guide (PDF) to apply with a free account.

Organized by the Lih Pao Cultural Arts Foundation, this biennial international sculpture award celebrates the integration of sculpture, architecture, and environmental design. Established by the Lih Pao Group, a company rooted in construction and real estate, the program aims to foster global cultural exchange and inspire artistic creativity while highlighting the role of sculpture in urban development. The initiative encourages artists to consider how sculptural works can enrich living spaces and public environments with cultural and artistic vitality. Selected works may be recognized through the foundation's award program, offering wide visibility. The opportunity is open to sculptors interested in contributing to conversations about art, architecture, and public space.

Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery announces the 10th Annual “Patterns, Textures & Forms” Online Art Competition.

Both 2D & 3D artists (including photography & digital art), regardless of where they reside, are invited to apply to this competition by entering their interpretation of the “Patterns, Textures & Forms” theme. Artists are invited to submit their best representational and/or abstract art.

Best in Show winner will receive a cash prize. Winners receive extensive worldwide publicity and promotion.

This international photography awards program recognizes visual strength and authorship across categories including advertising, architecture, black and white, nature, and fine art. Entries are judged anonymously by an international panel based on visual impact, technique, and storytelling. Selected photographers receive recognition designed to extend beyond the results announcement, including certificates, publication in an Annual Book, virtual exhibition placement, and interview opportunities. The top winner receives a cash prize, trophy, and prominent exhibition placement.

New Mexico Arts’ Art in Public Places program announces the 2026 Southwest Artists Series Purchase Initiative. The objective of this initiative is to diversify the state's public art collection by purchasing artwork from artists in all stages of their careers. The call is open to artists who reside in and galleries that are located in the Southwest: New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas. Artists or galleries are invited to submit qualifications as well as three professional quality images of artwork completed and available for purchase. Galleries may submit qualifications on behalf of any artist represented by the gallery, regardless of the artist’s residency. Seeking artwork in the $5,000 - $50,000 price range. All media in all genres, suitable for both interior or exterior display, will be considered for purchase. Artwork must be durable, permanent, low-maintenance and in compliance with ADA guidelines upon installation.

The ENDURION Project (www.endurion.eu) invites EU resident illustrators, muralists, designers, and visual storytellers from across Europe to participate in the European Green Hydrogen Mural & Calendar Art Competition 2027.
The competition seeks original artistic interpretations of how green hydrogen can contribute to a sustainable, climate-neutral, and energy-secure future for Europe. Through large-scale public art and a high-profile calendar publication, ENDURION aims to engage citizens, policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and future generations in the transition towards clean energy technologies.
The winning artwork will be transformed into a 200–250 m² public mural located on a prominent building in either Bulgaria or Italy.
12 additional artworks will be featured in a limited-edition 2028 Green Hydrogen Calendar distributed to key stakeholders across Europe.

This year-round residency program hosts artists, scholars, activists, and creatives in a mountain setting in Peru's Sacred Valley of the Incas. Residents stay for periods of one to four weeks and are provided a serene creative environment for personal project development alongside opportunities for cultural exchange and community engagement. Participants can take part in local backstrap weaving workshops, collaborate with nearby ceramic studios, explore agroforestry projects, and visit Inca temples, salt mines, and waterfalls. The organization facilitates connections with local scholars, artists, craftspeople, and Andean cultural practitioners, fostering deep cross-cultural immersion and creative growth.

Arrival Gallery is now accepting submissions for an upcoming exhibition in Osaka, Japan. Taking place from 16–19 October 2026, this presentation brings together a considered group of international artists in a focused, in-person exhibition.

The Arts Retreat artist residency program of the Cultural Center in New York Mills focuses on providing dedicated artists time for creative development and exploration. The program offers a unique taste of life in rural Minnesota while allowing the artists virtually uninterrupted time in which to immerse themselves in their artwork. Residencies last two to six weeks and include: No cost for housing or studio use, Private lodging in a one-bedroom bungalow, Access to studio space at the Cultural Center

Supported by the Wagner Foundation, this grant program provides unrestricted funding to independent presses with a history of publishing artists' books. Now in its third year, the program recognizes past accomplishments in artists' book publishing while supporting future projects and organizational sustainability. Selected publishers also receive a featured exhibitor presence at a major art book fair, offering visibility and connection to a broader audience of collectors, artists, and institutions. Applications are reviewed by Printed Matter staff alongside an outside jury.

The M16 Artspace Drawing Prize invites submissions in traditional drawing media and techniques, as well as innovative, experimental formats that extend and challenge understandings of what constitutes drawing in contemporary art practices. As a staple in their exhibition calendar since 2006, this prestigious prize celebrates the breadth and diversity of contemporary drawing practice, attracting hundreds of entries from across Australia.

The City of Arvada’s Arts & Culture Commission invites professional artists and artist teams to submit qualifications and concepts for the creation of a sculpture near the new Arvada Aquatics Center. This landmark artwork will serve as a visual icon for the neighborhood and facility, showcasing a celebration of water, movement, and community.

The Mount Barker District Council’s Arts Grants are open for applications 24 August 2026 – 4 October 2026. Professional artists and arts organisations can apply for grants of up to $5,000 to create, produce and show new projects or new stages of projects. The Arts Grants are designed to support works of high artistic merit with professional artist involvement throughout the creative process and outcome of the project. Projects must have a clear link to the Mount Barker district in South Australia and be able to be engaged with by members of the public.

Diptychs, Triptychs, Collages and Multiples (more than a Triptych) tell stories. What kind of a storyteller are you?

Photographers of all levels are invited to submit work reflecting the theme "diptych/triptych/multiples/collage" to A Smith Gallery by October 7, 2026. The entry fee is $40 for the first 5 images and $5 for each additional image. Up to forty seven images will be selected for exhibition and shown in the online gallery. An exhibition catalogue with all the accepted images will be available for purchase.

27 images from the total 47 images will be selected for “The 27”, a limited edition hardbound fine art book of the exhibition.

Juror will be Manuela Thames, photographic artist, writer and educator.

The Kilgour Prize is an annual non-acquisitive art prize for figurative and portrait painting. This major Australian art prize awards $50,000 for the most outstanding work of art as selected by the judging panel. A People’s Choice award of $5,000 is presented for the painting voted most popular by the public during the exhibition. Newcastle Art Gallery celebrates the twentieth anniversary of the Kilgour Prize this year. Administered by Newcastle Art Gallery since 2006, the Kilgour Prize was established following the generous bequest of renowned Newcastle-based figurative and portrait painter, Jack Noel Kilgour (1900-1987).

One of Australia’s major prizes for realistic portraiture, the $50,000 biennial Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award is non-acquisitive and is among the higher-value portrait painting prizes in the country, attracting hundreds of entries from many of the nation’s leading artists. For the 2026 Award, several changes have been introduced to better support artists. The entry fee has been reduced, and finalists will receive an artist loan fee payment, along with a contribution towards artwork freight costs. The Award is distinctive in its focus – all works must depict the subject accurately and without abstraction, representing a living person known to the artist and aware of the process. This commitment to realistic portraiture has defined the Award since its inception and continues to distinguish it within the national portrait prize landscape. Previous recipients include Lucy Culliton, Shaun Gladwell and Sally Robinson.

Mount Allison University is seeking Wabanaki artists or Wabanaki-led teams to create a permanent public artwork for an ornamental doorway portico at the RP Bell Library. The piece should reflect and honor Wabanaki systems of knowledge, language, communication, and artistic expression.

Mount Allison University invites Mi'kmaq basket makers and Mi'kmaq-led artistic teams to submit expressions of interest for a permanent public artwork celebrating Mi'kmaq basketry traditions at the RP Bell Library Centre for Innovation and Learning. The commission honours cultural knowledge, artistic excellence, and intergenerational teachings embodied in basket weaving. Selected artists receive a substantial all-inclusive budget to create a lasting work reflecting their own artistic vision, to be installed in one of the university's most significant public spaces. The initiative reflects the university's commitment to reconciliation and to recognizing Mi'kmaq artists as the appropriate knowledge holders for representing their traditions and contemporary expressions.

The Defiance Award has been founded to discover, support and profile exceptional Australian painters. The prize is designed to provide a prominent platform to connect artists to a wider audience. It offers both financial support and professional development opportunities to foster long-term careers in the arts, ensuring artists are equipped to thrive and grow within their practice. The Award will offer finalists the opportunity to exhibit in a group show at Defiance Gallery.

The Royal Society of Marine Artists seeks submissions of art inspired by the sea and marine environment, including harbours and shorelines, traditional craft and contemporary shipping, creeks, beaches, and wildlife involving tidal water. The RSMA Annual Exhibition is widely recognised as a showcase for the best in contemporary marine art, with selected work from the open entry hung alongside the work of members. The exhibition offers several prizes and awards. Selected artists will have their work exhibited at Mall Galleries, London, with potential for sales and commissions.

The Dairy Barn Arts Center presents a regional exhibition bringing together women and individuals with diverse experiences of femininity to share stories through visual art and contemporary craft. The exhibition centers narratives from the Appalachian region, challenging stereotypes and celebrating the complexity of gendered identity and experience. Participating artists gain gallery exhibition experience at an established regional arts institution, with the option to sell work through the venue.

Fusion Art announces the Everything Abstract 2026 Art Competition.

For this competition, both 2D and 3D artists, worldwide, are invited to submit their best nonobjective or nonrepresentational art. All artists, regardless of location or experience, are encouraged to submit their best abstract art and photography using any subject matter and any media.

Choice of a cash prize or complimentary one-year membership to Fusion Art's Members Gallery for Best in Show winners. Winners and finalists are provided with extensive worldwide publicity and promotion.

• Artwork Delivery: Thurs., Oct. 22nd between the hours of 10:00am to 6:30pm to Gallery 86.


• Artwork Pick Up: Fri., Nov. 13th between the hours of 10:00am to 6:30pm at Gallery 86.

The Dora Maar House in Ménerbes, France offers fully funded residencies of one to two months to mid-career arts and humanities professionals. Fellows receive housing, studio access, travel award, and stipends to focus on their creative work in a historic setting that was once home to surrealist artist Dora Maar.

The Creative Catalyst Fellowship supports individual artists whose work engages the public on critical issues facing Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) and can serve as a catalyst for civic participation. Selected artists join a cohort convened for peer sharing and learning, with access to communications consultation and promotion of their final work.

A non-competitive expanded cinema arts festival celebrating film, altered light projection, and durational performance and installation works incorporating analog film formats. Now in its 20th edition, the festival provides selected artists and filmmakers with travel support and accommodations to present their work.

The Smithsonian American Art Museum and its Renwick Gallery offer one of the oldest and largest fellowship programs in American art, inviting scholars from any discipline whose research engages American art, craft, or visual culture. Fellowships are residential, supporting full-time research within the museum's extensive collections, archives, and library resources in Washington, D.C. Fellows benefit from regular workshops, seminars, and lectures fostering scholarly exchange and professional growth. The program encourages applicants from all backgrounds and disciplinary perspectives, including those introducing new methodologies or materials to the field of American art history.

Palm Beach County's Art in Public Places program seeks to commission an artist or artist team to create artwork for the renovated Aqua Crest Aquatic Complex. The desired artwork should be made of tiles (e.g., ceramic, porcelain, terracotta, stone, glass) to be surface-mounted to walls.

The Town of Basalt, CO, through the Basalt Public Arts Commission is accepting proposals to create a unique sculpture for the Town of Basalt that will be located within the landscaped roundabout at Willits Town Center in West Basalt. The sculpture should capture the atmosphere, energy, and architectural character of the surrounding area.

The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans supports immigrants and children of immigrants pursuing graduate study in the United States. Each year, 30 Fellows are selected based on their potential to make significant contributions to American society, culture, and their chosen fields. Fellows receive funding along with mentorship, community, and lifelong connection to a network of nearly 900 Fellows across various disciplines including the arts.

Artists from across the country are invited to submit work for this nationally significant acquisitive prize, which continues to champion excellence, innovation and technical skill in contemporary print practice. With a long history of attracting hundreds of entries each year, the Burnie Print Prize offers a highly regarded platform for both emerging and established artists to present their work to a broad audience. They welcome submissions across all printmaking techniques, from traditional processes such as etching, lithography and relief printing, to digital and expanded practices that push the boundaries of the medium.

Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery announces the 16th Annual “Nature” Online Art Competition.

The “Nature” theme is the artist’s interpretation and depiction of nature art. Nature subjects include geographical subjects, landscapes, natural objects, wildlife and natural environments. Both 2D & 3D artists (including photography & digital arts) are invited to submit their best representational and/or abstract art.

Best in Show winner will receive a cash prize. Winners receive extensive worldwide publicity and promotion.

Springer Cultural Center in Champaign, Illinois seeks solo or group exhibition proposals for their upcoming calendar year. Located within the Champaign Park District, the center hosts approximately eight exhibitions annually in their historical building. The facility offers 100 linear feet of wall space and 630 square feet in the lobby for 3D work. Exhibitions are free and open to the public. Artists must live within reasonable driving distance to deliver and pick up artwork, as shipping is not provided. Selected artists are responsible for having artwork ready to hang and for insurance during transport.

Their competitions are open to all artists working in the United States, and submissions are reviewed through a blind jurying process, with decisions based solely on the artwork. They take an expansive view of painting, welcoming all styles, subjects, and media, provided the work is original. No educational credentials are required for our regional competitions; the only exception is our annual MFA competition. Artists applying to the MFA competition are also eligible to apply to their regional competition within the same calendar year.

This competition invites artists working in painting, printmaking, mixed media, photography, and digital media to submit work for consideration as the cover feature of an upcoming issue of Anthology magazine. Open to artists of all nationalities and experience levels, the competition provides a platform for publication and wider visibility. The winning artist receives a cash prize along with prominent placement and editorial coverage in the publication.

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  October 31, 2026, at 11:59 (PT): Deadline for entries.


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  November 1- November 31, 2026: Juror review and selection period. 


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  December 1 - December 15, 2026:  Call admin period. You may be contacted in this timeframe if we have questions about your entry.


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  December 16, 2026: Final notifications emailed to all artists.


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  December 23, 2026:  Selected finalists submit signed loan agreements, hi-res images of selected work(s), and any final updates to their application files (bio, statement, CV). 


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  January 20-23 and January 27-30, 2027 (Wednesday – Saturday, Noon-5 pm only). Drop-off and/or shipped artwork delivery period.


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  January 30, 2027 (Saturday): Deadline for receipt of shipped artwork.


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  January 31, 2027 (Sunday), 10 am: Deadline for receipt of hand-delivered artwork.


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  February 4, 2027: Seattle’s First Thursday Art Walk. 


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  February 5, 2027 (Friday): Artist Reception and Juror’s Awards, 5–7 pm. 


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  February 27, 2027, 5pm: Exhibition closes.


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  February 27, 2027 (Saturday), 5-8 pm & February 28, 2027 (Sunday), 10 am – 2 pm: Pick up hand-delivered artwork.


• Shipped work to be returned to the artist the week of March 1, 2027. Delivery timeframe is dependent on the artist-provided return label.

Genuine Art is seeking international contemporary painters for upcoming exhibition and art sales opportunities. They welcome applications from talented emerging and established artists with distinctive artistic styles and strong bodies of work. Selected artists may be considered for exhibitions and art projects, with opportunities for artwork promotion and sales. Please email your application to [email protected] with the subject line “International Call for Artists.” Please include: Portfolio or selected artwork images, Short artist bio, Website or Instagram, if available, Country of residence