We’ll cut straight to the chase—there are TONS of fantastic artist opportunities that you should be applying for this February.
Whether you want to beef up your CV with a juried show or try your hand at an artist residency, we’ve found some of the best opportunities out there for artists of all different nationalities and in all types of media.
Find the perfect opportunity to apply to with our February guide below (sorted by those deadlines coming up first), then read on to learn how to make sure you’re ready to hit “send” as soon as these opportunities arise.
Onishi Project’s Winter Group Show III
What: A group exhibition presented by Onishi Project, art management division through Onishi Gallery since 2012 that collaborates with cultural, educational and governmental organizations and art curators and critics around the globe to successfully execute group exhibitions with international emerging artists.
Who: All artists worldwide
Application Deadline: February 1
Exhibition Dates: February 13 – 24, 2018
Opening Reception: February 15, 6-8pm
Show Location: New York, NY
Fine Print: Space is limited. Up to eight artists accepted per group show. On the online application, you’ll need to include high-resolution jpegs of at least 3 images of your work, including title, medium, size and year, a link to your website if applicable as well as an artist’s resume/CV. More info here.
22nd San Angelo National Ceramic Competition
What: The show has been organized by and will be held at the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts. Angelo State University works in close cooperation with the Museum. The exhibition highlights a broad range of attitudes in the clay medium from functional to sculptural work.
Who: All ceramic artists 18 or older who are residents of the United States, Canada, or Mexico
Application Deadline: February 1
Exhibition Dates: April 20 - June 24, 2018
Opening Reception: April 20
Location: San Angelo, TX
Fee: $20.00 for up to 3 entries
Fine Print: Accepted work may be hand delivered or shipped prepaid to arrive no later than March 25, 2018. Artists are also responsible for return shipping costs. Learn more here.
2018 3rd Biennial Visual Impressions Juried Show
What: A juried show presented by Ryan James Fine Arts where all submitting artists will receive the rare opportunity to have a critical discussion of your works with a jury panel of local art industry professionals.
Who: U.S. artists creating modern, abstract, and conceptual works of art in 2D, 3D, New Media, Digital Arts, Ceramics, Glass, or Photography
Application Deadline: February 1
In-Person Critiques: February 9-11, 16-18, & 23-25
Exhibition Dates: April 1 – May 31, 2018
Opening Reception: April 12th, 5-10pm
Show Location: Kirkland, WA
Fee: $25.00
Fine Print: In February, all submitting artists will be invited to present in person, or via Skype, up to 3 artworks to the jury panel. 50 artists will be selected for the exhibition. More info here.
The Neon Museum’s National Artist Residency
What: Artist residency located in Las Vegas, NV, for eight weeks during the summer of 2018. Founded in 1996, the Neon Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to collecting, preserving, studying and exhibiting iconic Las Vegas signs for educational, historic, arts and cultural enrichment.
Who: Artists based in the U.S. working in the fields of visual arts, sculpture, performance, or sound
Application Deadline: February 2
Residency Dates: 8 week period between June - August 2018
Fine Print: Selected artists will receive a stipend of a total of $2,000 plus a budget for materials if required, a small travel stipend, studio space, and lodging for eight weeks. More info here.
Target Gallery’s 2018 Open Call for Solo Exhibition
What: This is an open call for proposals for a solo exhibition in the summer of 2018. Target Gallery, a contemporary exhibition space of the Torpedo Factory Art Center, promotes high standards of art by continuously exploring new ideas through the visual media in a schedule of national and international exhibitions.
Who: Emerging or mid-career artists from North America working in all visual media
Application Deadline: February 4
Exhibition Dates: May 25 – July 15, 2018
Show Location: Alexandria, VA
Fee: $40.00
Fine Print: The artist will also receive a $3,000 stipend. You’ll need to submit online an exhibition proposal, artist CV, image list, and up to 25 images of artwork for consideration. Download the prospectus here.
Women's Works 2018 - 31st Annual Show
What: Women’s Works is a juried fine art exhibit, celebrating women artists internationally and is presented annually by the Northwest Area Arts Council.
Who: Women artists 18 or older may submit any original work
Application Deadline: February 4
Exhibition Dates: March 1 - April 14, 2018
Opening Reception: March 10
Location: Crystal Lake, IL
Fee: $40.00
Fine Print: Cash prizes totaling more than $1500.00 will be awarded. The winner of the Founders Award will be the recipient of a free month-long solo exhibition of their artwork at the Old Court House Arts Center. Apply on CaFÉ. Learn more here.
Call for Sculptures in St. Joseph Sculpture Walk
What: The Sculpture Walk is an exhibit of beautiful outdoor sculptures displayed for one year in downtown St. Joseph, Missouri.
Who: Regional, national, and international sculpture artists
Application Deadline: February 5
Exhibition Dates: June 2018-May 2019
Location: St. Joseph, MO
Fee: $15.00 per sculpture, up to 4 sculptures
Fine Print: Selected sculptors will receive a $500 honorarium and all sculptures selected will be competing for up to $13,000 in cash prize awards. Learn more here.
BrickRed Gallery’s Call for Artists: Works On/Of Paper
What: An exhibition featuring works on or made of paper. BrickRed Gallery is a new artist-run gallery located within the St Claude Arts District in Bywater, New Orleans.
Who: Artists of all levels creating works on or of paper, including painting, drawing, sculpture, collage, artist books, printmaking, and more
Application Deadline: February 5
Exhibition Dates: March 8 – April 8, 2018
Opening Reception: March 10
Location: New Orleans, LA
Fee: $25.00
Fine Print: Artwork can be no larger than 48” in any direction, with some exceptions. Learn more here.
The World Illustration Awards 2018 Call for Entries
What: Presented by the Association of Illustrators, The World Illustration Awards are the most prestigious juried illustration awards globally—respected by illustrators, agents, and commissioners alike.
Who: Illustrators in any country working in any medium or context can enter work created between January 2017 - February 2018
Application Deadline: February 6
Fee: $33.00 for single entry, $60 for up to 5 images
Fine Print: Submissions must be made into the eight categories as either a New Talent (students or those within 2 years of graduation or entering the illustration world) or a Professional entry. Learn more about the prizes here and check out their FAQs page.
31st Annual McNeese National Works on Paper Exhibition
What: McNeese State University’s Department of Visual Arts is hosting a Works on Paper exhibition.
Who: All artists living in the United States
Application Deadline: February 9
Exhibition Dates: March 22 - May 10, 2018
Opening Reception: March 22
Location: Lake Charles, LA
Fee: $35.00 for 3 entries
Fine Print: Work in any medium using paper as a component part is eligible. Artwork, including frame, should not exceed 40” in any dimension. Learn more here.
FIERCE and FRAIL: Of Beings, Beasts, and Seed - Call for Art
What: Verum Ultimum Gallery invites artists to explore the theme, “FIERCE and FRAIL: Of Beings, Beasts, and Seed” for a group exhibition, and enter work that is an interpretation of the call.
Who: All 2D and 3D artists, national and international, working in all forms of painting, drawing, photography, graphics, digital, and sculpture
Application Deadline: February 10
Exhibition Dates: TBA
Location: Portland, OR
Fee: $35.00 for up to 3 entries
Fine Print: Wall mounted works must not be taller than 60" and no wider than 60". Learn more here.
Wish you could apply to these opportunities without the hassle? Manage jury-ready photos and inventory details, track the locations of your pieces, and receive email reminders before it’s time to submit—all with Artwork Archive! Learn more.
imPressed: National Call for Entry Printmaking Exhibit
What: Art Gym Gallery is hosting the 3rd annual imPressed national call for entry printmaking exhibit. It aims to highlight current trends in contemporary American printmaking and shine a spotlight on a cross-section of artists working in a variety of traditional, alternative, and experimental print processes.
Who: Printmakers living in the United States
Application Deadline: February 11
Exhibition Dates: March 22 - April 14, 2018
Opening Reception: March 22
Location: Denver, CO
Fee: $25.00 for up to 3 entries
Fine Print: Inkjet and giclée are not accepted. Learn more here.
33rd Annual Tallahassee International Juried Competition
What: The Tallahassee International is an annual juried competition presented by Florida State University Museum of Fine Arts and juried by faculty from the College of Fine Arts.
Who: Artists worldwide 18 years of age or older working in all media
Application Deadline: February 14
Exhibition Dates: August 27-September 30, 2018
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Fee: $20 for 2 works
Fine Print: There is a First Prize Award of $1,000, a Second Prize Award of $500 and a color catalog is produced. More info here.
Pennsylvania Center for Photography’s AMERICANA 2018
What: The AMERICANA Exhibition is returning to the Pennsylvania Center for Photography where it has grown into one of the Northeast’s premier photographic shows. It features both a traditional print exhibition as well as the very popular large screen digital exhibition.
Who: Photographers around the world who have shot in the U.S.
Application Deadline: February 14
Exhibition Dates: March 16 - April 8, 2018
Location: Doylestown, PA
Fee: $25.00 for two images, $5.00 for each additional image
Fine Print: Submissions must be taken in America, and judges will be looking for images that show America in context. Learn more about the submission criteria here.
“Facing the Wall” Open Juried Exhibition
What: Whether attempting to break through, climb over, dig under, circumvent, use as a canvas, or decorate, artists respond to the walls that confront them. "Facing the Wall" will display work that calls to attention the ways people confront the walls in their lives.
Who: Any artist who is at least 18 years or older
Application Deadline: February 14
Exhibition Dates: March 9 - May 26, 2018
Opening Reception: March 29
Location: Providence, RI
Fee: $25.00 for 3 entries
Fine Print: Artwork must be appropriate for viewers of all ages. Maximum size up to 36” wide and 40” high including the frame. 3D work should be 24" x 24” or less with a weight limit 35 lbs. Learn more here.
Temporary Public Art Installation
What: Rochester Contemporary Art Center (RoCo) is seeking proposals for site-specific, temporary public art that will enliven the East Avenue neighborhood for a period of one to four months. Of particular interest are projects that connect visitors to the location, buildings, park landscape, community and/or history of the neighborhood.
Who: U.S.-based visual artists, sculptors, sound artists, performing artists, photographers, filmmakers, etc.
Application Deadline: February 15, 5:00 PM EST
Production Period Begins: March 10, 2018
Installation Period: Prior to May 15, 2018
Location: Rochester, NY
Fine Print: Proposals for works that prompt visitors to return multiple times to experience changes in the piece are encouraged. Artist will receive a $2,000 – $3,000 grant to support their project (50% materials, 50% artist stipend). More info here.
Evolutionary Biology - From Darwin to DNA
What: International call for art with any nature or science thematic for solo and group shows. Art Science Exhibits is an independent venture created with the mission to bring artists together with scientists as true conceptual partners.
Who: There are no age or border restrictions. Submit work within any nature science thematic.
Application Deadline: February 15
Exhibition Dates: March 17 through the spring season
Location: Berlin, Germany
Fee: $25.00
Fine Print: One-quarter of the submissions from the last call were featured in the 2017 exhibition.
Artwork is chosen in relation to aesthetics and themes that they will develop from your nature science submissions. More info here.
”Wide Open 9” National Juried Art Show
What: BWAC Gallery’s juried show explores the idea of “wide open” in all the hidden niches of our collective psyche.
Who: U.S. artists working in all traditional and non-traditional 2D and 3D media
Application Deadline: February 16
Exhibition Dates: May 12 – June 17, 2018
Opening Reception: May 12
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Fee: $65.00 for up to 3 images, $5.00 for each additional image
Fine Print: Cash prizes will be awarded to the winners. Download the prospectus to learn more here.
Beacon Gallery’s International Juried Show
What: Beacon Gallery is calling for entries for its first international juried art show. No theme.
Who: All artists 18 years of age and older
Application Deadline: February 18
Exhibition Dates: March 16 - April 29, 2018
Opening Reception: March 16
Location: Boston, MA
Fee: $35.00 for up to 5 pieces
Fine Print: Three awards of excellence will be given out, as well as three honorable mentions. Learn more here.
Mark Arts’ Abstract National Exhibition
What: A national exhibition for abstract work, both amateur and professional, presented by Mark Arts
Who: North American artists creating two-dimensional abstract, non-representational works in any media
Application Deadline: February 18
Exhibition Dates: April 13 – July 7, 2018
Opening Reception: April 13
Location: Wichita, KS
Fee: $30.00 for 2 images, $5.00 for any additional image up to 10 images
Fine Print: Work must be ready to exhibit, created in the past two years, and not previously exhibited in a Mark Arts exhibition. Learn more here.
Allegany National Photographic Competition and Exhibition
What: The Allegany Arts Council is hosting a call for entries into the Allegany National Photography Competition and Exhibition, to be held at the Saville and Schwab Galleries.
Who: U.S. photographers
Application Deadline: February 20
Exhibition Dates: April 1 - April 30, 2018
Opening Reception: April 7
Location: Cumberland, MD
Fee: $30.00 for up to 2 entries, $15.00 for each additional entry
Fine Print: Cash awards in multiple categories, including Color, Black and White, Multi-Dimensional, and People’s Choice. Learn more here.
Authentic Marks - International Miniature Printmaking Exhibition
What: A printmaking exhibition where you are given the opportunity to show your work during Dubai Art Week. Last year’s exhibition featured original printmaking works from 18 countries, live printing demonstrations, and a VIP opening reception.
Who: Printmakers worldwide
Application Deadline: February 22
Exhibition Dates: March 21-24, 2018
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Fee: $30.00 for 2 entries
Fine Print: All printmaking techniques are accepted. Works should measure 11 x 11 inches in paper size. Learn more here.
2018-19 National Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition
What: Sculpture artists from across the nation are invited to participate in the thirteenth annual National Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition, which opens in conjunction with the 2018 North Charleston Arts Fest.
Who: Sculpture artists from the U.S.
Application Deadline: February 25
Exhibition Dates: May 1, 2018 - March 24, 2019
Opening Reception: May 2
Location: North Charleston, SC
Fee: $35.00
Fine Print: Up to 14 sculptures will be juried into the exhibit and compete for cash prizes totaling up to $19,750. Learn more here.
Artist Residency in Upstate NY
What: Main Street Arts is accepting applications for the second quarter of their 2018 residency program. Artists in residence will have 24-hour access to studio space, the opportunity to show work in the gallery and teach paid workshops.
Who: Artists 18 years or older living in the United States.
Application Deadline: February 28
Residency Dates: April, May, or June 2018
Location: Clifton Springs, NY
Fine Print: Cost for artists is $200 for 1 month or $350 for 2 months in the studio, or $400 for 1 month or $700 for 2 months in the studio plus housing. Learn more here.
“Free on the Inside” Group Exhibition
What: This group exhibition will display visual art related to, or an interpretation of the phrase “Free on the Inside”. Selected pieces will be shown in the main gallery space at Arts Warehouse in downtown Delray Beach.
Who: Visual artists working in all mediums
Application Deadline: February 28
Exhibition Dates: April 2 - April 30th, 2018
Location: Delray Beach, FL
Fine Print: Artwork must be dedicated specifically to the theme of “Free on the Inside”. All two-dimensional media is acceptable for submission. Learn more here.
Fine Arts Exhibition 2018 of the Decatur Arts Festival
What: The Decatur Arts Alliance invites artists to participate in the Fine Arts Exhibition of the 30th Annual Decatur Arts Festival. The exhibition is a juried multimedia presentation that contributes a fresh and unique perspective to the festival every year.
Who: Artists working in all media
Application Deadline: February 28
Exhibition Dates: May 22–June 10, 2018
Opening Reception: May 22
Location: Decatur, GA
Fee: $30.00 for 3 entries
Fine Print: Do not submit the work you are submitting to the Fine Arts Exhibition to multiple shows with overlapping schedules. Learn more here.
The Visual Art Open 2018
What: Hosted by Visual art Open (VAO), this juried exhibition hopes to reveal and promote unknown artists who are yet to establish their profile in the contemporary art world.
Who: All artists, both UK & international, are invited to apply to within the categories of drawing, printing, painting, photography, digital art, and sculpture.
Application Deadline: February 28
Location: Chester, UK
Fee: £15.00 per submission, up to 5 entries, £10.00 for entrants under 24 years old
Fine Print: Artists can win cash prizes of £1,000, plus a solo exhibition, and mentoring package. Learn more here.
The opportunities are endless!
This is a great starting point for your art business. Be sure to look at each listing for complete information on eligibility, application requirements, and more.
And remember to check out more great opportunities on sites like CaFÉ and The Art Guide for even more opportunities and don’t forget to search for local or medium-specific events perfect for you.
Applying can either be a headache or a cinch depending on how organized you are!
An easy solution for applying for artist opportunities without the hassle is to stay organized using an art inventory software.
With Artwork Archive, you can manage jury-ready photos of your work and their inventory details that makes submitting a breeze.
Plus, you can even track the locations of your artwork so you never submit a piece that’s supposed to be showing somewhere else.
The best part? Add application deadlines to the “My Schedule” feature and receive email reminders before it’s time to submit. You’ll never miss out on these opportunities again.
