Guide to the Best Artist Grants and Opportunities in the Midwestern U.S.
The Artwork Archive team set out to find the best art opportunities, artist grants, and calls for entry for visual artists in the Midwestern United States.
Below you will find a list of the top artist residencies, international open calls, artist grants, exhibition opportunities and art competitions that we believe will benefit artists, specifically in the Midwest.
Remember, you can now save the important deadlines for your favorite opportunities right in your Artwork Archive account.
When you find a call that interests you, simply click ‘Add to Schedule' and the call's deadline will be automatically added to your Schedule. You'll also receive weekly reminders to keep you on top of your game.
We will be updating this list throughout the year, so make sure to bookmark the page, check back often, and let us know if there is an opportunity that should be listed!
October 30, 2026 7 days left
2027 Michigan Central Art x Newlab Creative Residency
Residency
- Submission Deadline: October 30, 2026
- Award Info: USD $30,000 award
- Eligibility: National
- Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Photography, Drawing, Film/Video/New Media, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Painting, Sculpture
- Location: Michigan, United States
The Michigan Central Art x Newlab Creative Residency is a program designed to bridge the gap between artistic inquiry, technological advancement, and entrepreneurial innovation. Developed in partnership across Michigan Central, Newlab, and Henry Ford Health, with funds from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, this residency situates artists at the nexus of Detroit’s innovation district, fostering research, exploration, and impact across disciplines.
Ongoing
Call for Exhibition Proposals
Exhibition
- Submission Deadline: Ongoing
- Award Info: Professional exhibition venue with 100 linear feet of wall space and 630 square feet for 3D work
- Eligibility: Regional
- Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Photography, Drawing, Film/Video/New Media, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Painting, Sculpture
- Location: Champaign, Illinois, United States
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.
Ongoing
Community Gallery Proposals
Exhibition
- Organization: Lux Center for the Arts
- Submission Deadline: Ongoing
- Eligibility: State
- Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Photography, Drawing, Film/Video/New Media, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Painting, Sculpture
- Location: Lincoln, Nebraska, United States
The LUX Center for the Arts invites proposals for exhibitions in their upstairs Community Gallery. This gallery has historically been reserved by local organizations, and they are excited to open the opportunity to a broader range of artists, collectives, and community groups.
This opportunity is open to Nebraska-based artists, collectives, and community groups only.
They are seeking proposals from:
• Individual artists (emerging or established)
• Artist collectives
• Community organizations
• Cultural groups
• Collaborative or cross-disciplinary projects
They especially encourage proposals from artists and groups who have faced barriers to exhibiting in traditional gallery spaces.
November 1, 2026 9 days left
Small Works Show at Chicago Fine Art Salon
Exhibition
- Submission Deadline: November 1, 2026
- Entry Fee: $15
- Eligibility: Regional
- Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Photography, Drawing, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Painting, Sculpture
- Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Chicago Fine Art Salon is seeking original, small-scale artwork for their Small Works group exhibition. Each piece must measures under 16” in all directions, challenging exhibiting artists to play with finite scale and composition. Open to all mediums.
November 6, 2026 14 days left
Open Call for Visual Artists in Northwest Michigan - Solo Exhibition at Delamar Traverse City
Exhibition
- Organization: Kooiman Pavão Cultural
- Submission Deadline: November 6, 2026
- Eligibility: Local
Overview
K/P Cultural and The Delamar Traverse City are thrilled to announce an open call for the Delamar Traverse City Artist Series, a newly launched featured artist program at the Hotel. Regional artists are invited to submit their work to be considered for a solo exhibition in the Delamar’s Main Hallway. The space hosts visitors from around the world, as well as regional and local guests.
Details
Two artists will be selected from the open call submissions and invited to show work in a solo exhibition in spring or summer 2027. Exhibitions are on view for approximately 12 weeks. Selected artists are invited to work on site (plein air) before and during the exhibition if desired. An opening reception for each exhibition will be hosted by the Delamar, and the artist's presence is required.
Selection criteria
Exhibition Location
Exhibition Dates
- Feb 1 - April 25, 2027 or
- May 3 - August 8, 2027
Contact
November 7, 2026 15 days left
Call for art: Unraveled, Woman Made Gallery
Exhibition
- Submission Deadline: November 7, 2026
- Event Dates: January 16, 2027 - February 13, 2027
- Entry Fee: $30.00
- Eligibility: National
- Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline
- Location: Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States
Artworks must incorporate fiber based materials and/or strategies at some stage in the making process. Including but not limited to the following: sewing, quilting, weaving, crochet, embroidery, tapestry, lace-making, natural dyeing, beadwork, wearable work, felting, knitting, knotting, soft sculpture, and expanded fiber practices.
November 8, 2026 16 days left
Call to Artists: Solo and Group Exhibition Proposals
Exhibition
- Submission Deadline: November 8, 2026
- Entry Fee: USD $35
- Eligibility: National
- Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Photography, Drawing, Film/Video/New Media, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Painting, Sculpture
- Location: Hamilton, Ohio, United States
Community art center in Hamilton, Ohio, accepting proposals for solo and group exhibitions in all visual art and fine craft media for the 2027-2028 schedule. Four galleries and a corridor gallery host well-attended openings, and lens-based proposals may be considered for a future FotoFocus Biennial.
November 15, 2026 23 days left
McKnight Printmaking Fellowship at Highpoint
Grants & Fellowships
- Submission Deadline: November 15, 2026
- Award Info: An unrestricted $25,000 award, one year access to Highpoint’s state-of-the-art print shop, and more
- Eligibility: State
- Categories: Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline
- Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Founded on the belief that Minnesota thrives when its artists and culture bearers thrive, the McKnight Foundation’s arts and culture program is one of the oldest and largest of its kind in the country. Support for individual working Minnesota artists and culture bearers has been a cornerstone of the program since it began in 1982. The McKnight Artist & Culture Bearer Fellowships Program provides annual, unrestricted cash awards to outstanding mid-career Minnesota artists in 15 different creative disciplines. Program partner organizations administer the fellowships and structure them to respond to the unique challenges of different disciplines. Currently, the foundation contributes about $2.8 million per year to its statewide fellowships. For more information, visit mcknight.org/artistfellowships.
November 22, 2026 30 days left
Synthetic Truths
Exhibition
- Organization: UNDERSTORY
- Submission Deadline: November 22, 2026
- Event Dates: January 13, 2027 - February 27, 2027
- Eligibility: National
- Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Photography, Drawing, Film/Video/New Media, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Painting, Sculpture
- Location: Cleveland, OH 44102, United States
UNDERSTORY invites U.S. artists to submit conceptual work for SYNTHETIC TRUTHS, an exhibition on the synthetic, the substitute, and the relationship between synthetic and natural.
November 30, 2026 38 days left
Trailhead Gallery – Call For Art
Exhibition
- Submission Deadline: November 30, 2026
- Award Info: 6 weeks- 2 months per exhibit
- Eligibility: State
- Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Photography, Drawing, Film/Video/New Media, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Painting, Sculpture
- Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
The Loppet Foundation is seeking local artists to showcase their work in the Trailhead Gallery, a bright, welcoming space in the Trailhead at Theodore Wirth Park — where art, connection to the outdoors, and community meet. Artists receive full visibility in a high-traffic community space. Priority consideration will be given to local, Minnesota artists.