Guide to the Best Artist Grants and Opportunities in the Midwestern U.S.

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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!


Guide to the Best Artist Grants and Opportunities in the Midwestern U.S.

CATEGORY

November 30, 2026 31 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
Description
Eligibility Info

Open to emerging and established artists in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas.

December 1, 2026 32 days left

Under the Current: Contemporary Craft Juried Exhibition Call for Entry
Exhibition

  • Submission Deadline: December 1, 2026
  • Event Dates: February 1, 2027 - March 5, 2027
  • Eligibility: Regional
  • Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts
  • Location: Springfield, Missouri 65897, United States
Description
Eligibility Info

Artists working in ceramics, metals, wood, glass, fiber, mixed media, and combinations of these materials are encouraged to apply. Both 2D and 3D and functional and sculptural works will be considered. The exhibition is open to artists of all ages currently residing in Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Students are encouraged to apply. Submitted artwork must have been completed within the last three years.

December 1, 2026 32 days left

Legends of Le Détroit
Exhibition

Legends of Le Détroit
  • Organization: mosaic productions llc
  • Submission Deadline: December 1, 2026
  • Event Dates: January 4, 2027 - February 11, 2027
  • Eligibility: International
  • Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Photography, Drawing, Film/Video/New Media, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Painting, Sculpture
  • Location: Detroit, Michigan, United States
Description
Eligibility Info

Open to artists internationally

December 18, 2026 49 days left

"New Art for a New Year" - GPCAAC Members Show
Exhibition

"New Art for a New Year" - GPCAAC Members Show
  • Organization: The Arts Garage
  • Submission Deadline: December 18, 2026
  • Event Dates: January 7, 2027 - January 31, 2027
  • Eligibility: National
  • Location: 317 West Perry St., Port Clinton, OH 43452, United States
Description

Ongoing

Jamestown Arts Artist in Residence Program
Residency

  • Submission Deadline: Ongoing
  • Award Info: Artists receive hourly payment for teaching and free living quarters
  • Eligibility: National
  • Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Photography, Drawing, Film/Video/New Media, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Painting, Sculpture
  • Location: Jamestown, North Dakota 58401, United States
Description
Eligibility Info

Open to U.S.-based artists interested in teaching

Ongoing

2026 Call to Exhibit at the Creston Arts Depot Gallery
Exhibition

  • Submission Deadline: Ongoing
  • Award Info: Exhibit at the Creston Arts Depot Gallery
  • Eligibility: National
  • Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Photography, Drawing, Film/Video/New Media, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Painting, Sculpture
  • Location: Creston, Iowa, United States
Description
Eligibility Info

Open to U.S. based artists

January 10, 2027 72 days left

Indy Arts Council Grant
Grants & Fellowships

  • Submission Deadline: January 10, 2027
  • Award Info: $2,000 - $10,000
  • Eligibility: Local
  • Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Photography, Drawing, Film/Video/New Media, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Painting, Sculpture
  • Location: Indianapolis, Indiana 46204, United States
Description
Eligibility Info

Eligible must be 18 years of age or older and must be a resident of Marion County.

January 12, 2027 74 days left

September 2027 Anderson Center at Tower View Early Career Artist Residency (for MN and NYC Artists)
Residency

  • Submission Deadline: January 12, 2027
  • Award Info: $625/week artist stipend, Travel honorarium ($550 for New Yorkers and $150 for Minnesotans), $450 documentation budget (services for photography, video, audio, etc.)
  • Eligibility: Regional
  • Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Photography, Drawing, Film/Video/New Media, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Painting, Sculpture
  • Location: Red Wing, Minnesota 55066, United States
Description
Eligibility Info

Must be a legal resident in the State of Minnesota or one of the five boroughs of New York City. Eligible artists must identify as an “early career artist” with 2-10 years of generative experience in the field

January 15, 2027 77 days left

Funded Research Opportunities at the Clements Library: Mary G. Stange Fellowship for Creative and Performing Artists and Writers
Grants & Fellowships

  • Submission Deadline: January 15, 2027
  • Award Info: USD $1,500 fellowship (Mary G. Stange Fellowship for Creative and Performing Artists and Writers; Laramy Fellowship in American Visual Culture)
  • Eligibility: Regional
  • Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Photography, Drawing, Film/Video/New Media, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Painting, Sculpture
  • Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
Description
Eligibility Info

Research must draw on the library's collections. Applicants for Clements Library fellowships cannot be considered unless the applicant resides at least 50 miles from Ann Arbor and is unaffiliated with the University of Michigan.

January 31, 2027 93 days left

Aftertaste
Exhibition

Aftertaste
  • Organization: Lux Center for the Arts
  • Submission Deadline: January 31, 2027
  • Event Dates: May 7, 2027 - June 26, 2027
  • Eligibility: International
  • Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Photography, Drawing, Film/Video/New Media, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Painting, Sculpture
  • Location: Lincoln, Nebraska 68504, United States
Description
Eligibility Info

Open to artists internationally

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