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!
MORE COMING SOON: Our team is currently hard at work searching for opportunities in this region!
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 30, 2026 118 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.
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
The Artist In Residence Program (AIR) serves K – 5 students in all six Jamestown elementary schools following the school calendar. Residency options include a fall semester and a winter/spring semester, or both. Artists follow a visual arts curriculum structured on basic design elements working with teachers and administrators. Each rotation requires a completed “Unit Plan” which includes lesson plans or goals, supplies needed, and a section for teacher feedback. The resident artist may use the rest of the day and the weekends for personal studio time, including access to the pottery studio and print shop, and teaching classes at the Arts Center.
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
Creston Arts is looking for talented artists to show at the Creston Arts Depot Gallery for 2026! Creston Arts Gallery is located on the first floor of Creston's historic Restored Depot, which also serves as Creston City Hall and administrative offices, located prominently at 116 W. Adams St. Gallery exhibits run for one month, with an artist's reception/opening night held on the first Friday of the month.