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

February 15, 2026 72 days left

Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, The Original (AASAF)
Other

  • Submission Deadline: February 15, 2026
  • Event Dates: July 16, 2026 - July 18, 2026
  • Entry Fee: $55
  • Award Info: $12,000 – 12 Excellence Awards of $1000 each; A total of $5,000 to $10,000 awarded annually in individual purchase awards
  • Eligibility: International
  • Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Photography, Drawing, Film/Video/New Media, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Painting, Sculpture
  • Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Description
Eligibility Info

Open to all artists

February 18, 2026 75 days left

The Guild’s Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair
Other

  • Submission Deadline: February 18, 2026
  • Event Dates: July 16, 2026 - July 18, 2026
  • Entry Fee: Non-Guild members: $50; Guild members: free
  • Award Info: Over $5000 in Artist Awards
  • Eligibility: International
  • Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Drawing, Painting, Sculpture
  • Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Description
Eligibility Info

Artists in fine art and fine craft disciplines are invited to apply

February 18, 2026 75 days left

Art Birmingham 2026 - 45th Annual
Other

  • Submission Deadline: February 18, 2026
  • Event Dates: May 9, 2026 - May 10, 2026
  • Entry Fee: $30
  • Eligibility: National
  • Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Drawing, Painting, Sculpture
  • Location: Birmingham , Michigan
Description
Eligibility Info

Artists in fine art and fine craft disciplines are invited to apply.

February 23, 2026 80 days left

29th Otterbein Annual Juried Student Exhibition
Exhibition

  • Organization: Janice Glowski
  • Submission Deadline: February 23, 2026
  • Event Dates: March 16, 2026 - March 26, 2026
  • Eligibility: Local
Eligibility Info

Open to artists local to Ohio, U.S.

February 28, 2026 85 days left

Destination Clare Art Sculpture Walk
Public Art & Proposals

  • Submission Deadline: February 28, 2026
  • Event Dates: May 12, 2026 - April 26, 2027
  • Award Info: Budget: 30,000
  • Eligibility: National
  • Categories: Sculpture
  • Location: Clare County, Michigan
Description
Eligibility Info

All residents of the USA are eligible to apply

March 1, 2026 86 days left

2026-2027 Call for Artists
Exhibition

  • Submission Deadline: March 1, 2026
  • Eligibility: State
  • Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Photography, Drawing, Film/Video/New Media, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Painting, Sculpture
  • Location: Faribault, Minnesota 55021, United States
Description
Eligibility Info

Open to artists based in Minnesota

March 1, 2026 86 days left

2026 Art For State Buildings
Public Art & Proposals

2026 Art For State Buildings
  • Organization: South Dakota Arts Council
  • Submission Deadline: March 1, 2026
  • Event Dates: November 17, 2025
  • Award Info: Artwork selected will be purchased for display in publicly accessible areas in state government buildings in and near the State Capitol Building in Pierre, SD.
  • Eligibility: State
  • Location: Pierre, SD 57501, United States
Description

March 2, 2026 87 days left

Ann Arbor State Street District Art Fair
Other

  • Submission Deadline: March 2, 2026
  • Event Dates: July 16, 2026 - July 18, 2026
  • Entry Fee: $60.00
  • Award Info: Best in Show: $1,000
  • Eligibility: International
  • Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Photography, Drawing, Film/Video/New Media, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Painting, Sculpture
  • Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Description
Eligibility Info

open internationally to all artists

March 16, 2026 101 days left

Art of Possibilities Art Show & Sale
Exhibition

  • Submission Deadline: March 16, 2026
  • Event Dates: May 27, 2026 - July 3, 2026
  • Eligibility: International
  • Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Photography, Drawing, Film/Video/New Media, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Painting, Sculpture
  • Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Description
Eligibility Info

Open to Artists with a disability causing physical or mental impairment of one or more major life activities are eligible. Examples of major life activities include walking, seeing, hearing, breathing, personal care, learning or working.

March 18, 2026 103 days left

Sacred Rhythnm/Sacred Pattern
Exhibition

  • Submission Deadline: March 18, 2026
  • Event Dates: May 1, 2026 - May 30, 2026
  • Entry Fee: $30
  • Award Info: total of $1,500 in cash prizes will be awarded
  • Eligibility: National
  • Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Photography, Drawing, Film/Video/New Media, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Painting, Sculpture
  • Location: Springfield, Illinois
Description
Eligibility Info

All artists, living in the United States, 21 years of age and older are eligible to apply.

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