Guide to the Best Artist Grants and Opportunities in the Southeastern 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 Southeastern 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 Southeast.
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!
January 15, 2026 29 days left
Anna Maria Winter Art & Craft 6th Annual Show
Exhibition
- Submission Deadline: January 15, 2026
- Event Dates: January 17, 2026 - January 18, 2026
- Entry Fee: $25.00
- Eligibility: International
- Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Photography, Drawing, Film/Video/New Media, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Painting, Sculpture
- Location: Holmes Beach, Florida
This 6th annual 2 day art and craft show takes place in the heart of Holmes beach on Anna Maria Island at City Field on Marina Drive, across from The Ugly Grouper.
This holiday event will accept handmade and also unique gift ideas. Focus is on handmade & artist designed items but the jury will consider unique/creative gift ideas, authors, inventors and designers for holiday gift giving.
January 17, 2026 31 days left
Penney Retirement Community Centennial Celebration Juried Art Show
Competition
- Organization: Penney Art in Public Spaces
- Submission Deadline: January 17, 2026
- Event Dates: February 14, 2026 - May 1, 2026
- Award Info: Purchase Awards for first place ($1,500), second place ($1,000), third place ($750), fourth ($500), and fifth ($250). Artists may decline purchase awards if they prefer to have their artwork returned. Ribbons may be awarded for Honorable mention, Best Resident submission, Best Student (under age 18) submission, and additional merit ribbons if deemed appropriate by the judge. Artists not receiving cash awards and whose artwork is desired for the permanent collection may accept a request to donate their artwork to Penney Retirement Community, Inc, which is a non-profit corporation registered in the state of Florida.
- Eligibility: Regional
- Location: Penney Farms , FL 32079, United States
February 1, 2026 46 days left
Art Center Sarasota: Art of the Spectacle
Exhibition
- Submission Deadline: February 1, 2026
- Event Dates: March 5, 2026 - April 18, 2026
- Entry Fee: Three Pieces: $45 Members, $65 Non-members, $25 Student Members, $35 Student Non- Members
- Award Info: 1st place: $500, 2nd Place: $300, 3rd Place: $200, Merit (2) & Honorable Mention (4)
- Eligibility: Regional
- Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Photography, Drawing, Film/Video/New Media, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Painting, Sculpture
- Location: Sarasota, Florida 34236
This exhibition explores the intersection of fashion, circus, and stagecraft, capturing the drama, elegance, and eccentricity of the performing arts. Art of the Spectacle creates a visual celebration of performance, where costume, movement, and theatrics take center stage. Artists are invited to submit works that embrace the bold, the theatrical, and the extraordinary. Whether inspired by vintage vaudeville, avant-garde fashion, or the magic of the circus, this show seeks artwork that transforms the gallery into a stage, where every piece tells a story.
February 1, 2026 46 days left
From Source to Sea: Alabama Streams of She
Exhibition
- Submission Deadline: February 1, 2026
- Event Dates: May 8, 2026
- Entry Fee: $10 suggested donation
- Eligibility: State
- Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Photography, Drawing, Film/Video/New Media, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Painting, Sculpture
- Location: Birmingham, Alabama 35223, United States
From the impressive, multi-tiered waterfalls of the Tennessee River Valley to the wide and shallow Mobile Bay, Alabama boasts a rich and complex network of waterways recognized globally for its unique ecological significance. Members of the Alabama Women’s Caucus for Art, comprising a nexus of creatives from throughout the “River State”, will create a diversity of interpretive works that reflect on the rivers, streams, wetlands, and coastal borders of this sweet, beautiful, biodiverse home. ALWCA presents “From Source to Sea: Alabama Streams of She”, a juried exhibition to be held at the Library Gallery at Birmingham Botanical Gardens, open to all ALWCA members in good standing. This will be the first ALWCA full-member exhibition in Birmingham, Alabama.
February 1, 2026 46 days left
Glass Immersed Dual Glass Installation Art Sale & Juried Exhibit
Exhibition
- Submission Deadline: February 1, 2026
- Event Dates: March 21, 2026 - April 18, 2026
- Entry Fee: $35
- Award Info: 1st - $500, 2nd - $300, 3rd - $150
- Eligibility: National
- Categories: Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline
- Location: Norfolk, Virginia
In 2025, The d’Art Center launched its first Glass Circuit Event in alignment with Chrysler Museum’s Perry Glass Studio Grand Reopening Weekend. The Glass Circuit Tour featured glass exhibits, glass demos, art activities, and free transportation that connected three venues - The d’Art Center, Chrysler’s Perry Glass Studio, and The Glass Light Hotel.
This year, the Glass Immersed Dual Installation at d’Art Center will feature a Juried Glass Art Exhibit as well as an Artisan Glass Sale from both local and national artists. This installation will also outline the history of Norfolk’s Glass Scene, as well as the history of the Studio Glass Making Movement. The Juried Exhibit will highlight a unique and diverse range of glass artworks.
This Dual Installation will be a destination on The Norfolk Glass Circuit Event, scheduled Sunday, March 29th, 2026.
February 1, 2026 46 days left
The Stifel Artist Residency 2026
Residency
- Submission Deadline: February 1, 2026
- Event Dates: April 1, 2026 - June 27, 2026
- Entry Fee: $20.00
- Eligibility: National
- Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Photography, Drawing, Film/Video/New Media, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Painting, Sculpture
- Location: Wheeling, West Virginia, United States
Oglebay Institute is seeking established and up and coming artists to inspire, collaborate, and share their talents with their local schools and community. The Stifel Fine Arts Center Artist Residency program will partner with interested artists to build a body of work, and conduct school and community outreach programs while gaining critical skills for their future career, or by adding to their existing portfolio. Using an innovative residency model, their goal is to expand the impact of resident artists’ skillsets while encompassing the larger community. This program will afford artists the opportunity to showcase their skills in our arts center while simultaneously teaching and composing materials for an exhibition environment. This residency program is supported by funding from the EQT Foundation and the Elizabeth Stifel Kline Foundation.
February 2, 2026 47 days left
Michael P. Smith Fund for Documentary Photography
Grants & Fellowships
- Submission Deadline: February 2, 2026
- Entry Fee: $25.00
- Award Info: cash prizes and exhibition opportunities to Gulf Coast photographers
- Eligibility: Regional
- Categories: Photography
- Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
The Michael P. Smith Fund for Documentary Photography (MPS Fund) was created to honor the life and work of Michael P. Smith, one of New Orleans’ most legendary and beloved documentary photographers. The MPS Fund awards cash prizes and exhibition opportunities to Gulf Coast photographers whose work combines artistic excellence and a sustained commitment to a cultural documentary project.
February 2, 2026 47 days left
B26: Wiregrass Biennial
Exhibition
- Submission Deadline: February 2, 2026
- Event Dates: July 18, 2026 - September 19, 2026
- Award Info: People's Choice: One (1) $1000 award for first place, one (1) $500 award for second place, and one (1) $500 award for third place. Judge's Choice: One (1) $1000 award. There will also be one (1) $1,000 award for an Alabama artist.
- Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Photography, Drawing, Film/Video/New Media, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Painting, Sculpture
- Location: Dothan, Alabama, United States
The Wiregrass Biennial is a juried exhibition open to all artists living and working in the South over 18 years of age. Eligible states include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. All work must be original and completed within the last three years. They are seeking innovative and progressive work that utilizes a diversity of art forms and media. Additionally, they encourage large works, installations, and new media, and will also consider performance-based work in conjunction with the exhibition opening.
February 2, 2026 47 days left
No Boundaries 2026
Exhibition
- Submission Deadline: February 2, 2026
- Event Dates: March 31, 2026 - June 27, 2026
- Entry Fee: $45.00 (Non VQM Member Entry Fee), $35.00 (VQM Member Entry Fee)
- Award Info: Awards will be selected by the juror with cash prizes for first, second, and third place. In addition, the first place (Best in Show) artist will be given an opportunity to work with the Museum Exhibition Committee and Curator to be considered for a solo exhibition. Honorable mentions will be awarded at the discretion of the juror.
- Eligibility: International
- Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts
- Location: Virginia, United States
Artists are invited to interpret the theme “No Boundaries” in an original piece of fiber-based artwork. Boundaries can keep things in or keep things out. They may be physical, geographical, or even emotional. This exhibition asks artists to explore the creation of art with “No Boundaries.” Artwork will be considered in any media but MUST contain a minimum of 25% fiber components or fiber techniques.
February 6, 2026 51 days left
Fantastic Fibers 2026
Exhibition
- Submission Deadline: February 6, 2026
- Event Dates: April 6, 2026 - May 16, 2026
- Entry Fee: $40.00
- Award Info: $1,000 will be awarded: $500 First Place, $300 Second Place, $200 Third Place
- Eligibility: International
- Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline
- Location: Paducah, Kentucky 42001, United States
Yeiser Art Center is now accepting entries for the FANTASTIC FIBERS 2026 international juried exhibition. One of Yeiser Art Center’s most engaging and innovative international exhibitions, FANTASTIC FIBERS seeks to showcase a wide range of outstanding contemporary works related to the fiber medium.