Guide to the Best Artist Grants and Opportunities in the Western 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 Western 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 West.
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!
Ongoing
Breck Create Artist in Residence Program
Residency
- Organization: Breck Create
- Submission Deadline: Ongoing
- Award Info: $600 stipend biweekly; Live/work studio in the Breckenridge Arts District
- Eligibility: National
- Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Photography, Drawing, Film/Video/New Media, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Painting, Sculpture
- Location: Breckenridge, Colorado
Breck Create’s Artist-in-Residence program offers artists across all disciplines the opportunity to focus on their creative process while engaging meaningfully with the local community. Residencies span 2 to 4 months, during which artists reside in a live/work studio within the Breckenridge Arts District, an intimate campus of historic structures nestled under majestic snow-capped peaks in cozy downtown Breckenridge. During the school year, artists serve as guest instructors in Summit County schools, providing support and supplemental curriculum to teachers. In the summertime, artists identify and collaborate with a community partner or organization on educational programs. Artists are expected to facilitate two weekly open studios on campus, instruct weekly lessons in schools and on campus, participate in on-campus public events, and collaborate with a community partner. Priority is given to artists with teaching experience.
January 3, 2027 65 days left
The Salon Series I
Exhibition
- Organization: Art Scene West
- Submission Deadline: January 3, 2027
- Event Dates: January 28, 2027 - March 28, 2027
- Entry Fee: $35
- Award Info: 2 Month Gallery Showcase with Sales Representation
- Eligibility: International
- Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Photography, Drawing, Film/Video/New Media, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Painting, Sculpture
- Location: San Diego, CA 92101, United States
In 1667, the Académie des Beaux-Arts opened its doors to the world and declared, in no uncertain terms, what art was — and what it wasn't. In honor of its long standing history, contribution, and irony, Art Scene West gallery presents The Salon Series — a three-part exhibition giving a prestigious stage to artists of all styles and mediums, from anywhere in the world. This open call aims to gather the expansion of contemporary art. Every style is welcome to submit.
January 8, 2027 70 days left
2027 CPAC Open International Call for Photography | MOP Denver
Exhibition
- Submission Deadline: January 8, 2027
- Event Dates: March 1, 2027 - March 31, 2027
- Entry Fee: $10 for up to three images
- Award Info: Public outdoor digital photography exhibition
- Eligibility: International
- Categories: Photography
- Location: Denver, Colorado, United States
Colorado Photographic Arts Center invites photographers worldwide to submit work for public outdoor projections during Month of Photography Denver. Selected vertical images appear on the Daniels & Fisher Tower, with horizontal work considered for the Denver Theatre District's outdoor screen.
January 8, 2027 70 days left
Our Hidden Community: Artists with Chronic Pain, Camas Library Art Exhibition
Exhibition
- Organization: Chronic Pain Project
- Submission Deadline: January 8, 2027
- Event Dates: February 5, 2027 - February 27, 2027
- Eligibility: Local
- Location: Portland, Oregon 97213, United States
January 13, 2027 75 days left
"Still Life, Still Blooming"
Other
- Organization: Cordova Community Council
- Submission Deadline: January 13, 2027
- Event Dates: January 25, 2027 - April 30, 2027
- Award Info: Best of Show 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention 1st Place Youth 2nd Place Youth 3rd Place Youth Honorable Mention Youth
- Eligibility: Local
- Location: Rancho Cordova, CA. 95670, United States
February 1, 2027 94 days left
3rd Gonzaga Triennial: Inland Northwest Juried Landscape Art Exhibition
Exhibition
- Submission Deadline: February 1, 2027
- Event Dates: May 22, 2027 - August 28, 2027
- Entry Fee: $25
- Award Info: First prize is $1000. The second place winner will receive $500, and the recipient of any honorable mentions will receive $250. Sponsored awards might also be available.
- Eligibility: Regional
- Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Photography, Drawing, Film/Video/New Media, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Painting, Sculpture
- Location: Spokane, Washington, United States
This juried display, occurring at Gonzaga University every third summer, seeks to present the diversity and dynamism of contemporary artistic activity in the Inland Northwest while celebrating the relationship between art and the local landscape. Selection of works and award winners for the 3rd Gonzaga Triennial: Inland Northwest Juried Landscape Art Exhibition will be made by Wes Jessup, Executive Director of the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, and Paul Manoguerra, Director / Curator of the Jundt Art Museum at Gonzaga University.
February 14, 2027 107 days left
Fables Reforged: A show of myths & fables reimagined
Exhibition
- Organization: Cordova Community Council
- Submission Deadline: February 14, 2027
- Event Dates: March 4, 2027 - March 20, 2027
- Entry Fee: $30.00
- Eligibility: Regional
- Location: Rancho Cordova, CA. 95670, United States
We welcome two- and three-dimensional pieces in all media including: painting, mixed media, printmaking, collage, fiber, glass, ceramics metal and wood.
Dates and Deadlines for the Exhibit
Online Submission - Sun. February 14 by 11:59 pm.
Artist Notification - Wed. Feb. 18 via email end of day
Art Dropoff at MACC - February 23 | 12-6 pm.
Pick up Artwork - March 23 from 12-6 pm
April 14, 2027 166 days left
Earth, Fire & Imagination
Exhibition
- Organization: Cordova Community Council
- Submission Deadline: April 14, 2027
- Event Dates: May 6, 2027 - May 22, 2027
- Entry Fee: $30.00
- Award Info: Best of Show 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mention Honorable Mention Honorable Mention
- Eligibility: Regional
- Location: Rancho Cordova, CA. 95670, United States
The theme for this show is open, and we want artist to have fun and use their creativity to amuse, teach, question, or baffle the viewer. Have fun!
April 20, 2027 172 days left
"Echoes of Reality"
Other
- Organization: Cordova Community Council
- Submission Deadline: April 20, 2027
- Event Dates: May 3, 2027 - July 29, 2027
- Award Info: Best of Show1st Place2nd Place3rd PlaceHonorable Mention1st Place Youth2nd Place Youth3rd Place YouthHonorable Mention Youth
- Eligibility: Local
- Location: Rancho Cordova, CA. 95670, United States
May 19, 2027 201 days left
9th Annual Rancho Cordova Arts Members Exhibit
Exhibition
- Organization: Cordova Community Council
- Submission Deadline: May 19, 2027
- Event Dates: June 10, 2027 - June 26, 2027
- Award Info: Best of Show - $3001st Place - $2002nd Place - $1003rd Place - $75Honorable Mention - $25Honorable Mention - $25Honorable Mention - $25
- Eligibility: Local
- Location: Rancho Cordova, CA. 95670, United States