5 Opportunity Sites Every Artist Should Know About

Looking for your next artist opportunity?

Don’t want to sift through countless websites to find it? From juried shows and art festivals to public art commissions and residencies, it can be hard to know where to search.

We’ve done the work and narrowed it down.

Here are 5 free and fantastic places to discover your next great artist opportunity.

CaFÉ

Apply to national calls directly on CaFÉ. Simply make an account, create a portfolio of work you wish to show, and apply to a call for entry. There is a simple step-by-step how-to here. CaFÉ has a huge variety of listings including calls for solo shows, international juried exhibitions, proposals, public commissions, and residencies. Each listing clearly provides the entry deadline, entry fee, event dates, and full details. You can search by call type, eligibility, city, and state. The listings are free to browse and there is no cost to register. You can also search for free calls for entry!

Artist Opportunity Monthly

AOM offers a free monthly opportunity list: AOMFree ( Edit: As of January 2020 AOM is now $49/year). All you need to do is sign up with your email and they send you thoroughly screened opportunities every month. The list includes juried shows, public art commissions, residencies, grants, and fellowships. AOM prides itself on ensuring each opportunity is worthwhile.

ZAPPlication

Make ZAPP your go-to for art fair, show, and festival opportunities. Similar to CaFÉ, everything is done online. Never waste money sending in images on CDs or slides again! Register for free, upload your work and apply all online. The jurors score online too. You will receive email notifications of the status of your entry and any other necessary details. It’s as simple as that!

UPDATE: Artwork Archive now has its own Call for Entry Page!

Free to peruse, we feature everything from dream residencies and life-changing grants, to fun festivals, art business workshops, and competitions for some extra cash. We make it easy to search, too! Filter by opportunity type, location, event dates, eligibility, and more to find exactly what your art practice needs to flourish.

The Art Guide

Not sure if you want to apply through a third party, Art Guide is the free artist opportunity site for you. This call for entries website allows you to apply directly to the organization hosting the show. You can also register and post your own events for free - perfect for those involved with artist association shows. The list is updated daily so there'll always be a great new opportunity to pursue.

Artist Trust

The free opportunity list at Artist Trust offers calls for funding, studio space, employment, housing, and residencies as well as art shows. You can easily filter your search by the desired category. You can also search by a specific discipline. The disciplines range from photography and public art to emerging fields and visual arts. The calls include international opportunities too.

With all of these opportunities, you will need a place to keep track your artwork.

Organize your inventory, track your shows, entries, and competitions with Artwork Archive. You'll always know the competition and location attached to each piece.