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!
June 17, 2024 40 days left
Publication and Gallery Exhibition - Open to all mediums and subjects
Competition
- Organization: Overt Space
- Submission Deadline: June 17, 2024
- Event Dates: July 26, 2024 - September 8, 2024
- Entry Fee: $25
- Award Info: $500-$1,000 in cash prizes
- Eligibility: National
- Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Photography, Drawing, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Painting
- Location: STOUGHTON, Wisconsin 53589, United States
The theme, OPEN, invites artists of all mediums and subjects to submit their best work to be featured in our gallery and publication. Both realism and abstract art will be considered. Our gallery features contemporary art and the concept is considered in judging.
Overt Space Gallery + Gift is a vibrant and creative space for artists and makers, split between gallery and gift shop. Perfect for emerging and mid-career artists seeking places to share their work in a gallery setting with lots of foot traffic as well as a high conversion rate with online sales.
Winners(1st-3rd) will split cash prizes ranging from $500-1,000 - depending how many submissions we receive. Honorable mentions for 4th and 5th place. All accepted entries will be featured in a printed publication by the gallery and blog. Awarded artists will receive more space for interviews. All entries will have their name listed in our printed publication.
All artists residing in the USA are eligible to participate. This group show is located at Overt Space Gallery in Stoughton, WI. Artwork will need to be shipped to the gallery before the exhibition. Artwork will also be available on our website. Artists do not need to be present for the show.
Artists are responsible for insuring their artwork while in transit to and from the gallery and for the duration of the exhibition. All accepted artwork will be handled with professional care; however, Overt Space Gallery will not be responsible for any loss or damage to artwork while in transit to and from the gallery and while on the premises.
Damaged boxes and crates will remain unopened pending notification to the artist.
Work unclaimed by the sender at the return address on the crate is not the responsibility of Overt Space Gallery.
Artwork not picked up by the artist by June 9th, unless special arrangements have been made with Overt Space Gallery, is not the responsibility of Overt Space Gallery.
July 31, 2024 84 days left
2025 Tim Murphy Art Gallery Call for Artists
Exhibition
- Organization: Merriam Parks & Recreation
- Submission Deadline: July 31, 2024
- Event Dates: January 1, 2025 - November 29, 2025
- Award Info: Exhibition
- Eligibility: Local
- Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Photography, Drawing, Film/Video/New Media, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Painting, Sculpture
- Location: 6040 Slater St., Kansas 66202, United States
Step 1. Guidelines and process for selection
Each artist must submit their own application.
Must be able to display 16 - 25 works.
You may request to exhibit with another artist. Placement is not guaranteed.
Selected artists must not have exhibited in a monthly show in any medium within the past 2 years at the Tim Murphy Art Gallery.
Applications are reviewed by a committee.
Notification will be sent no later than the week after Labor Day.
Step 2.Gather your information
Five digital pictures that represent work you intend to exhibit.
Samples must be high resolution .jpgs
File names must include your last name and the title of the piece.
Step 3.Submit your application
Application
Artists who wish to be considered for 2025 exhibitions must submit application by Sunday, July 31, 2024
Step 4.You'll hear from us
All applicants receive notification via email of acceptance or rejection the week after Labor Day.
How artist selection works:
A committee selects artists for exhibitions.
The committee may assign more than one artist per exhibition.
Step 5.Gallery policies
Accepted artists must follow these guidelines:
All exhibited 2D works must be matted and framed unless wrap around canvas technique is utilized.
Accepted artist must sign gallery agreement.
90% of displayed artwork must be for sale.
Gallery commission is 30% of sales.
3-D mediums displayed on pedestals.
Insurance is the responsibility of the artist.
Artists Responsibility
It will be the responsibility of the artist to deliver or ship accepted work to arrive at the gallery no later than the Sunday prior to the exhibit opening night.
Artist will provide a complete listing of titles and sales price of exhibited work no later than 7 days in advance of show.
Artist shall accept the responsibility for providing insurance on artwork and shall hold the city harmless.
At least 90% of the works shown by accepted artist must be available for sale.
Artist will agree to leave work on exhibit until the conclusion of the show, and remove work within one week of the conclusion of the show.
August 1, 2024 85 days left
2025 Fall Artist-in-Residence Open Call September 10- November 12
Residency
- Organization: Bemis Center for contemporary arts
- Submission Deadline: August 1, 2024
- Event Dates: September 10, 2025 - November 12, 2025
- Entry Fee: $40
- Eligibility: International
- Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Photography, Drawing, Film/Video/New Media, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Painting, Sculpture
- Location: omaha, NE 68102, United States
Located in the historic Old Market, Omaha’s arts and culture district, Bemis Center's 110,000 square foot facility accommodates a broad range of artistic activity. Selected artists-in-residence enjoy generous sized, private live/work studios complete with kitchen and bathroom, a $1,250 USD monthly stipend and $750 travel stipend. Due to the limitations of B2 visas (touring/visiting), international artists-in-residence are eligible to receive reimbursement of qualified expenses, such as airfare, ground transportation, and meals. Selected artists are responsible for organizing travel to Omaha to attend the residency. Artists-in-residence have 24-hour access to extensive installation and production spaces and the Okada Sculpture & Ceramics Facility, a 9,000 square foot industrial space used for large-scale sculpture fabrication; and a Sound Studio for rehearsing and recording. This is an independently-driven, process-based residency in a communal environment, fostering creative growth, experimentation, and supportive exchange. There are no expectations placed on residents to create or promise of an exhibition in our first-floor galleries. Artists who are interested in applying to any 2025 open call opportunity (Jan–April, May–August, or September–November) will be required to submit a separate application and application fee for each designated session. In the event an artist is selected for more than one session, the artist will select one session to attend. Deadline: August 1, 2024 by 11:59 PM CST. Complete details can be found at bemiscenter.org/apply.
Ongoing
Jamestown Arts Artist in Residence Program
Residency
- Submission Deadline: Ongoing
- Entry Fee: Free to apply
- 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
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.
DEADLINE IS ONGOING