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!
September 15, 2024 13 days left
Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts
Grants & Fellowships
- Submission Deadline: September 15, 2024
- Eligibility: International
- Categories: Drawing, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline
- Location: Chicago, Illinois 60610, United States
The Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts, established in 1956, offers grants to support innovative ideas about architecture and its role in society. The foundation focuses on projects that investigate contemporary conditions, expand historical perspectives, or explore the future of the designed environment.
The grant program is open to a wide range of practitioners, including architects, scholars, artists, and educators, as well as organizations like non-profit galleries and universities. The foundation prioritizes projects that contribute to public discourse and reach new audiences.
For individual grants, the foundation aims to support crucial or transformative stages in careers, enable new forms of expression, and help communicate work to wider audiences. They particularly encourage first-time applicants.
Evaluation criteria include originality, potential impact, feasibility, and the applicant's capacity. The application process involves two stages: an initial online Inquiry Form, followed by an invited Proposal Form for selected applicants.
The Graham Foundation seeks to provide critical support at key points in project development, fostering diverse and challenging ideas about architecture and its broader cultural context.
September 27, 2024 25 days left
Mystical, Mythical, Magical
Exhibition
- Organization: Robert T. Wright Community Gallery of Art at the College of Lake County
- Submission Deadline: September 27, 2024
- Event Dates: November 15, 2024 - December 13, 2024
- Eligibility: State
- Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Photography, Drawing, Film/Video/New Media, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Painting, Sculpture
- Location: Grayslake, IL 60030, United States
Looking for artists with a cohesive body of work to submit for a limited group show (4-6 artists). Artists considered for this spiritual exhibition explore worlds to get lost in and the unusual characters or otherworldly phenomena that inhabit them. Abstract, non-objective, and realistic genres are acceptable. All media including ceramics, sculpture, and video are to be considered. Email your bio, info and images or send an email of interest and a link to your work to: [email protected]. Exhibition Nov. 15-Dec. 13 2024.
October 7, 2024 35 days left
Color Burst - FREE Entry
Exhibition
- Organization: Overt Space
- Submission Deadline: October 7, 2024
- Event Dates: November 8, 2024 - January 5, 2025
- Eligibility: National
- Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Drawing, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Painting, Sculpture
- Location: Stoughton, Wisconsin , United States
With the theme, COLORBURST, artists have the opportunity to play with color in intriguing ways. Using any medium or subject matter, let color tell the story or provide the emotion. 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.
Location: 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.
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
Ongoing
Propose and Exhibit for 2025-2026
Exhibition
- Submission Deadline: Ongoing
- Eligibility: International
- Categories: Craft/Traditional Arts, Photography, Drawing, Film/Video/New Media, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Painting, Sculpture
- Location: Wayne, NE 68787, United States
Submit your work to show at Blue Cat
Blue Cat runs exhibits from March or April to December each year. Most exhibits are scheduled for two months, but exceptions may be made. Submit a proposal for an individual or group show. Include the following information and materials listed below when submitting your proposal.
Deadline: ongoing (currently considering work for exhibits in 2025-2026; gallery closed Jan-Feb each year; possible exhibit dates include: March-April, May-June and Sept-Oct).
Materials and information to include:
5-10 images in jpg format for individuals (2-3 images per artist for group proposals)
Image list: title, medium, size, date, price - pdf format
Resume/CV - pdf format
Biography narrative (1-2 paragraphs about you and your art career) - pdf format
Artist Statement/Inspiration for your work (no more than one page) - pdf format
Where to submit your materials
Email your jpgs (images) and PDF documents to: [email protected]
In the subject line, type "Blue Cat Artist Proposal"
Expect a response within 1-2 weeks of emailing your materials