Artist Opportunities
Organized below by region, opportunities include Requests for Qualifications (RFQs), grants, other calls for entry, as well as employment, fellowship, workshop, conference, and volunteer opportunities. Our best practice is to post Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) for artists/artworks, rather than Requests for Proposals (RFPs). If you would like to learn more about best practices for public art calls, please reach out to our consulting team at consulting@forecastpublicart.
Have an opportunity to share? Please contact jen@forecastpublicart.org with a clear description of the opportunity and a live link.
For a list of Emergency Relief, Grants, Funding, and other artist resources in response to the pandemic, please follow this link to our message regarding COVID-19.
We suggest that you confirm the status of an opportunity before applying.
Minnesota / Midwest
RFQs, COMMISSIONS, & CALLS for ART
The Rochester Art Center seeks submissions of walking-based art projects for exhibition and programming that will run April 30 to October 2nd, 2022. Jurors Zoe Cinel and John Schuerman (curators, as well as artists with walking-based artistic practices) will select 12 to 15 artists whose walking projects expand our ideas about art, place, mapping, culture, inner and outer experience, and which generally honor the simple act of walking. Note: Walking substitute entries welcomed from artists with walking disability. If you make walking-based artwork, or want to try your feet at it, we want to hear from you! We are interested in all types of walking art – documentary, performative, abstracted translations, etc. – and open to all forms of media, including drawing, video, photography, etc. within the size limitations of 50×50” for 2D artworks and 30x30x50h” for 3D artworks. The jurors will place equal weight on concepts and aesthetics, as well as consider installation flexibility. The jurors will select three submissions for Cash Awards: First place: $500; Second place: $300; Third place: $200. Submissions are due by November 15th, 2021.
The Arts@MSP Program is creating an Artist Roster of emerging, mid-career and established artists who will be prequalified for future public art opportunities at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP). This roster will be one method of selecting artists to develop temporary, permanent, free-standing or site-integrated artwork of various complexities, forms, and sizes, indoors and outdoors, at MSP Terminals 1 and 2. This call is open to professional artists residing in the United States. Regional talent is preferred. Project budgets for roster-based selections will vary, depending upon project complexity. Contract awards above $175,000 are subject to approval by the Metropolitan Airports Commission. Applications will be accepted at any time, and reviews are anticipated to be conducted quarterly in January, April, July, and October.
FELLOWSHIPS, RESIDENCIES, & SCHOLARSHIPS
Applications are now open for Forecast Public Art’s second Change Lab Research Fellow, who will focus on Indigenous visibility in public art. Forecast’s Change Lab Research Fellows go deep into an area of critical importance, and use findings to collectively develop a national public art policy platform rooted in justice, health and human dignity for Black, Brown, and Indigenous people. Through the Change Lab, reports developed by Fellows will become a model of change for public art programs, policies, and processes. Each fellowship is based around a specific research topic, and is open to graduate students, recent college grads, doctoral and post-doctoral researchers, artists, and public art professionals. The fellowship is a 6-month long, funded position with a $5,000 stipend. The Fellow will work from their home base and can be located anywhere. Working knowledge of public art in the US and some experience with research in the topic area is important. This Fellowship begins January 1, 2022. Apply by 11:59 PM CDT, October 28, 2021.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is now accepting applications for the third year of its groundbreaking artist-in-residence program. Following a number of successful residencies in city agencies, the MnDOT artist-in-residence (AIR) program was the second such program at a statewide agency, after the launch of Washington State DOT’s AIR program in 2019. But Minnesota has built upon their past experience and is once more looking for an artist to embed within their transportation department. In partnership with MnDOTS’s Sustainability and Public Health Division (SPHD), this artist will help develop creative methods to explore the intersections of equity, mobility, and health to help reduce GHG emissions in the state of Minnesota. Learn more about the Sustainability and Public Health Fellowship (as MnDOT is calling it) and why artist-in-residence programs are making news across the country for experimenting with new approaches at DOTs. Are you a Minnesota-based artist or do you know someone who should apply? Applications due December 1, 2021.
EMPLOYMENT & PAID INTERNSHIPS
Check back soon.
VOLUNTEER, INTERN, APPRENTICESHIPS, & BOARD OPENINGS
Art Shanty Projects seeks board members. If you are passionate about Art Shanty Projects and want to support art in our community, join our Board! We have a variety of roles for you to make an impact. We are seeking participants with skills and experience in a range of areas: fundraising, outreach, communications, marketing, event planning, legal, web skills, and artist backgrounds. Ours is a working board supporting an organization in a growth phase. Board members help map out how our organization is shaped. We are a passionate and collaborative group, committed to making Art Shanty Projects sustainable and to bringing equity and inclusion to our programming and organization. Previous board experience is helpful but not required. Board members dedicate an average of 10 hours per month for committee and board meetings, in addition to other planning activities. To apply for membership on the Art Shanty Projects Board of Directors, please fill out the interest form and upload a brief bio and resume, or email to: admin@artshantyprojects.org. Open until filled.
CONFERENCES, SUMMITS, WORKSHOPS & EVENTS
Forecast Public Art is offering two live, interactive courses about public art and public health. Join Tom Borrup from Creative Community Builders and Jen Krava from Forecast as they share information about what public art can do and how it can be a catalyst in the health outcomes of communities. The first course, Public Art 101: Purposes and Processes, will be on October 27 at 5pm CDT. The second course, Public Art + Healthy Communities, will be on November 3 at 5pm CDT. Both courses will be held via Zoom, and emerged from a two-year partnership with the American Planning Association to explore ways public art and placemaking contribute to thoughtful, innovative community health and wellness goals. Each course is $50 and participants do not have to attend course 1 in order to attend course 2.
PROGRAMS, GRANTS, & AVAILABLE FUNDING
Springboard for the Arts announces Artists Respond: Combating Social Isolation, a new, state-wide call for artists to help people in their communities connect with one another while staying safe and healthy. This is an open call with a rolling deadline for artists with creative ideas, with $500 in project support available. Projects with a focus on higher-risk groups, including but not limited to those in care facilities, elders living at home, new immigrant communities, families lacking access to broadband, and essential workers who may be self-isolating, will be prioritized for funding. Artists should already have a connection with or into the group – through yourself, someone in your family or close network, or other existing relationship.
Southwest Minnesota Arts Council Artist Equity Grants provide up to $4,000 to aid Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and other artists of color with projects that will advance their skills and artistic careers. No match requirements. Application Deadline: Ongoing, August 1, 2021 through May 1, 2022 or until funding for the year has been expended.
The City of St. Louis Park has funds available to pay for the graphic wrapping of city-owned utility boxes. Community and Neighborhood Organizations may apply to wrap a box. Original local artwork is encouraged. If you have a design you’d like to bring to life and need to find a community partner to support the project, contact info@slpfota.org.
The Creative Capital Award is valued at $100,000, including $50,000 in project funding and $50,000 in career development services. Next year’s free application are slated to open in February 2022.
Metro Regional Arts Council (MRAC) offers a variety of arts project support and learning grants, for all artistic disciplines. Varying submission dates.
Springboard for the Arts offers a Community Emergency Relief Fund, which provides up to $500 to use art to respond to community emergencies. The Emergency Relief Fund exists to meet the emergency needs of artists living in Minnesota. The Fund helps to support artists with personal emergencies and to support artists who want to respond to emergencies in their own communities. There is not an expectation of repayment, but the Fund is replenished in part by recipients paying back into the Fund so that others can benefit later. Whether they apply for funding or not, artists can also get a free hour of consulting with Amelia Brown, founder of Emergency Arts. July 2020 update from Springboard: As of July, we have funded 2,101 applications, and allocated $1,050,000 to artists and creative workers. We have paused accepting applications to the Emergency Relief Fund as we assess this work and plan for the future, as well as replenish the fund. We hope to re-open the fund in August in its original iteration, to help artists in Minnesota recover by helping pay an unanticipated, emergency expense.
National
RFQs, COMMISSIONS, & CALLS for ART
The Frederick Arts Council (Frederick, MD) seeks qualifications for Artist / Teams in the first phase of the Charrette for Roundabouts exhibition. Selected applicants will be given $600 to propose an idea and construct a model to be displayed at the Charrette for Roundabouts exhibition. The goal of the charrette exhibition is to spark discussion and innovation about the potential for artwork at Fredrick gateways to activate Frederick’s unique identity. Once artists are selected, each will propose an idea that builds upon a common idea/theme to enhance the county’s entryways and roundabouts, turning important transitions in and out of Frederick into distinct zones that facilitate unique and memorable experiences. Applications are due on October 22, 2021 and the Art Center exhibition will now take place in winter of 2021-22.
Rochester Contemporary Art Center invites National & NYS Artists to Propose Iconic Artwork in LGBTQ+ Welcoming Building in Rochester, NY. The artwork will be located in the building pass through of a new four story mixed-use and mixed-income building located between East Avenue and Broad Street in Rochester, NY. We seek applications by October 31 for an iconic work of art that represents, welcomes, or supports the LGBTQ+ community in some way, and we encourage artists to think expansively about the space, utilizing the wall, ceiling, and ground. The resulting commission should be bold, eye-catching, thoughtful, and engaging both day and night. Budget: up to $45,000. This opportunity is open to artists and artists teams of all disciplines who have completed other public commissions of a similar scale. Rochester Contemporary Art Center (RoCo) is working with neighborhood partners to administer the RFQ/RFP process. Apply by 11:59 PM ET, October 31, 2021.
The Arts Council of Indianapolis seeks artists for Bankers Life Fieldhouse Art Program. Part of the Bankers Life Fieldhouse renovation—located in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana and the home of the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever basketball teams—includes the solicitation and commissioning of artwork for the new Key Bank Suites level, as well as the Main Concourse and the Balcony levels. The artwork program’s intention is to tell key stories about Indiana basketball, Indianapolis, the Pacers and the Fever, and Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Arts Council of Indianapolis is looking to involve artists in the following ways: Purchases of existing, original artwork for installation; License fees for high-quality images of existing artwork (physical or digital), to be reproduced at varying scales or incorporated into larger compositions; Commissions of new artwork, to be created on a moderate scale and licensed for exact reproduction at large scale; Commissions of new, original artwork intended to be framed and installed; Commissions of new, site-specific mural artwork to be executed onsite by the artist, including a graffiti mural in the Team Store (this will be the first project commissioned). Eligibility: Artists participating in this program must have a strong connection to Indiana, in one or more of the following ways: Live in Indiana at the time of application, with the reasonable expectation of continuing to live in Indiana for at least one year after being identified for the project; Born and/or raised in Indiana, if not living in Indiana currently; Educated at an Indiana-based college or university; Artists under 18 are encouraged to apply, but if they are selected, they must have a parent or legal guardian enter into an agreement on their behalf. Budgets: The Team Store Graffiti Mural commission has a budget of $8,000 – $10,000; The total art budget is $350,000; 22 potential locations have been identified, but not all may receive artwork. Apply by October 31, 2021.
The Arts Council of Indianapolis is assembling a pool of artists interested in creating large-scale, painted portrait murals of “legends” important to the growth and culture of Indianapolis. Murals are anticipated to be executed between 2021 and 2023. For each mural, three artists from the pool will be selected by the mural’s community stakeholder group to create design proposals; one of the proposals will be commissioned. At least 2-3 murals will be created during the initial phase, with additional murals pending funding. This is a non-juried pool: the community stakeholder committee convened for each portrait mural will review everyone whose work is in the pool and will select three artists to be compensated to create design proposals for specific murals. Must be able to work in the US. Commission fee: $20,000-$30,000 per mural (based on size/location considerations) for artist fee, materials, and travel costs). As artists are identified to provide design proposals, they will be informed as to the budget of the particular mural project they are invited to design for. Artist fees for Legends murals include compensation for artists’ engagements with the community, design work, installation, travel and lodging, and meals. Depending on the site, the artist may also be compensated to rent the necessary equipment to execute the mural. Questions: contact Julia Moore, at jmoore@indyarts.org or (317) 631-3301. Apply by December 31, 2023.
The Oregon Arts Commission is accepting qualifications from artists or artist teams for a Percent for Art in Public Places opportunity at Oregon State University (OSU). The Reser Stadium project includes multiple sites for artwork at OSU’s main campus in Corvallis including at the stadium entry gates and new Welcome Center for the university, and a new Wellness Clinic. The buildings are scheduled to open in spring 2023. Eligibility: Regional, national and international professional artists and artist teams are eligible to apply. Artists from traditionally or currently underserved communities including (but not limited to) rural communities and communities of color are especially encouraged to apply. Artists with current contracts through Oregon’s Percent for Art in Public Places program are not eligible. Budget: The total budget for the project is $800,000, which is split into two separate sites: $600,000 to $650,000 is available for one or multiple commissions for the Reser Stadium entry gates and Welcome Center;$200,000 to $250,000 is available for one or multiple commissions for the Wellness Clinic. The budget includes artist fees, materials, fabrication, insurance, shipping, travel, installation, documentation and any other project costs. Apply by 5:00 PM PT, November 3, 2021.
Columbus Downtown Development Corp (CDDC) seeks artist for Starling Garage Sculptural Element: Two garages fronting Starling and State Streets have been constructed and are anticipated to open in June of 2022. To complement the catalytic investments on the Peninsula, CDDC is seeking to place a sculptural element on the Starling Garage on either or both of the elevator towers. A budget of $195,000.00 has been allocated to the sculptural element and is all inclusive of engineering, fabrication, travel expenses, site preparation, any equipment rental, and artist fee. A stipend of $1,500 will be provided for up to three finalists for the development of concepts. This opportunity is open to national artists. Apply by 5:00 PM ET, November 4, 2021.
Columbus Downtown Development Corp (CDDC) seeks artist for Starling Garage Mural: Two garages fronting Starling and State Streets have been constructed and are anticipated to open in June of 2022. To complement the catalytic investments on the Peninsula, CDDC is seeking to place three murals on the Starling Garage at the pedestrian level. Each mural will be on concrete board that will be affixed to the garage. A budget of $7,000.00 has been allocated for each of the three murals and is all inclusive of any equipment rental, materials, and artist fee. A stipend of $300 will be provided for up to six finalists for the development of concepts. This opportunity is open to Central Ohio artists. Apply by 5:00 PM ET, November 4, 2021.
The City of Wichita- Government Division of Arts and Cultural Services is launching a Public Artist Registry web page to serve as a resource to aid architects and developers in connecting with art consultants and artists when working on City projects. This database of qualified artists is intended to streamline the process of selecting artists and art consultants for cultural and public art projects. Local, regional, state and national artists who have experience working on large scale public projects are encouraged to apply for inclusion. No listed deadline.
The Celebrity Series Boston Public Performing Art Project with a budget of $130,000 has moved to a rolling deadline due to the COVID-19 crisis. If artists were not able to meet the original March 13th deadline but remain interested there is now time to submit an application. Celebrity Series of Boston’s Public Performance Projects Initiative was established in 2013 as part of the organization’s 75th anniversary celebration. From its inception, the goal of each public art project has been to broaden awareness of the organization’s activities by taking the artistic experience outside of the traditional concert venues to public spaces throughout Boston. The initiative conceives of the entire city as a canvas for participatory arts activities to promote the Celebrity Series’ mission and brand. Projects traditionally celebrate the joy of live performance and take place outside, at the end of September, are temporary and free. The public’s participation is an important component of each project. Rolling applications.
FELLOWSHIPS, RESIDENCIES, SCHOLARSHIPS, & OTHER AWARDS
UrbanGlass (Brooklyn, NY) offers 4 deadlines a year for general scholarship applications for our workshops. These four deadlines are at the start of each semester, when there is most funding available for financial aid and students have the best chance of admission into their preferred workshop. To apply for a scholarship, please fill out the Scholarship Application Form found on our website. APPLICATION DATES: Fall 2021 scholarship applications: TBD. Winter 2022 scholarship applications: TBD. Spring 2022 scholarship applications: TBD; Summer 2022 scholarship applications: TBD. No glass experience is required to apply for a scholarship. The opportunity is open to all visual artists.
National Parks Arts Foundation offers a variety of residencies. We recommend checking regularly.
EMPLOYMENT & PAID INTERNSHIPS
LA Metro is hiring a Senior Art Program Specialist. The role provides senior-level professional work and/or technical expertise in planning, programming, and delivery of high visibility art projects and programs to achieve the promise of a world-class regional transit system for all. This is someone who may work in project management or artist engagement or public art performances or a bit of everything. It is a temporary position that usually goes for 1-3 years and has benefits. This role is a great way to get acquainted with LA Metro’s program and get a foot in the door of the LA public art scene. Start Rate: $34.87/hr – Top Rate: $52.29/hr. Applications are being reviewed as they come in so interested people should apply ASAP.
Meow Wolf hires for a variety of jobs, in Santa Fe, NM, and Las Vegas, NV. Meow Wolf is an arts collective and production company that creates and operates immersive, interactive multimedia experiences that transport audiences of all ages into fantastical realms of storytelling. We recommend checking regularly.
VOLUNTEER, INTERN, APPRENTICESHIPS, & BOARD OPENINGS
Check back soon.
CONFERENCES, SUMMITS, WORKSHOPS, & EVENTS
Check back soon.
PROGRAMS, GRANTS, & AVAILABLE FUNDING
Gottlieb Emergency Grant Program. This emergency grant provides financial assistance to painters, printmakers, and sculptors whose needs are the result of an unforeseen incident, and who lack the resources to meet that situation. Each grant is given as one-time assistance for a specific emergency, examples of which are fire, flood, or emergency medical need. No close date.
The Foundation for Contemporary Arts offers Emergency Grants between $200 and $2,500 for visual and performing artists. Applications reviewed monthly, so artists can quickly take advantage of momentum or solve budget errors. Rolling acceptance.
The Maryland State Arts Council Creativity Grant Program strengthens the vitality and sustainability of artists and small organizations, in order to maintain a strong arts infrastructure in the state. The Creativity Grant also provides opportunities to serve the growing needs of relevant arts projects and collaborations within Maryland communities. Close dates for the Creativity Grant Program are rolling. Funded activities must occur within the grant period. Applications must be submitted at least 90 days before the funded activities occur. Applications will be reviewed monthly, and Creativity Grants will be awarded throughout the fiscal year until allocated funding is depleted.
The Maryland Touring Grant assists eligible nonprofit organizations by subsidizing the presentation of any performer on the Maryland Performing Artist Touring Roster. Rolling acceptance.
United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant. Public bodies, Non-profit organizations, and Federally Recognized Tribes may apply.
International
RFQs, COMMISSIONS, & CALLS for ART
CODAmagazine Call for entries.
Short Édition seeks short stories and poems to delight, inspire, surprise, and, most importantly, move our readers. Starting July 1, 2019, the editorial team at Short Édition will be publishing a monthly selection of original and unpublished short fiction in both the Short Story Dispensers and on our website. Button fiction — very short fiction published at the push of a button — is found in unexpected places, whether it’s when you’re savoring the last sips at the local coffee shop, waiting in line at the DMV, or strolling through the airport. We want to insert a bit of storytelling into the mundane moments, elevating the role of story in the everyday. We pay $125 stipend for each selected short story and $75 for each poem as an advance payment on the royalties that each author will receive on a yearly basis from the Short Story Dispenser subscriptions. Each selected piece will be published as a part of a Rendez-vous collection in our Short Story Dispensers around the world and on our website, short-edition.com/en. Response rate could be anywhere from a few days up to four months, depending on the number of submissions received. Submissions accepted on a rolling basis.
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