Use this summer to build momentum for a new chapter in your creative practice. Are you seeking fresh inspiration, broader visibility, or financial backing? This season is the perfect time to invest in your artistic momentum. From global residencies to high-profile grants and exhibition opportunities, these open calls offer tangible ways to advance your creative goals.
Keep track of these 9 open calls if you are looking to expand your audience, secure support for your projects, or engage with a vibrant creative community. Use these opportunities to take your work to the next level. Whether you’re emerging or mid-career, there’s something here that could catalyse your next big move. Don’t let the deadlines pass you by – apply, connect, and put your work out there now!
Form Photo Award
Deadline: July 30th, 2025
Form is an institution promoting contemporary photography, comprised of a gallery, magazine, publishing house, and educational platform. The Form Photography annual competition is dedicated to discovering emerging voices and prompting critical engagement and artistic growth. The five winners of the 2025 edition will receive free participation in the prestigious Scope Miami Beach 2025 during Miami Art Week. Additionally, the awarded works will be featured in Form Magazine.
Who can apply?
Professionals and amateurs worldwide, aged 18 and older, are invited to submit works for the competition. All ages and career stages are welcome, with an emphasis on emerging and mid-career artists.
How to apply?
Applications can be submitted through the online form.
Fees and support
A €35 submission fee is required. Apart from the main prize for the top five winners, the top ten selected artists (shortlist) will be featured in a digital exhibition at SCOPE Miami Beach, as well as the official exhibition catalogue. The applicants selected for the longlist are to receive personalised constructive reviews of their work from industry professionals to support their future artistic development.
Arte Laguna Prize
Deadline: July 31st, 2025
Every year, Arte Laguna Prize organises Special Prizes with international partners, including residencies, festivals, galleries, and other art prizes. The selection is divided into two distinct award types. One is held once every two years, the exhibition in the Arsenale Nord in Venice, with a jury composed of curators, art advisors, and museum directors. While the Special Prizes, with an evaluation of the artists’ proposals by the various partners and an allocation of one prize per winner, will be awarded on the stage of the Inauguration Evening of the Arte Laguna Prize. The Special Prizes include collaborations with art galleries, art residencies, or participation in art festivals. The partnered residencies include: MoCA Art Residency, Venice, Italy; BigCi, Bilpin, Australia; Artorale, Remscheid Lennep, Germany; LITIX, Carrara, Italy and NY20+, Chengdu, China.
Who can apply?
Arte Laguna Prize is open to all artists, regardless of age, sex, or nationality. The submitted portfolio may include previously exhibited work, but recently produced works will be prioritised. No specific theme is imposed. The techniques allowed are: Painting, Sculpture and Installation, Photography, Video Art and Short films, Performance and Acting (Stage and video), Virtual and Digital Art, Digital Graphics and Cartoon, Environmental / Land Art, Urban Art and Street Art, Art Design.
How to apply?
To apply to the competition, it’s necessary to log in to ArteLaguna.World web portal, create the reserved area, fill in the profile, and pay the entry fee. The fee allows for the submission of 5 works in different sections. Participation in the Special Prizes is free for all artists registered for the 20th edition of the Arte Laguna Prize, but requires filling out a dedicated form.
Fees and support
The entry fees are: €97 for artists under 35 and €122 for artists over 35. Artists are responsible for covering the costs of transport and all materials required for the production of their final work. 120 artists selected by the jury will exhibit their artworks for 3 weeks in the Arsenale Nord in Venice. The Overall Winner will be awarded a cash prize of €10,000 by MoCA and Arte Laguna (a 25% tax will be withheld from all cash prizes). Each artist will receive free online exposure through a personal profile on ArteLaguna.World – a digital platform dedicated to the promotion, visibility, and sale of contemporary art worldwide.
The Homiens Art Prize
Deadline: August 1st, 2025
Each year, Homiens provides over $12,000 in unrestricted awards to artists working across various media. The announcement of the prize, a widely celebrated event, has long contributed to elevating artists’ careers and allowing or establishing international connections. Through catalogues and editorial initiatives, Homiens reaches an audience both in the United States and internationally, connecting artists to buyers, curators, and public institutions.
Who can apply?
All artists based in the United States and internationally, working across various disciplines, are invited to apply. The possible media include painting, sculpture, photography, drawing, printmaking, installation, and audiovisual. There are no restrictions regarding the theme, size, or year of creation.
How to apply?
Artist must submit their work online via Submittable. Up to three images per artwork can be uploaded; links can be provided for time-based works. There is a $30 fee to enter 1 artwork, and a $15 fee for each additional artwork.
Fees and support
This round, three winning artists and twelve finalists will exhibit with Homiens as part of our seasonal exhibition programme. In addition, each winning artist receives an unrestricted award of $1,000. The winners will be invited to participate in an optional interview and may request a letter of recommendation from the Homiens Jurors. Additionally, 200 artists per round will be commended and celebrated across Homiens media.
The Arc Gallery – The Aesthetics of Power Exhibition
Deadline: August 15, 2025, 11:59 PM CST
The Arc Gallery serves as an integral part of Chicago’s contemporary art scene. Founded in 1973, it remains a woman artist-run cooperative art gallery dedicated to exhibiting innovative and experimental art without discrimination toward ethnicity, race, gender, age, class, religion, sexual or political orientation. As a part of this upcoming show, the Aesthetics of Power, Curated by Mahwish Chishty, ARC Gallery announces an open call for participation. The exhibition runs October 2–24th, with an opening reception on October 3rd and invites artists to reflect on “the contradiction of a world where power hides in plain sight, but leaves its unmistakable marks”. The themes related to the central focus, as specified by the curator, are: Cultural Memory and Erasure, Craft and Geopolitical Violence and Ornament as Language.
Who can apply?
Artists of all ages and nationalities, both emerging and established, are welcome to apply.
Any chosen medium, including painting, photography, sculpture, performance, video, and installation, will be accepted, as long as the work was completed in the last five years.
How to apply?
Artists must submit their applications online by August 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM CST. The applicants should send labelled image files, a brief (anonymous) artist statement of up to 125 words, and complete a submission form. Notification of acceptance will be sent by September 1, 2025. Selected works must arrive at ARC Gallery between September 25–27, 2025.
Fees and Support
There is an entry fee of $40 for three images. Additional images may be submitted at $10 each. A reduced student rate of $25 is available for the first three images, with the same $10 fee for additional images. Artists are responsible for shipping and return costs.
Selected artists will benefit from a public exhibition and inclusion in all press and promotional material. ARC Gallery takes a 20% commission on sold works; artists retain 80% of the sale price.
Medium Gallery Exhibition Space
Deadline: August 17th, 2025
Since 1991, the Medium Gallery has been a part of the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava, serving as a venue for all forms of contemporary art that reflect the school’s rich study program. On Jana Kapelová’s initiative, in 2018, the gallery began to accommodate parallel exhibitions, partitioning the gallery space. Recently, the Gallery launched an open call inviting a diverse range of projects.
Who can apply?
The open call is addressed to art students, beginning and established artists, and curatorial projects from both Slovakia and abroad. The Gallery board aims, however, to balance out the presentation of works by students, established artists, and local and international applicants. The accepted media include, but are not limited to: applied arts, architecture, design, painting, graphic design, photography, sculpture, intermedia, and textiles.
How to apply?
Artists are invited to fill out the free application form, which can be downloaded from the Medium Gallery, and sent to medium@vsvu.sk. with the subject “Open Call 2026_Project title”. The application must include a short and detailed description of the project, a choice of space for the exhibition (see map of the gallery), the CV of both the artist and the curator, in a single PDF file – a portfolio of the artist with works related to the project. Applicants should also choose an estimated preferred date of the exhibition, suggest a plan of installation of the exhibition, and provide a description of an optional accompanying programme (such as a guided tour, performance, or workshop).
Fees and support
Medium Gallery provides the exhibition space and covers: energy costs, gallery guards, transport of the artworks (after mutual agreement), technical equipment, plinths, basic installation supplies, and graphic design of printed and online PR materials. The gallery will also provide a limited print run of promotional materials for the exhibition, PR of the exhibition (distribution of press release in media, annotation on the web and social networks of the gallery, via newsletter), photo documentation of the exhibition (opening and exhibition views), as well as staff and sounding for the opening.
The authors of the project are responsible for: installing and uninstalling the exhibition (with partial assistance from Medium Gallery), technical equipment and installation supplies that cannot be provided by the Medium Gallery, opening of the exhibition (refreshments) and restoration of the gallery to the state before the exhibition.
The Wassaic Project Summer Exhibition
Deadline: August 18th, 2025
The next annual Wassaic Project Summer Exhibition will run from May 16th to September 12th, 2026. The Wassaic Project, based in the hamlet of Wassaic, NY, USA, is an artist-run nonprofit gallery, artist residency, and education centre. The current open call invites emerging and established artists to showcase their work in Maxon Mills, a historic grain elevator.
Who can apply?
Emerging and established artists, based in the US and internationally, are invited to apply. Various media are welcome as the gallery is “always open to creative new uses of Maxon Mills as an exhibition space.”
How to apply?
Applications can be submitted through the SlideRoom portal. Artists should upload their CV or publication list (a maximum of 3 pages), the project proposal, their portfolio, and pay the application fee. Four types of proposals will be accepted: ready-to-hang work, site-specific installations, temporary installations/performances, and printed works. A single application may contain multiple proposals.
Fees and support
The application fee is $25; however, if the cost of the application fee presents a financial hardship, applicants may email danielle@wassaicproject.org to have their application fee waived. As a nonprofit, Wassaic Project takes a 50% commission from sold works, which goes directly to the costs of putting on the exhibition.
ArtEvol 2025: Voices from the Undefined at Saatchi Gallery
Deadline: August 19th, 2025
The fifth edition of the London Art Collective’s (LAC) curatorial series spotlighting experimental contemporary art will be held at the Saatchi Gallery from September 12-19, 2025. Curated by Nelson Qin, the exhibition centres on emerging artists who challenge established systems and express themselves from undefined positions, forging new creative languages that cross disciplines, identities, and cultures. The open call, focused on the theme of “Evol”, signifying evolution, invites open-ended artistic responses to the emotional and societal complexities of our time. A jury of curators, artists, critics, and scholars will select works that embody bold experimentation and reimagine the relationship between art and reality.
All exhibited works will be considered for prizes recognising conceptual clarity and artistic impact. Awards include the Most Promising Artist Award (3 recipients), selected by the jury for exceptional creative potential, and the Audience Choice Award (1 recipient), determined by public vote during the exhibition.
Who can apply?
Both individual artists and artist collectives of all nationalities, aged 18 or older by the application deadline. Submissions are accepted across all disciplines and geographies, with both existing and new artworks eligible. The London Art Collective encourages applications from diverse voices and especially welcomes those from marginalised communities, including individuals facing barriers related to disability, gender, age, or ethnic background.
How to apply?
Submissions are open to all media and forms of artistic expression, including but not limited to: painting, printmaking, sculpture, installation, photography, video, sound, performance, text-based art, textile, and digital media. Fill in the form to submit the application.
Fees and support
A one-time, non-refundable fee of £15 per artist (registration) plus £15 per artwork submitted applies, excluding VAT (20%). Each artist may submit up to three works.
The submission fee contributes to the curatorial, administrative, and operational costs of the exhibition. Early submission is strongly encouraged to ensure timely review.
Selected artists will exhibit free of charge. No additional fees will be collected for hanging, display, or participation. However, artists are responsible for all costs associated with transporting their works to and from the exhibition venue. London Art Collective will provide logistical support. If a work is sold during the exhibition, London Art Collective will retain a 35% commission based on the final invoiced amount.
Schöppingen Artists’ Village Residency
Deadline: August 31st, 2025
Since 1989, the Schöppingen Artists’ Village in western Germany has been an internationally active cultural production and residency centre for artists. The scholarship-funded residency program is open to those aiming to expand in their practice in the fields of literature, visual arts, and composition. The duration of the residency can be arranged between two and six months. The residents are encouraged to engage in creative exchanges in line with the collaborative spirit of the Artists’ Village.
Who can apply?
Professional visual artists, authors, and composers of all ages, from all over the world, are invited to apply. Since 2023, applications from collectives have also been accepted.
How to apply?
Artists can apply through the online application portal. Applicants must submit a PDF document including their CV, a short biography, their portfolio, a statement on their work, as well as a planned project for their time at the residency. Selection is carried out based on the quality of previous work, the clarity and relevance of the proposed project to the program.
Fees and support
Individual scholarships provide €1,500 per month, with €100 to €200 deducted for rent and utilities. For collectives, the scholarship offers €1,000 per person, up to a maximum of €3,000 total, also minus rent and operational costs. Accommodation for partners, family members or assistants may be arranged. Travel, insurance, or material costs will only be covered in exceptional cases. The scholarship is designed as a residency, and residency at the artists’ village is mandatory. The scholarship is not designed as a production grant; therefore, the artists are not obligated to present the work, but they are, however, welcome to participate in events such as readings, lectures, or workshops.
The ROI Annual Exhibition
Deadline: October 10th, 2025
The only major historical British art society dedicated exclusively to oil painting, the Royal Institute of Oil Painters (ROI), is currently accepting submissions for its Annual Exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London. For this year’s edition, the applicants are invited to interpret an optional theme, HOME, to compete for the ROI Themed Painting Prize. Artists may, however, submit work outside of the theme to take part in the show.
Who can apply?
Artist based both internationally and in the UK, aged 18 or over. All work must be in oil, including water-soluble oil (if framed appropriately).
How to apply?
Artists are invited to submit their work online, via the Open Exhibition Submission System (OESS). A maximum of six works may be submitted per applicant, with three works that can be selected per artist. The works should be recent (completed within the last three years) and not have been previously shown at Mall Galleries, or submitted to any exhibition or competition between June 9th and December 16th, 2025. Artists are to submit one main JPEG/PNG image (max 5MB) per work with up to 2 detail images, and an indication whether the work is based on the year’s theme.
Fees and support
For artists aged 35 and under, the submission fee per work is £14. For all other applicants, the fee is £20. The shipping costs are to be covered by the artists. Selected artists will exhibit in the gallery and online, be eligible for ROI prizes and awards, receive a Private View invitation, and gain the possibility of a future ROI membership.
