“Lunatic II: a conceptual self-portrait of intuition and the wild power within,” by Diana Sherblom; Photography.
Every week we gather a variety of artist opportunities from the DC area and beyond. Find one below and apply today — good luck! Click here for recent opportunities posts, and submit your opportunity listing here.
Opportunities
Call for Art Submissions to Vita Poetica Journal
Deadline: December 31 Vita Poetica Journal seeks visual art for publication in our online quarterly journal. This includes but is not limited to painting, drawing, photography, ceramics, textile, and sculpture. The work should engage, whether directly or indirectly, with our publication’s focus on art and spirituality. Click here for details.
Call for Submissions, Your Documentary Short to the Bethesda Film Fest — Bethesda, MD
Deadline: January 9 The Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District invites filmmakers to submit recent, original work for the 14th annual Bethesda Film Fest, set for spring 2026. Click here for details.
Call for Entry, Strathmore Mansion Gallery | Steeped 34th Annual Juried Exhibition — North Bethesda, MD
Deadline: January 19 Whether as a morning inspiration for the day, or a warm moment at the end of one, tea is always comforting. Tea carries a rich history, spanning thousands of years and is a part of many cultures. The beverage may be an individual indulgence or shared with a neighbor on a hot summer day. A cup of tea sets the stage for conversation or for ceremony. This call for art welcomes creative minds to contemplate the tastes, smells, traditions, and emotions in various media. We encourage artists to expand on the theme of tea in representational and abstract forms that may include tea vessels, depictions of tea/tea traditions, artwork made with tea, or the sense of warmth, belonging, and so much more. Artwork may be of any style and medium and may invite the viewer to actually touch the artwork. Artists from within the DMV region and beyond are encouraged to apply. Click here for details.
Call for Submissions: Frame & Frequency X — Rockville, MD
Deadline: January 20 Frame + Frequency is an ongoing International film and video art screening series presented by VisArts in Rockville, Maryland that highlights artists whose new media, experimental film, and video works explore contemporary visual culture, and presents an intimate panorama of the variety and breadth of video art in artistic practice today. This edition will take place in the Kaplan Gallery from May 22–July 19, 2026. Click here for details.
Western Loudoun Art and Studio Tour — Loudoun County, VA
Deadline: January 31, 2026 The 2026 Western Loudoun Art and Studio Tour (WLAST) is the 19th anniversary of the Tour. Our mission is to help promote Loudoun County as a scenic and cultural destination by producing a tour of our county’s visual artists, celebrating their work, and providing an educational experience for the public. Professional and emerging visual artists whose studios in Western Loudoun County meet specified criteria may apply as Studio Artists. Loudoun County artists who do not have a Western Loudoun studio suitable for visitors may apply as Guest Artists. Click here for details.
Call for Entries, No Boundaries 2026
Deadline: February 2, 2026 Artists are invited to interpret the theme “No Boundaries” in an original piece of fiber-based artwork. Boundaries can keep things in or keep things out. They may be physical, geographical, or even emotional. This exhibition asks artists to explore the creation of art with “No Boundaries.” Artwork will be considered in any media but MUST contain a minimum of 25% fiber components or fiber techniques. Click here for details.
Re-runs: These were previously posted, but it’s not too late to enter!
Sandy Spring Museum Open Call for 2026 Exhibitions — Sandy Spring, MD
December 31 Sandy Spring Museum is now accepting proposals for 2026 exhibitions. We are dedicated to supporting artists from diverse cultural backgrounds, especially those working within the traditions of folklore and community storytelling. If this aligns with your artistic mission, whether you’re interested in a solo exhibition (featuring 30–50 pieces) or participating in a group show (we’ll thoughtfully pair your work with others), we invite you to submit a proposal. Sandy Spring Museum would be honored to help curate and showcase your work as part of our commitment to celebrating folklore and cultural heritage through the arts. Click here for details.
Call for Volunteers, Academy Art Museum — Easton, MD
Deadline: December 31 The Academy Art Museum seeks detail-oriented volunteers to assist the Collections Manager and Registrar with an inventory of the Museum’s works on paper collection. This position offers hands-on experience in collections care while supporting the Museum’s mission to preserve and document its holdings. Prior experience with museum collections is appreciated but not expected, as volunteers will be trained in how to safely handle artwork and record information. Click here for details.
Call for Entries, 2026 Mid-Atlantic Juried Show — Charlottesville, VA
Deadline: January 15 You are invited to apply to be a part of McGuffey Art Center’s Second-Annual Mid-Atlantic Juried Show! Any artist residing in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC, or North Carolina may enter. All work must be original and completed within the last three years.The competition is open to the following categories: painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, fiber, sculpture and mixed media. 2-D entries should not exceed 8 feet in any direction. No entry that requires the artist to be present for moving or assembly will be accepted. Click here for details.
Call for Entries, Virginia Quilt Museum No Boundaries 2026 Exhibit — Dayton, VA
Deadline: February 2, 2026 Artists are invited to interpret the theme “No Boundaries” in an original piece of fiber-based artwork. Boundaries can keep things in or keep things out. They may be physical, geographical, or even emotional. This exhibition asks artists to explore the creation of art with “No Boundaries.” Artwork will be considered in any media but MUST contain a minimum of 25% fiber components or fiber techniques. Click here for details.
Instructors Wanted at The Art League — Alexandria, VA
The Art League is looking for skilled instructors in all visual arts disciplines. We’re particularly keen to recruit new hires for our sculpture, stained glass, and watercolor departments. Preferred applicants will have a personable and patient disposition, excellent communication skills, and the ability to teach their medium to groups of beginning, intermediate, and/or advanced level students. Class sizes range, depending on enrollment, from around 5 to 30 students. Experience teaching is helpful but not an absolute requirement. To apply, send a cover letter with statement of intent, resumé, and 6-10 tiffs or jpegs of current work to Ariane D’Souza via email at [email protected].
Ongoing: These opportunities have rolling deadlines.
Studio Sundays Submissions, Create! Magazine
Every month Create! Magazine! picks several winning images of artists’ studio spaces and features them on their website and social media along with artists’ work and story. Submit a quality image of your workspace, studio or kitchen table where you make work for a chance to be featured. For more information and to submit, click here.
Call for Artists, Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council
Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council (PGAHC) is featuring county artists at its newest art space Arts’tination at National Harbor. Arts’tination is dedicated to supporting local artists and curating immersive creative experiences. PGAHC is recruiting artists to show and sell their work and/or to conduct arts related workshops for the public. Artists should submit work samples and inquiries to [email protected]. For more information please visit https://www.pgahc.org/artstination.
Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grants
These monthly grants range from $500–$3,000, with the average amount being $1,700. Visual and performing artists whose work is of a contemporary, experimental nature and who have a US Tax ID Number can apply. For more information, click here.
Call for Art, Links Bridge Vineyards—Thurmont, MD
Links Bridge Vineyards, a small artisan style winery located just outside of Frederick, Maryland, is looking to feature the artwork of various artists on the walls of their tasting barn for two weeks at a time. To learn more, call Joan Cartier 301-602-5733 or email her at [email protected].
Pyramid Atlantic Workshop Proposals – Hyattsville, MD
Pyramid Atlantic offers year-round workshops in printmaking, papermaking, book arts, and hybrids thereof. We offer multi-week, daytime, evening, and weekend intensives for adults in our fully equipped studios. As part of a robust and diverse schedule of offerings, we welcome unsolicited workshop proposals, and hope that you will consider applying! Workshop proposal reviews are ongoing, but for best consideration, submit class proposals by the following dates: 1/15 for Summer Workshops; 4/1 for Fall Workshops; 7/1 for Winter Workshops; 10/1 for Spring Workshops. Questions? Email Gretchen, Artistic Director, [email protected]
Call For Artists, Busboys and Poets
Busboys and Poets is looking for submissions from Maryland and Virginia artists as it expands to new locations in both areas. Submissions can include drawings, painting, photography, sculpture, mixed media, assemblage, fiber, quilts, etc. Art images reflecting life in the city, family, portraits, whimsy, abstraction, social uplift and life experiences within diverse cultures are encouraged for submission. For more information, click here.
Alterwork Studios Online Residency
This residency was designed to give emerging contemporary artists an online platform to create new work and explore their practice. Over the course of four weeks, artists will be encouraged to experiment and explore their concepts and move their work forward in the contemporary art world. Learn more here.
Accepting Artwork for Curatorial Review by AIWA
The Alper Initiative for Washington Art features five exhibitions per year in the newly constructed first floor space in the American University Museum. We accept submissions, on a rolling basis, from Washington artists of all ages and backgrounds, and working in diverse media. The museum’s Director and Curator, Jack Rasmussen, will select curators who will review these submissions for potential use in Alper Initiative exhibitions. For more information click here.
Call For Entry Hamilton Arts Collective Guest Artist Exhibition – Baltimore, MD
The Hamilton Arts Collective (HAC) and the Hamilton Gallery seek applications from artists for month-long Guest Artist exhibitions at Hamilton Gallery located at 5502 Harford Road, Baltimore, MD. The selected guest artists will be invited to exhibit a selection of their current work in Gallery I of the Hamilton Gallery. The Guest Artist exhibition is featured in Hamilton Gallery communications and will be promoted by the HAC and Hamilton Gallery. This is an open call to artists residing within 60 miles of Baltimore City. Baltimore residents are encouraged to apply. Click here to learn more.
Howard County Arts Council Quarterly Call For Artists – Ellicott City, MD
The Howard County Arts Council gallery program was established to enhance the public’s appreciation of the visual arts, provide a venue to exhibit the work of local, regional, and national artists in a professional space, and provide leadership in the arts by presenting a broad spectrum of arts in all media from both emerging and established artists. Artists, ages 18 and older, working in all media and styles including time-based and installation artists, are encouraged to apply either individually or as a group. Proposals from curators and arts organizations are also welcome. Click here to learn more.
Exhibit at Hotel Indigo Downtown Baltimore — Baltimore, MD
The Maryland Art Place (MAP) is working with Hotel Indigo in downtown Baltimore to offer rotating exhibitions in the hotel’s library and Poets Modern Cocktails and Eats restaurant. This opportunity is open to visual artists living or working in Maryland. ’s public art partnership projects (MAP), in partnership with Hotel Indigo, is pleased to announce an open call to artists. MAP will curate four exhibitions a year based on submissions entered through a rolling basis. Click here to learn more.
Solo or Group Shows in Athenaeum Gallery – VA
The Athenaeum Gallery in Alexandria, Virginia exhibits visual arts created solely by artists living or working in the region (DC, Maryland and Virginia) and strives to present visitors with a wide variety of excellent art and unique experiences. In addition to the shows curated by the Gallery Director, the Athenaeum Gallery invites artists and curators to submit show proposals. For more information, click here.
The Creativity Grant Program State of Maryland (MD)
The purpose of the Creativity Grant Program is to strengthen the vitality and sustainability of artists and small organizations to maintain a strong and stable arts infrastructure in the State of Maryland. The Creativity Grant also provides opportunities to serve the growing needs of relevant arts projects and collaborations within Maryland communities. For more information regarding eligibility and funding timelines, please review the Creativity Grants Guidelines. For more information about the program, and to apply visit the Creativity Grant Program State of Maryland website.
Artist/Writers: Cover Art for Academic Medicine
Submit original works of art inspired by, but not necessarily representative of, an academic medicine experience from any perspective: caregiver, researcher, teacher, learner, or patient (for example, learning how to be a physician or scientist, caring for patients, exploring research questions, making a new discovery, being a research participant, teaching, or being cared for in a teaching hospital). The journal welcomes photography, sculpture, painting, textile work, and other visual media. Images may be cropped or resized to fit into the allotted cover space. Artists must also submit a related Cover Art essay as a narrative companion to the artwork, to explain the connection between the work and the “academic medicine experience.” The related narrative should be 250 to 600 words and is subject to editing. To apply for this opportunity, and to learn more, visit the Academic Medicine website.
The Awesome Foundation Accepting Applications for Art Projects
The Awesome Foundation for the Arts and Sciences is a worldwide network of people devoted to forwarding the interest of “awesomeness in the universe.” Established in 2009, the foundation distributes $1,000 grants on a monthly basis to projects and their creators. The money is pooled from ten or more self-organizing “micro-trustees.” The chapters are autonomous and organized by the trustees around geographic areas or topics of interest. Apply on the Awesome Foundation website.
Maryland Art Place Seeks Proposals for Rotating Exhibition Partnership with Baltimore’s Hotel Indigo (MD)
Maryland Art Place (MAP), in partnership with Hotel Indigo is pleased to announce an open ‘Call to Artists’. As an extension of MAP’s annual IMPACT public art partnership projects, MAP is working with Hotel Indigo to offer rotating exhibitions in Hotel indigo’s library and Poets Modern Cocktails and Eats. This opportunity is available to visual artists living or working in Maryland. Maryland Art Place will curate four exhibitions a year based on submissions entered through a rolling basis. Guidelines and information here.
Peripheral ARTeries – Biennial Contemporary Art Publication
Peripheral ARTeries is looking for artists to be featured in the new special Biennial Edition of their art publication, that comes to its 10th edition. This opportunity is great for both established and early career artists who need a boost to their artist portfolio. The 10th edition will once again explore and show current trends and tendencies in Contemporary Art: Peripheral ARTeries cultivates a spirit of openness through a unique collaborative and participatory approach.Each artist may submit a maximum of three works or projects made in any technique: painting, drawing, video art, experimental cinema, fine art photography, experimental media, mixed media, installations, public art, performance. The call is open to all proposed kind of art and media capable of challenging the viewers’ traditional perspective on art itself. To submit, visit the Peripheral ARTeries website.
Exhibit at Hotel Indigo (VA)
Artists’ works will displayed in the hotel’s gallery (220 S Union St, Old Town Alexandria) for a six-month period. Two-dimensional, framed works only. Artists will install the work using the hotel’s mounting hardware. Labels will be provided by the hotel. All sales handled by artist, no commission. Preference for local or locally influenced selections but not required. The space measures approximately 7’10” by 8’3.″ If interested, contact Kate Ellis, General Manager, [email protected].
The New Project Studio – Ongoing Opportunity (VA)
Ongoing. Located in Studio 8, the New Project Studio is a community-focused arts incubator space that offers a short-term location to test new program ideas, spotlight underrepresented voices, and enhance community engagement. Projects rotate on a regular basis. For more information, click here.
Public Arts Grants & Opportunities (VA)
Ongoing. The City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts provides grants for nonprofit arts organizations as well as individual artists. See all current opportunities and online applications here.
Residency: Maryland
Deadline: ongoing. Montgomery College, Rockville and Germantown Art Department is seeking proposals for its Artist-in-Residence Program, encouraging proposals that cultivate collaborative work between artists and students.
Looking for artists: Foundry Gallery (DC)
Foundry Gallery is seeking a few artists in the greater Washington, DC area. If interested in applying for membership please send up to five images (jpg attachments) and an email letter to: [email protected]. The oldest cooperative in Washington, the gallery holds monthly solo and members’ group shows at its beautiful space north of Shaw near the 9:30 Club.
Looking for artists: Printmakers (DC)
Washington Printmakers Gallery is seeking artist members specializing in printmaking, photography and book arts. An active cooperative for over 30 years, the gallery holds monthly solo and members’ group shows in its lovely space in upper Georgetown. Distant and shared memberships are available. If interested in applying for membership please email [email protected].
