Art Calls That Inspire: Explore New Horizons with These 2025–2026 Artist Opportunities
- Art Dealer Street
- Jun 8
- 3 min read
Every artist’s journey is shaped not only by talent and perseverance but also by the opportunities they seize along the way. Whether it’s a thought-provoking exhibition, a prestigious juried show, or a platform to showcase your voice on an international stage, the right opportunity can open doors and spark growth.
This week, we bring you four incredible open calls that invite visual artists, photographers, and creatives across disciplines to share their work, vision, and passion. From addressing climate change and celebrating rock & roll culture to honoring human diversity, these opportunities are more than exhibitions — they are platforms for meaningful dialogue and creative evolution. If you're ready to make your mark, dive into these calls that are now accepting applications.
1. OPEN CALL FOR ART: The Lorax curated by Charles Moore
Location: Long Island CIty, NY
Application Deadline: June 15, 2025
Inspired by Dr. Seuss’ iconic environmental fable, The Lorax, this exhibition invites artists to explore themes of sustainability, climate activism, and our collective responsibility toward the planet. Curated by Charles Moore — acclaimed author, critic, and curator — this show seeks visual narratives that engage with nature, activism, and ecological awareness in imaginative and accessible ways. Artists of all disciplines are encouraged to submit works that foster environmental dialogue, whether through whimsy or critical reflection.
The exhibition will be hosted at the LIC-A Art Space in Long Island City, and selected works will be on view throughout September 2025. This is an opportunity to create art that challenges, educates, and inspires change at a crucial moment for our planet.
2. Call for Entries: Lore Degenstein Gallery’s 16th Annual Figurative Art Exhibition
Location: Selinsgrove, PA
Application Deadline: August 17, 2025
Dedicated to contemporary figurative art, this juried competition at Susquehanna University’s Lore Degenstein Gallery celebrates the beauty and complexity of the human form. Open to artists over 18 working in painting, drawing, printmaking, or fiber arts, all submissions must reference the human figure and have been completed within the last five years.
The exhibition offers significant awards, including a $2,000 Best of Show prize, and will culminate in an opening reception where awards will be presented. If you are passionate about figurative work and seek an opportunity to showcase your art in an esteemed gallery setting, this competition is well worth your consideration.
3. AMPED: The Art of Rock & Roll
Location: Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition, Brooklyn, NY
Application Deadline: June 25, 2025
Celebrate the raw energy and rebellious spirit of rock & roll through visual art in this national juried show hosted by the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition (BWAC). AMPED seeks works that embody the electrifying influence of rock music on the arts. All visual media are welcome — from painting and sculpture to photography and mixed media.
Set against the industrial charm of BWAC’s Red Hook gallery space, the exhibition promises great exposure and the chance to engage with a dynamic arts community. Open to all U.S. residents aged 18 and older, this is the perfect platform to channel your inner rock star and share your artistic voice.
3. Call for Submissions: 2026 Embracing Our Differences International Art Exhibition
Location: Sarasota & Pinellas Counties, FL (Outdoor Exhibitions)
Application Deadline: July 1, 2025
Embracing Our Differences is a global outdoor juried exhibition inviting visual artists, photographers, writers, and poets to create works celebrating diversity and inclusion. Selected pieces are reproduced as billboard-sized images and displayed in Sarasota and Pinellas County parks, turning public spaces into powerful, open-air art galleries.
The exhibition offers $10,000 in total cash awards and is open to artists of all ages and nationalities. If you believe in the power of art to foster understanding and acceptance, this opportunity offers an unparalleled platform to make a statement — quite literally on a monumental scale.
Each of these opportunities invites artists to go beyond the canvas — to spark dialogue, engage with important themes, and connect with new audiences. Whether you're tackling urgent issues like environmental stewardship, celebrating music’s influence, exploring the human figure, or championing diversity, there’s an open call here ready to amplify your vision.
The deadlines are approaching quickly, so prepare your best work, submit thoughtfully, and step confidently into new creative arenas. The world is waiting for your voice — this could be the opportunity that transforms your artistic path.
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