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Craft. Claim. Connect: Calls for Artists Ready to Take the Next Leap
- Art Dealer Street
- Jun 22
- 3 min read
In a time when visibility and purpose go hand in hand, artists are being called not only to create, but to lead, question, and inspire. Whether through public commissions, archival-based performance, or long-term residencies in serene landscapes, the right opportunity can stretch your practice beyond comfort — into lasting transformation.
This week, we’ve gathered four exceptional artist opportunities based across the U.S. — all open to international and national applicants — that provide more than just space or funds. These programs offer platforms for deep thinking, creative risk-taking, and meaningful public engagement. Each has a unique mission, but all share one core value: empowering artists to claim space and shape culture.
If you're looking to push boundaries, anchor your voice in new communities, or gain momentum in your career, read on.
1. Performing Artist-in-Residence Program at MOCA (NYC)
Location: New York City, NY
Application Deadline: July 31, 2025
Hosted by the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA), this theme-driven performance residency invites artists to create new work inspired by one of the founding texts of American democracy — the Declaration of Independence. The program is particularly interested in artists who want to explore how this historical document resonates (or disconnects) from present-day cultural identities.
Selected artists will receive a $3,000 stipend, rehearsal space, access to the museum’s archives, mentorship, and a final public presentation. Three artists will be chosen. Ideal for artists working in movement, voice, or interdisciplinary forms, this residency asks: how can the past be reclaimed, reimagined, and performed in our bodies today?
2. Shibumi International Artist Advancement Foundation
Location: New York, NY
Application Deadline: Rolling (apply early for priority)
Galerie Shibumi’s SIAAF is a professional development program for international visual artists looking to gain a foothold in the U.S. market. It’s not just an exhibition — it’s a full-spectrum career advancement pipeline.
Accepted artists receive a group exhibition in NYC, portfolio and CV guidance, media strategy support, logistics for art transport, and — notably — assistance with visa letters and U.S.-based recommendations, helping to bridge cultural and legal barriers that often block emerging international talent.
The program is open to artists in all visual disciplines, particularly those with ambitious ideas ready for a wider platform. There is a fee to participate, but the value comes in real-world exposure and long-term development.
3. BTV NexT: Permanent Public Art at Burlington Airport
Location: Burlington, VT
Application Deadline: July 14, 2025
As part of a new expansion at Burlington International Airport, TV NexT is commissioning permanent artwork for three distinct areas in its terminal: a children’s playscape, a cozy lounge, and a fireplace room.
This call welcomes proposals from visual artists, designers, and interdisciplinary creatives with strong public art experience. Ten shortlisted finalists will each receive a $1,000 honorarium to refine their concept, with selected artists moving on to full realization.
Work must respond to Vermont’s local history, landscape, or community values — blending functionality with storytelling. If you're ready to put your mark on a high-traffic, high-impact public space, this is a commission worth chasing.
3. Ucross Foundation Spring 2026 Residency
Location: Clearmont, WY
Application Deadline: July 15, 2025
Spanning 20,000 acres of remote Wyoming terrain, Ucross is a world-renowned residency offering time, solitude, and resources to artists across disciplines — including visual artists, writers, composers, and choreographers.
Selected residents receive private studios, chef-prepared meals, well-appointed living quarters, and a $1,000 stipend for four to six weeks. But more than logistics, Ucross provides what many mid-career artists crave most: deep focus, uninterrupted time, and a community of serious peers.
Alumni include recipients of MacArthur Fellowships, Pulitzer Prizes, and Guggenheim Awards. If you’re looking to disconnect in order to reconnect with your work’s core — this is the place.
Every opportunity above is more than a line on your resume — it’s a doorway. Whether you seek visibility in a global art capital, sustained development in a rural residency, or the chance to embed your work into public consciousness, these programs invite you to take that leap.
Take the time to craft your best application. Tell your story clearly. Lead with your questions, your vision, your urgency. The right call doesn’t just accept you — it pushes your work into new terrain. This might be the one that changes everything.
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