Performance Calls, Public Art Opportunities, Residencies, and Grants for Artists
- Art Dealer Street
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Opportunities in the arts take many different forms, and the most meaningful ones do more than offer visibility alone. They create space for artists to test ideas, connect with audiences, and continue building their practices in ways that feel sustainable and relevant. This week’s selection brings together a range of opportunities, from a performance-focused call in New York to public art programming, residencies, and grants that support artists at different stages of their careers.
Some of these programs invite artists into direct public engagement, while others provide time, funding, or a professional framework for developing new work. Together, they reflect the many ways artists can find support today, whether through performance, installation, residency-based practice, or long-term studio funding.
Read carefully, note the deadlines, and choose the opportunity that truly aligns with where your practice is right now.
1. Clio Art Fair – Call for Performance (2026) Location: New York, NY Application Deadline: March 30, 2026
Clio Art Fair invites performance artists to participate in “It’s OK To Be Human,” a special program presented during the May 2026 editions of Clio Art Fair in New York City. The program encourages artists to reclaim the fragile, the imperfect, and the unresolved. In a cultural moment shaped by acceleration, artificial identities, and constant self-curation, this initiative creates space for presence over polish and vulnerability over spectacle. Artists are invited to submit performances that explore embodiment, error, intimacy, contradiction, tenderness, exhaustion, humor, and resilience. The stage becomes a space where failure is not edited out, emotion is not optimized, and the human condition is neither filtered nor performed for approval. Performances will take place during the 22nd and 23rd editions of Clio Art Fair, bringing artists into one of New York’s most active contemporary art weeks.
2. Artists at the Center (Seattle Center)
Location: Seattle, WA
Application Deadline: April 21, 2026
Hosted by the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture in partnership with Seattle Center, this program is currently seeking proposals for site-specific performances and installations. Selected artists or groups can receive up to $6,000 to bring their vision to life at the iconic Seattle Center campus. This is a highly visible opportunity for artists in the Pacific Northwest to showcase their work to a broad public audience in one of the region's busiest cultural hubs. The program specifically looks for work that is accessible and engaging for diverse communities. There is no fee to apply.
3. Postmark Center for the Arts Residency (P.A.I.R.)
Location: Auburn, WA
Application Deadline: March 20, 2026
The Postmark Center for the Arts is currently accepting applications for its summer residency program. This opportunity provides a $3,500 stipend and a dedicated studio space in a historic building for two months (July and August). It is a community-focused residency where artists are encouraged to develop new work while interacting with the public through open studios or workshops. It is a fantastic government-funded platform for Western artists to gain professional residency experience with no application fee.
4. Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant
Location: International
Application Deadline: Rolling throughout 2026
Established in the legacy of artists Lee Krasner and Jackson Pollock, the Pollock-Krasner Foundation provides financial support to professional visual artists with a demonstrated body of work. The grants are intended to help artists cover essential professional expenses connected to maintaining an active studio practice. Funding typically ranges from $10,000 to $50,000 and is available to painters, sculptors, and artists working on paper. The program stands out because it accepts applications year-round and does not charge an application fee. Rather than focusing on a specific project proposal, the foundation evaluates applications based on the strength of the artist’s portfolio and their professional history. For many artists across the United States, the Pollock-Krasner grant represents a critical source of support for sustaining long-term creative work.
The strongest opportunities are often the ones that know exactly what they are offering and who they hope to support. The programs highlighted this week reflect a wide spectrum of artistic practice, from live performance and public-facing work to residencies and unrestricted grant support. What connects them is their ability to give artists not just exposure, but context, resources, and room to develop work in meaningful ways. For artists navigating an increasingly layered cultural landscape, choosing where to apply is not only about availability, but about alignment. Take the time to review each opportunity carefully and focus on the ones that genuinely support the next step in your practice.