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New Open Calls for Artists (2026 Edition)

This week’s roundup brings four opportunities designed to meet artists at different stages of their practice—whether you're drawn to community collaboration, international printmaking, a regional juried exhibition, or a quiet residency focused on nature and reflection. These programs stretch across Boston, Latvia, Pennsylvania, and the Nevada desert, each offering its own form of support and visibility.

You’ll find a museum-backed project working with children, an intensive graphic arts symposium, a respected biennial juried exhibition with generous awards, and a solitary retreat for artists exploring ecological themes. Review each listing, check your eligibility, and consider which opportunity aligns with your goals for 2026. One thoughtful application could help shape your next chapter.


Read through and find the opportunity that aligns with your vision, scale, and current direction.


1. MFA Boston: The Artist Project Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Application Deadline: January 16, 2026


Museum of Fine Arts poster. Two people in front of colorful circles on a wall. Text: "Open Call, The Artist Project, Deadline January 16, 2026".

The Artist Project pairs one experienced artist with twelve Boston-area youth organizations to create a collaborative artwork inspired by the MFA’s collection. The selected artist receives a $50,000 stipend, a $5,000 materials budget, full institutional support, and an exhibition in the Edward H. Linde Gallery. The project runs from October 2026 to April 2027 and involves leading multiple sessions with children ages 6–12. Ideal candidates have strong experience in community arts, large-scale projects, and collaborative work.

2. Latgale Graphic Art Symposium (Rothko Museum)

Location: Daugavpils, Latvia

Application Deadline: January 2, 2026


Orange poster for the 14th International Latgale Graphic Art Symposium. Text includes "Application Deadline: January 2, 2026" and "OPEN CALL 2026."

Hosted within the Rothko Museum’s residency program, this symposium brings together ten international graphic artists for two weeks of creative exchange and printmaking. Selected artists receive accommodation, catering, studio access, basic materials, portfolio presentation opportunities, guided city tours, and inclusion in a final exhibition on March 7, 2026. Artists are responsible for travel costs and for donating two artworks to the museum. This is an excellent fit for printmakers seeking international collaboration and focused studio time.



3. Biennial 2026 Juried Art Exhibition (SAMA)

Location: Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, Bedford, Pennsylvania

Application Deadline: March 7, 2026

Call for entries poster for Biennial 2026 Juried Art Exhibition at Southern Alleghenies Museum. Winter landscape, deadline March 7, 2026.


The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art is accepting submissions for its Biennial 2026 Juried Art Exhibition, sponsored by Benzel’s Bretzel Bakery. The exhibition brings together emerging and established artists from across the region, offering strong visibility and a respected platform for new work.

Cash awards include $1,000 Best in Show, $500 First Place, $250 Second Place, $100 Third Place, and a $300 People’s Choice Award selected by visitors. Submissions are juried by painter Fred Danziger, with top prizes awarded by artist Nicole Maye Luga. Artists will be notified of acceptance by May 8, 2026.




4. Montello Foundation Residency

Location: Montello, Nevada Desert, USA

Application Deadline: January 18, 2026


Montello Foundation call for residency. Text over a rustic cabin with a mountainous, cloudy sunset backdrop. Deadline: January 18, 2026. Apply now.


This two-week solitary desert retreat supports artists exploring themes connected to nature, ecological awareness, and the fragility of the environment. There is no fee to stay, though artists cover travel and meals. Residents live and work in a remote cabin with uninterrupted time for reflection and experimentation. The selection panel looks for strong artistic quality, alignment with the foundation’s mission, and commitment to sharing work. Applications require a statement, bio/CV, digital images, checklist, and a $20 application fee. Notifications go out in early March 2026.


These four programs highlight the many different ways an artist can grow: through community involvement, international exchange, competition, or quiet retreat. Each opportunity supports a different kind of practice—social, technical, regional, or environmental—and each offers real visibility or time for development.

Think about where your focus is right now: Do you want to collaborate, compete, deepen your craft, or step away into nature? Choose the programs that match your goals, prepare a strong application, and submit with confidence. Even a single successful application can shift the direction of your work in 2026.

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