Calls for Artists
Browse our curated list of juried exhibitions, solo shows, group shows, festivals, and more calls for artists in Northeast Ohio.
DEADLINE: November 28th, 2025
RFQ: Sculptors for James A Garfield Statue ↗
City of Mentor
The City of Mentor is issuing a Request for Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for the creation and installation of a life-size statue of former U.S. President James A. Garfield, to be placed at a designated site in Mentor, Ohio, by July 4, 2026.
DEADLINE: November 30th, 2025
Maker-in-Residence ↗
Akron Maker Space
The Akron Maker Space (AMS) is offering 8 three-month residencies. Makers-in-Residence (MiR) work on a project, share their skills, and engage with members. Includes a $1200 stipend, access to labs and equipment, and the opportunity to sell personal work.
DEADLINE: November 30th, 2025
Design Innovation Creatives-in-Residence Program ↗
Kent State University Design Innovation Initiative
The Design Innovation (DI) Creatives-in-Residence (CIR) Program at Kent State University is now accepting applications for its second cohort of residents for Spring 2026! Open to KSU students or creatives from Northeast Ohio. Semester-long residency invites you to push the boundaries of interdisciplinary design through bold experimentation, collaboration, and community engagement. $800 materials and supplies, $400 stipend, workspace, tool/makerspace access, more.
DEADLINE: December 3rd, 2025
Cedar Lee Arts District Murals ↗
Heights Arts and LAND Studio
Heights Arts and LAND studio, in partnership with the Cedar Lee neighborhood, invite artists to submit qualifications for the creation of 4–6 murals throughout the Cedar Lee District in Cleveland Heights. One artist will be selected for each mural and paired with a participating building owner to develop a site-specific artwork.
DEADLINE: December 6th, 2025
14th Annual Juried Exhibition ↗
Morgan Conservatory
The Morgan Conservatory's 14th Juried Exhibition will feature innovative artworks from artists in Northeast Ohio and around the country that highlight paper as a creative medium and active substrate. Exhibition dates: March 6-May 9, 2026. Juried by Brittany Gorelick and Lillian Young.
DEADLINE: December 6th, 2025
Fine Art Photography Exhibition ↗
Cuyahoga Valley Art Center
CVAC invites artists to submit original photographic works for their inaugural juried exhibition on view from December 9, 2025, to January 22, 2026. Submissions accepted in person Dec 5 and 6. Cash prizes.
DEADLINE: December 6th, 2025
TOYS Holiday Exhibition ↗
Stella's Art Gallery
This holiday season, Stella's Art Gallery invites artists to rediscover the wonder, nostalgia, and joy that toys bring to our lives. From cherished childhood keepsakes to symbols of creativity and imagination, toys remind us of the warmth, generosity, and connection that define this time of year. Drop-off Dates: December 4th, 5th & 6th
DEADLINE: December 9th, 2025
Look of Winter Juried Art Competition ↗
Louisville Nimishillen Historical Society
Juried show with a winter theme. Enter up to 2 works of art, created from 2022-2025. $20 entry fee for one or two pieces. Entries open Nov. 1 and close Dec. 9. Show dates run from January 24-February 19, 2026, at AHH Gallery in Louisville, Nimishillen Historical Society in Louisville, Ohio.
DEADLINE: December 14th, 2025
23rd Kaleidoscope Juried Art Exhibition ↗
Summit Artspace
DEADLINE EXTENDED - The Kaleidoscope Juried Exhibition is an annual holiday show presented by the Alliance for the Visual Arts (AVA), scheduled for January 9 – March 14, 2026. This show is open to all members of AVA organizations: Akron Society of Artists (ASA), Artists of Rubber City (AoRC), Cuyahoga Valley Art Center (CVAC), Medina County Art League (MCAL), Ohio Collage Society (OSC), and Women’s Art League of Akron (WAL). Juror: Dr. Jeffrey Katzin, Senior Curator, Akron Art Museum
DEADLINE: December 14th, 2025
BIPOC+ Artists Funded Exhibition ↗
Summit Artspace
DEADLINE EXTENDED - Summit Artspace invites local BIPOC+ (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) artists to apply for a funded exhibition in our Main Gallery located on the first floor of Summit Artspace. Solo and small group exhibitions (up to 3 artists) may be proposed. A total stipend of $1,250 will be awarded to selected artist(s) to create the exhibition.
#Akron #solo exhibition #group exhibition #no application fee
DEADLINE: December 19th, 2025
Public Art for Neff Park RFQ ↗
City of Cleveland
The City of Cleveland, Ohio, through its Public Art Program, is requesting qualifications from Northeast Ohio-based artists, designers, or teams thereof who may be interested in producing a public artwork to accompany the renovation of Neff Park, located at 961 E. 193rd St., in the Collinwood neighborhood.
Solo Exhibition Proposals ↗
Curated Storefront
Curated Storefront's Studio Program, located at the Bounce Innovation Hub building in downtown Akron, invites students or recent graduates pursuing a BFA/BA or MFA in studio art at a regional university to show their work. Proposals for exhibitions are accepted on a rolling basis. Please email katie@curatedstorefront.org for more information and to apply.
DEADLINE: January 1st, 2026
2026 Renaissance Box Residency ↗
Kaiser Studios
Kaiser Studios invites artists and STEM professionals to apply for the 2026 Renaissance Box Residency Program, a unique 12-week immersive residency in Cleveland, Ohio. $1,000 stipend, 24/7 access to dedicated studio space, mentorship, public exhibition.
DEADLINE: January 4th, 2026
Towpath Trail Lantern Parade ↗
Canalway
Canalway Partners is seeking five artists/groups to create large-scale lanterns from recycled and upcycled materials for the fifth annual Towpath Trail Lantern Parade hosted by Canalway on March 7, 2026. Artists will receive a stipend of $1,000.
DEADLINE: January 9th, 2026
Boston Mills Artfest ↗
Boston Mills Ski Resort
Boston Mills is now accepting applications for the 52st annual 2026 Boston Mills Artfest, a celebration of Fine Art and Contemporary Craft, a nationally recognized juried festival that has delighted art lovers for over five decades. Hosted and produced by the beautiful Boston Mills Ski Resort, a Vail Resort in Peninsula, Ohio. Boston Mills I: June 25-June 28 and Boston Mills II: July 3-July 5.
DEADLINE: January 16th, 2026
Call for Participating Artists ↗
BorderLight Theatre Festival
BorderLight Fringe invites artists to apply to the BorderLight Fringe Festival 2026, returning to Cleveland’s Playhouse Square District July 8–11, 2026. The festival showcases self-produced work by local, national, and international artists across all genres — theatre, movement, music, performance art, immersive experiences, and more. Participating artists receive 60% of ticket revenue for ticketed shows, or an artist stipend for free and site-specific performances. BorderLight provides venue, box office, marketing, and technical support to help artists focus on their work.
DEADLINE: January 16th, 2026
Kilcawley Center RFQ - Ohio Percent for Art/Youngstown State ↗
Ohio Arts Council
Youngstown State University (YSU) is inviting Ohio and national artists to submit up to nine (9) digital images of past work and a pdf of a combined resume/artist statement for the Youngstown State Kilcawley Center Percent for Art Project commission.
DEADLINE: January 29th, 2026
Hip Hop is History ↗
LemonChrystal
LemonChrystal is seeking artwork submissions for hip hop portraits and hiphop culture inspired 2d, 3d artwork, Fashion and installations for Hip Hop is History scheduled for March 27, 2026.
DEADLINE: February 10th, 2026
Echo Artist Residency Program ↗
SPACES
SPACES is excited to announce the Echo Artist Residency Program with an open call for artists to propose projects for 2027. Each season, SPACES selects one local artist from Northeast Ohio and one artist from outside the region. These two artists form a peer cohort, fostering the exchange of ideas, techniques, and networks.
DEADLINE: February 15th, 2026
Art by the Falls 2026 ↗
Valley Art Center
Valley Art Center is accepting applications for its 42nd Annual Art by the Falls outdoor fine arts and contemporary crafts festival held June 6-7, 2026. This juried festival of 160+ artists draws 25,000+ patrons to Cleveland Metroparks Polo Field. Awards.
Emerging Artist Exhibition Proposals ↗
McDonough Museum of Art
Call for submissions from new and emerging visual and performing/performance artists to McDonough Museum of Art, YSU's Center for Contemporary Art. A wide range of perspectives is encouraged. Must live within a 250-mile radius of Youngstown.
Ongoing Call for Exhibition Proposals ↗
Heights Arts
Heights Arts is accepting proposals for guest curators and exhibitions year-round, from individuals as well as groups residing in Northeast Ohio.
Exhibition Proposals ↗
Kelvin Smith Library
The Kelvin Smith Library (KSL) Exhibition Program welcomes exhibition proposals from the Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) community and from outside community members and organizations. KSL has several exhibition spaces supporting different types of exhibitions, including exhibits featuring the visual arts.
Exhibition Opportunity ↗
Cleveland Botanical Garden
Seeking artists to exhibit work connected to and inspired by botanical and natural worlds in three galleries at the Cleveland Botanical Garden throughout the year.
#Cleveland #University Circle #no application fee #rolling submissions
Fiber Class Proposals ↗
Praxis Fiber Workshop
Accepting class proposals on an ongoing basis. We love learning new techniques and welcome proposals dealing with fiber at any stage. We encourage innovative and experimental ideas. Formats may be 1 or 2-day Workshops or 3-5 week classes.
Solo Exhibition Proposals ↗
Ashtabula Arts Center
Apply for a solo exhibition at Ashtabula Arts Center using their solo show application form.
House Gallery Artists ↗
The Red Twig
Apply to be a consigned artist at the in-house art gallery at The Red Twig. Featuring over 1,000 square feet of display space, the gallery houses a variety of creative local and regional artists whose mediums range from paintings to sculptures, woodworking, and custom jewelry.
Exhibition Proposals ↗
The Galleries at Cleveland State University
The Galleries at Cleveland State University welcome proposals from artists, curators, and organizations that support their mission to educate, edify, and involve diverse audiences by presenting content that promotes the understanding of art and its relationship to society.
#Cleveland #Downtown #no application fee #rolling submissions
Apply to exhibit: Yellow Door Gallery ↗
The Red Twig
Apply to exhibit at Yellow Door Gallery in The Red Twig. The Red Twig hosts solo or duo exhibitions of local artists in their 800-square-foot curated exhibition space, Yellow Door Gallery.
Exhibition Proposals ↗
FAVA
FAVA (The Firelands Association for the Visual Arts) is accepting proposals from artists interested in exhibiting their work or curators interested in curating an exhibition at FAVA.
#Oberlin #group exhibition #solo exhibition #rolling submissions
Class Proposals ↗
FAVA
FAVA is looking for instructors! If you are a teaching artist near Oberlin, Ohio, and want to submit a proposal to teach a class or a few classes or teach during summer camp, submit your info online.
Teaching Artists ↗
Art House
Art House is currently accepting resumes for artists teaching in a range of different media. Art House provides art programming to a variety of groups, including early childhood, school-aged children, adults, and seniors. Programs take place onsite and offsite. Art House partners with diverse organizations and businesses and customizes programs to fit their needs.
Exhibition Proposals ↗
Phone Gallery
Phone Gallery is accepting proposals for exhibitions. Phone Gallery is Cleveland’s smallest art gallery and a creative space for visual arts display, with an emphasis on exposing emerging visual artists to the Greater Cleveland community and providing the Collinwood community with freely accessible art.
#Cleveland #Waterloo / Collinwood #rolling submissions #solo exhibition
Photo Poets: Street Photography ↗
CAN Journal
CAN Journal, Cleveland's magazine of the visual arts seeks street photography for a new quarterly feature. For consideration, email: ajajoiphoto@gmail.com Submissions will be accepted on an ongoing basis.
Artist of the Month Feature ↗
Kaiser Studios
Kaiser Studios is accepting submissions for their Artist of the Month feature! Each Artist of the Month will have their artwork promoted across their social media, website, and e-newsletter. They're looking for local, regional, and national artists working in any medium. No application fee.
#Cleveland #Online #feature #no application fee #rolling submissions
Sell art at Fiddlehead Gallery ↗
Fiddlehead Gallery
Fiddlehead carries over 40 independent women artists whose work spans various styles and mediums. Fiddlehead always seeks new works, especially in the folk and upcycle categories. Fiddlehead purchases outright when possible and offers generous consignment contracts and commission requests. Interested in selling at Fiddlehead? Send email to info@fiddleheadgallery.com with an artist statement, bio, and examples of your work.
Featured Artist in Ohio's Arts Newspaper ↗
The Scribe
Submit your art to The Scribe newspaper! Once a month, The Scribe features Ohio artists, authors, writers, musicians, filmmakers and more. There's no cost or licensing, and it is entirely free for artists. The Scribe is Ohio's first state-wide arts newspaper, and is stocked in 17 Ohio cities.
Exhibition Proposals ↗
The School of Art at Kent State University
Propose an exhibition in the Kent State University School of Art Galleries, KSU Downtown Gallery, located at 141 East Main Street, Kent, Ohio.
Fresh A.I.R Gallery Exhibition Opportunities ↗
Fresh A.I.R Gallery
Fresh A.I.R. Gallery (Artists in Recovery) in downtown Columbus, Ohio, has supported artists in recovery since 2004 and is currently seeking art submissions for upcoming exhibitions. Their one-of-a-kind mission-based gallery exclusively showcases the work of artists affected by mental illness and/or substance use disorders or whose work is about those subjects.