Calls for Artists
Browse our curated list of juried exhibitions, solo shows, group shows, festivals, and more calls for artists in Northeast Ohio.
Bi-Annual Members Show ↗
Heights Arts
Heights Arts invites you to submit one piece of artwork to be part of their member exhibition. All members are eligible, and this year’s show promises to be a vibrant celebration of local creativity. Submissions for the first 40 artists.
Artists for the Art Alley ↗
Garford Arts Fest
Garford Arts Fest seeks artists to fill the alley with art! Garford Arts Fest takes place August 16 from 4-9pm at the scenic East Falls Riverwalk. Art Alley will take place on Tremont St, with an entrance from Kerstetter Way.
DEADLINE: July 18th, 2025
Paul and Norma Tikkanen Painting Prize ↗
Ashtabula Arts Center
Call for painters! Enter the 2025 Juried Painting Exhibition at Ashtabula Arts Center. $44K+ in prizes. Open to select OH & PA counties. Entry fee: $15/piece (max 2). Apply online from June 1 to July 18 with high-resolution images. Exhibition opens Oct 4, 2025.
I Stand For ___Fest ↗
Quest 4 the Fest
Open call for participation for the community project called Preserving Cultures for Quest for the Fest's "I STAND FOR _____ FEST" at SPACES. Make something creative inside the jar of something you want to preserve, care for, safe-keep or support. Contact lizmaugins@gmail.com for template and instructions to participate.
DEADLINE: July 25th, 2025
Anne Kibbe Residency Program for Women 2025 ↗
Future Ink Graphics FIG
Future Ink Graphics (FIG) is accepting applications for the 2025 Anne Kibbe Residency, a fully-funded opportunity for one woman-identifying artist to explore digital arts, silkscreen printing, and community engagement. The art residency will take place from Sept. 2 - Nov. 26, 2025.
DEADLINE: July 26th, 2025
40th Annual Juried Exhibition ↗
Cuyahoga Valley Art Center
Cuyahoga Valley Art Center (CVAC) invites local artists to participate in their 40th Annual Juried Exhibition, a celebration of exceptional creativity within our community. They are seeking submissions that demonstrate artistic excellence, originality, and technique across seven unique categories. Submission period: Friday, July 25, 2025, 10-3 pm and Saturday, July 26, 2025, 10-2 pm
September Open Studios ↗
Screw Factory
Screw Factor is accepting vendor applications for their most anticipated art event of the season. Showcase your work, connect with a vibrant community, and share the spotlight with their incredible resident artists. Friday, Sept 26 and Saturday, Sept 27.
Vendors for Art & Craft Markets ↗
Shoreway Events
Seeking artists/crafters to vend at the Shoreway Events 2025 Art & Craft Markets. Market dates are April 26, May 31, June 21, July 12, August 16, and October 4. Email shorewayevents@gmail.com
DEADLINE: August 8th, 2025
Downtown Willoughby's Fifth Annual Chalkfest (with special guest David Zinn) ↗
Willoughby Arts Collaborative
The Willoughby Arts Collaborative invites you to bring your creativity to the streets for their 5th Annual Chalkfest! Two categories of participants: Adult and Kids. Prizes!
DEADLINE: August 10th, 2025
AU Alumni Art & Design Exhibition ↗
Ashland University
Ashland University art & design alumni are invited to participate in the 2025 AU Art & Design Alumni Exhibition from October 9-October 31, 2025 at the Coburn Art Gallery. Open to ALL mediums including graphic design.
DEADLINE: August 11th, 2025
Legends of the Wild Murals ↗
Akron Zoo
The Akron Zoo is seeking a muralist to create two murals for updated habitats featuring South American animals such as tamarins, saki monkeys, birds, and tortoises. The murals will replace existing Madagascar-themed artwork and must depict the South American rainforest using durable, scrub-resistant materials. The project runs from January 2 to March 25, 2026, with annual touch-ups required through 2032. Budget: $10,000–$13,000.
DEADLINE: August 17th, 2025
Lead a Workshop ↗
Genghis Con
Apply to lead a drawing-focused workshop at Genghis Con 2025, to be held November 30th, 2025. Workshop leaders will be compensated with a $100 (per workshop) stipend for their work. As a small press and independent comics convention, we are seeking educational workshops that will benefit our local comics-making, writing, and drawing ecosystem through hands-on experiences.
DEADLINE: August 25th, 2025
Curatorial Qualifications for 2028 Exhibitions ↗
Ohio Arts Council
The Ohio Arts Council’s Riffe Gallery invites curators to submit qualifications for a 2028 exhibition that celebrates the talent and diversity of Ohio’s professional artists. Proposals should reflect strong curatorial experience, a clear conceptual vision, and a commitment to representing artists from across the state. Selected curators will collaborate with the gallery director to develop a 10-week show and receive a $3,500 honorarium.
DEADLINE: August 28th, 2025
Solo or two-person exhibitions ↗
Massillon Museum
MassMu is seeking applicants for solo or two-person exhibitions in Studio M gallery in the 2027/2028 season. Artists whose exhibitions are selected will also be featured in the Museum's podcast, MassMusings. The proposal deadline is August 28, 2025.
DEADLINE: August 28th, 2025
Student/Recent Grad Solo Exhibitions ↗
Massillon Museum
MassMu is seeking applicants for our student solo exhibitions in Studio M gallery in the winter of 2026. The proposal deadline is August 28, 2025. Artists whose exhibitions are selected will also be featured in the Museum's podcast, MassMusings. The application is open to any junior, senior, or recent graduate who is a Studio Art major (BA, BFA, MFA candidate, or recent graduate) attending a college or university in Northeast Ohio.
DEADLINE: August 31st, 2025
Cleveland + Akron Bazaar Holiday 2025 ↗
Cleveland Bazaar
Cleveland Bazaar invites artists/makers to apply to all currently-scheduled holiday Bazaar shows in 2025. Cleveland Bazaar is northeast Ohio's longest-running indie handmade holiday popup.
DEADLINE: September 7th, 2025
Aggregate III: Avalanche of Talent ↗
Kent State University
All artists living in the United States working in any medium are invited to submit work to Aggregate III, an exhibition that seeks to bring together and highlight the wide array of talents throughout the country. Cash prizes. Show Dates: October 10 – November 29, 2025, reception: October 10, 5 – 7 p.m.
Curatorial or Group Exhibition Proposals ↗
Morgan Conservatory
Morgan Conservatory has an open call for Curatorial or Group Exhibition proposals on a rolling basis. Open to Northeast Ohio artists and curators. Emerging artists and curators are strongly encouraged to apply.
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.
Exhibition Proposals ↗
McDonough Museum of Art
The McDonough Museum of Art invites submissions from artists with a proven exhibition history. All concepts selected for exhibition should be aligned with the mission and goals of the McDonough Museum of Art.
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.
Group or Solo Show Proposals ↗
Young's Art Center
Young's Art Center is booking group and solo shows for local artists. Open to all visual art. Special interest in immersion, multi-media, installation, augmented reality, and interactive works. Work must be for sale. No fee to apply.
#Fairview Park #group exhibition #solo exhibition #rolling submissions
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
Apply for a Solo Exhibition ↗
Patina Arts Centre
Apply for a solo art exhibit at Patina Arts Centre in Canton, Ohio. Solo exhibits offer artists a platform to showcase their work in-depth, gain exposure, and connect with art enthusiasts, collectors, and gallery representatives.
#Canton #solo exhibition #group 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 ↗
UNDERSTORY
UNDERSTORY, an artist-run exhibition space at 78th Street Studios, is accepting exhibition proposals from artists and curators with a connection to Northeast Ohio. No submission fee or exhibition fee.
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
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 Opportunities ↗
Brownhoist Gallery
Brownhoist Gallery has openings for exhibitions! The gallery is situated inside the Brownhoist building, which is a big, beautiful, historic office building now home to a creative community. DM @thebrownhoistgallery on Instagram or email Gallery@TheBrownhoist.com. Opening/closing reception rental and curation fees apply. 30% commission on sales.