Calls for Artists
Browse our curated list of juried exhibitions, solo shows, group shows, festivals, and more calls for artists in Northeast Ohio.
DEADLINE: April 15th, 2026
ALT ST MKT May 2026 ↗
Alt Street Market
Alt Street Market seeks high-quality artists, makers, and authors who create spooky, horror, indie, eclectic, macabre, oddities, quirky, colorful, vintage, and upcycled wares for their May 2, 2026 indoor market at Summit County Fairgrounds Arena in Tallmadge.
#Tallmadge #Summit County #market #indoor #juried exhibition #art fair #vendor-application
DEADLINE: April 15th, 2026
Lake Side Mystic Vendors ↗
Lake Side Flea
Lake Side Mystic will be held July 11, 2026, from noon to 4pm at Headlands Beach in Mentor, Ohio. Apply to vend. Dozens of vendors, food trucks + sweet treats, live music, more all happening alongside the Lake Erie Sand Sculpture Festival.
DEADLINE: April 17th, 2026
89th National Midyear Exhibition ↗
The Butler Institute of American Art
DEADLINE EXTENDED - The 89th National Midyear Exhibition presents two-dimensional and relief works by contemporary artists 18 years and older who reside within the United States or its territories. Exhibition Dates: July 12 – August 20, 2026. Juror: Dr. Louis A. Zona, Director Emeritus of The Butler Institute of American Art
DEADLINE: April 24th, 2026
80th Ohio Annual Exhibition ↗
Zanesville Museum of Art
Zanesville Museum of Art invites artists submit work to this competitive, juried exhibition. Open to all artists, in all stages of their career, 18 years of age and over, who presently live in or have previously lived in the state of Ohio. All works must be original, completed in the last two years, and not previously exhibited at the ZMA.
DEADLINE: April 24th, 2026
"Commemorating America 250" Juried Exhibition ↗
Ohio Arts Council
The Ohio Arts Council (OAC) in partnership with the Friends of the Library and Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) will present the annual Ohio Artist Registry Juried exhibition, featuring work from artists who are members of the Ohio Artist Registry (OAR). The 2026 exhibition will be themed “Commemorating America 250” honoring the nation’s 250th anniversary by exploring America’s history, culture, and future through the perspectives of Ohio artists. Open to Ohio visual artists with an active profile in the Ohio Artist Registry.
DEADLINE: April 25th, 2026
Membership Exhibition ↗
Cuyahoga Valley Art Center
This juried showcase invites CVAC Members to share their best work across seven categories: Watercolor Media, Water-Based Media, Oil-Based Media, Dry Media, Mixed Media, 3-Dimensional Media, and Photographic Media. Exhibition is April 28 – June 4, 2026. Drop-off Dates: April 24 & 25. Cash prizes.
DEADLINE: April 26th, 2026
LAKE EFFECT: Artists from Cleveland Now ↗
The Cleveland Museum of Art Transformer Station
In honor of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s 110th birthday, the CMA invites artists from the greater Cleveland area to submit proposals for a juried group exhibition titled Lake Effect: Artists from Cleveland Now. Lake Effect will be presented at the Cleveland Museum of Art Transformer Station, 1460 West 29th Street, July 9, 2026, through November 22, 2026. A grant of $1,000 will be awarded to three artists.
DEADLINE: April 29th, 2026
Water Barrel Wonders 2026 ↗
City of Mentor
City of Mentor, Ohio - Municipal Government and the Mentor Community Arts Commission are seeking local talent to bring these barrels to life for a city-wide summer celebration. Transform a rain barrel into a functional work of art and help us protect our beautiful Lake Erie! Stipend.
DEADLINE: April 30th, 2026
CIA Alumni + Faculty Open Call ↗
Museum of American Porcelain Art
CIA’s Cleveland Alumni Chapter is partnering with the @museumofamericanporcelainart(MAPA) to present a gallery exhibition featuring work by CIA alumni and faculty . Hosted at MAPA’s historic William E. Telling Mansion on view June 5–27, 2026, this juried exhibition celebrates the creative work of Cleveland Institute of Art alumni and faculty, with a special focus on ceramic art and select 2D, 3D, and video works.
DEADLINE: May 1st, 2026
2026 Utility Box Beautification Program ↗
Willoughby Arts Collaborative
The Willoughby Arts Collaborative invites artists to submit original 2D designs for utility box beautification in Willoughby. $100 stipend per selected artwork. Designs must be horizontal format, high-quality JPEG with minimum 5000 pixels. Entry fees: $20 for one entry, $35 for 2-3 entries.
#Willoughby #public art #commission #juried exhibition #stipend
DEADLINE: May 1st, 2026
Be Happy Block Party Festival ↗
INDI Media
You are invited to be a community vendor at the 6th annual Be Happy Block Party Festival on Saturday, July 18th. Early bird vendor slots are $35 and available until May 1st.
DEADLINE: May 1st, 2026
Mentor Farmers Market ↗
City of Mentor
The City of Mentor is now accepting vendor applications for the 2026 season which will be held Fridays, 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, June 12 through September 11, 2026. Artisans and crafters offering their own handmade products can participate on select dates throughout the season, including the Early Bird Market, Fantastic Fridays, the Harvest Market.
Season Eleven - Vendors ↗
Youngstown Flea
The Youngstown Flea a “Market For Makers” is accepting applications for #SeasonNine of it’s indoor/outdoor “Market For Makers” in the heart of downtown Youngstown. 2026 Regular Season Dates: 2/14, 3/14, 4/11, 5/9, 6/13, 7/4, 8/8, 9/5, 10/3, 11/7. Specialty Markets: 4/18 #FleaAtFrenzy, Sun. 5/10 #FleaAtFellows, Sun. 6/21 #MarketAtMorley, Sat. 7/25 #FleaBowl, Sat. 8/22 #Flea-And-O
DEADLINE: May 2nd, 2026
For the Love of the Land ↗
Pinwheel Gallery
Pinwheel Gallery is now accepting submissions for the big Summer Group Show. This large group show will feature local artists, who will be exploring their idea of "The Land", whether that be CleveLAND, or their backyard, or the whole planet. The show will run from June 5th through July 17th. No submission fee.
Pop Life One-month residency ↗
Pop Life
Pop Life is currently selecting artists to be featured for a one-month residency with work displayed and available for sale in our space, ending with a closing show during Walk All Over Waterloo. Currently accepting artist applications for May through September. Easy application.
DEADLINE: May 8th, 2026
(Virtual Gallery) Open Theme Group Exhibition ↗
Ajas Art Gallery
Aja's Art Gallery, a virtual art gallery, co-owned by Ohio Artist Aja Sheppard, is holding an Open Call to Ohio artists to their Open Theme Group Exhibition. The gallery celebrates all diverse and unique artistry. For this open call, they are particularly interested in pieces that hold meaning and speak volumes. Tell us a story, give us your truth. All artists must submit one piece of artwork and submit a low-cost submission fee of $10. Selected artists will keep 85% of all sales, while Aja's Art Gallery will take a small commission of 15%. Artists can expect acceptance or rejection letters to be sent out May 15th, 2026. The Virtual Group Exhibition will go live via their Instagram page and website June 1-June 30th, 2026.
DEADLINE: May 9th, 2026
Buy Us, For Us Spring Art Market ↗
threaded-soul-ricki-thomas-art
Threaded Soul & Ricki Thomas Art invite artists, crafters, and makers to participate in their first art market at The Pivot Center on May 30th, 2026 from 12pm-4pm. $35 vending fee for 8'x4' indoor space.
DEADLINE: May 31st, 2026
Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival ↗
greater-cleveland-urban-film-festival
Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival provides a platform for independent filmmakers, screenwriters, and actors from the African Diaspora. 5-day in-person and virtual event featuring films, educational opportunities, and dialogue on important issues.
DEADLINE: May 31st, 2026
Vendors for Taste of Tremont ↗
Tremont Arts & Cultural Festival
Taste of Tremont invites artists, makers, and local businesses to apply to join a vibrant day of community, creativity, and cuisine. Taste of Tremont is Sunday, July 19th on Professor Avenue, bringing thousands of visitors together to experience the very best of the neighborhood’s food, art, and culture.
DEADLINE: June 1st, 2026
5th Annual Emerging Young Artists Exhibition ↗
Valley Art Center
Valley Art Center invites artists ages 16-22 living in Northeast Ohio to submit one artwork for their annual exhibition. Exhibition runs July 10-August 26, 2026. $500 in cash prizes awarded. $5 entry fee.
#Chagrin Falls #Northeast Ohio #juried exhibition #exhibition #prize #young-artists
DEADLINE: June 1st, 2026
Floral & Landscape Exhibition ↗
Cuyahoga Valley Art Center
Celebrate the beauty of nature through art by entering CVAC’s Floral & Landscape Exhibition, a community favorite that highlights the expressive power of florals, landscapes, cityscapes, seascapes, and skylines. Exhibition dates: June 9 - July 23, 2026. Drop off dates June 5 & 6. Cash prizes.
DEADLINE: June 1st, 2026
Rocky River Fall Arts Festival 2026 ↗
Rocky River Parks and Recreation Foundation
The City of Rocky River wants to celebrate the talents of the Rocky River residents and highlight the merchants in the Old Detroit Shopping Area. The Rocky River Fall Arts festival takes place on Saturday, September 12, 2026 in the Old Detroit Shopping Area of Rocky River, Ohio.
Amherst Art Festival ↗
amherst-art-festival
Amherst Art Festival on September 9, 2026, seeks artists, handmade art/craft vendors, and performance acts. Apply by emailing your name/business name, type of work or performance, and relevant links to AmherstArtFest@gmail.com.
DEADLINE: June 3rd, 2026
Beachwood-Lyndhurst Art in the Village ↗
Howard Alan Events
Leading artists and fine crafters are invited to apply to the competitive art show in the affluent Cleveland suburb Lyndhurst-Beachwood held June 6-June 7 2026.
DEADLINE: June 15th, 2026
SHORT CUTS ↗
SHED Projects
SHORT CUTS is SHED Projects’ international short film festival October 1–4, 2026 centering experimental, artist-made films. They're accepting submissions of films 5 minutes or less from artists in any stage their practice.
DEADLINE: June 15th, 2026
Solo and Group Exhibition Proposals 2027/2028 ↗
Summit Artspace
Summit Artspace has calls open for group exhibitions and solo exhibitions to be held between July 2027 and June 2028. They are interested in highlighting a diverse range of artistic skill sets and backgrounds as well as diverse material and critical exploration. Must be 18+ for consideration. Artists must be living in Summit County or contiguous counties. No fee to apply.
DEADLINE: June 29th, 2026
Waterloo Arts Fest ↗
Waterloo Arts
Waterloo Arts is seeking unique and original art vendors for the Waterloo Arts Fest on Saturday, September 12, 2026. Art vendor applicants must be selling their own original and personally handmade art and goods. Space permitting, applicants will be considered on a rolling basis through June 29.
DEADLINE: June 30th, 2026
Rocky River Public Library Pride Fest Artist Alley ↗
Rocky River Public Library
Rocky River Public Library invites LGBTQIA2S+ artists and allies to sell original artwork at their fifth annual Pride Fest celebration. Family-friendly outdoor event with no application or table fees.
#Rocky River #festival #vendor-application #no application fee #outdoor #lgbtqia
DEADLINE: July 1st, 2026
2026 NewNow ↗
Artists Archives of the Western Reserve
The Artists Archives of the Western Reserve (AAWR) invites Ohio artists to submit work for consideration to the NewNow 2026, Northeast Ohio’s premier annual competitive art exhibition to be held September 3 – October 22, 2026. Juror: Jimmy Baker, an American mixed media painter, Associate Professor, and Head of the Painting and Drawing department at the Art Academy of Cincinnati.
DEADLINE: July 15th, 2026
Art Fair in the Square 2026 ↗
FAVA
Firelands Association for the Visual Arts (FAVA), in partnership with the City of Oberlin, Ohio, invites artists and craftspeople of all mediums to register for the 4th annual FAVA's Art Fair in the Square in Oberlin, Ohio’s historic downtown Tappan Square on September 12, 2026.
DEADLINE: September 4th, 2026
2026 Vendor Applications ↗
Cleveland Bazaar
Cleveland Bazaar’s 2026 applications are open, including holidays. In addition to twice a month events across from the West Side Market and our partnership with Happy Camper’s food truck festivals, they have added additional dates at 78th Street Studios’ Third Friday artwalks.
Ohio Plein Air Society Annual Art Challenge ↗
ohio-plein-air-society
The Ohio Plein Air Society invites artists to participate in their Annual Art Challenge, September 17-20, 2026 at Summit Artspace in Akron. Paint throughout Summit County over the weekend with final exhibition and judging by Charles Basham. Contact: Craig Staufer, 330.242.3545 or craig@craigstaufer.com
DEADLINE: October 1st, 2026
2027 Exhibition Opportunity ↗
The Arts Garage
The Arts Garage of Port Clinton is now accepting proposals for consideration of a 2027 exhibition. Every month there is a new exhibit installed with art from one or more artist in our central gallery space. They are seeking regional art for solo, paired and group theme exhibitions.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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 ↗
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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 ↗
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Solo Exhibition Proposals ↗
Ashtabula Arts Center
Apply for a solo exhibition at Ashtabula Arts Center using their solo show application form.
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.