Artist Opportunities
See below for various calls for artists and employment opportunities in the D.C. area and sometimes beyond. Check this page often for updates.
If you have a question about an opportunity, please contact the administrator for each individual listing. If you have a call for artists or job opportunity you would like included in the next email, please complete this submission form.
Sign up to receive our Artist Opportunities alerts by email.
New Posts:
Arlington Arts is pro-actively looking out for resources to assist arts organizations, arts administrators and individual artists impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. The information below is to keep our artistic community updated on current resources available to assist you through the pandemic. Updates will be provided as new resources become available.
CALL TO ARTISTS: FY 2022 Arlington Arts Grant, Arlington, VA
INTENT TO APPLY DEADLINE: Sunday, January 10, 2021
FINAL APPLICATION DEADLINE: Monday, February 22, 2021
CALL TO ARTISTS: Shenandoah National Park Artist-in-Residence Program, Virginia
DEADLINE: Monday, January 18, 2021
ENTRY FEE: $10.00
Over the last century, artists have had an enduring connection with national parks. Their paintings and photographic records exposed these natural wonders to a population often unaware of their existence. Today, national parks continue to inspire artists. In turn, those artists create art that excites millions of people about national parks and builds awareness and fosters stewardship of these beautiful public lands and historic sites.
Shenandoah National Park’s Artist-in-Residence program offers professional artists a chance to live and work in this exceptional environment. The works completed during the program will serve, through the creativity of the selected artists, to deepen the understanding and appreciation of Shenandoah National Park.
CALL FOR ARTISTS: The National Portrait Gallery’s 2022 Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition, Washington, DC
DEADLINE: Friday, January 29, 2021
The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery is accepting submissions for its sixth triennial Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition. The competition focuses on broadening the definition of portraiture and aims to bring together works that attend to the country’s diversity and other conditions that shape the individual and collective identities of artists and sitters. Founded in 2006, the competition is made possible by the Virginia Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition Endowment, established by Virginia Outwin Boochever and continued by her children.
CALL TO ARTISTS, WRITERS, POETS: Golden Haiku, Golden Triangle District, Washington, DC
DEADLINE: Sunday, February 7, 2021
AWARDS: UP TO $500
Now in its eighth year, the Golden Haiku competition is an opportunity to connect globally and regionally with others by sharing and celebrating hope through words. New this year is an addition of a youth category, inviting students to explore haiku and perhaps become published poets.
Winning haiku — along with a selection of honorable mentions — will be displayed in tree boxes along some of Washington, DC’s most iconic streets, promoted online, and awarded prizes of up to $500.
CALL FOR ARTISTS: Those Spaces Between Us exhibition, Target Gallery, Alexandria, Virginia
DEADLINE: Friday, February 5, 2020
Target Gallery invites artists to submit their work for consideration to a new digital and in-person exhibition Those Spaces Between Us. This all-media group exhibition will explore concepts of liminal or transient spaces and how we occupy them or, conversely, how we do not. This exhibition will present an introspective view on how spaces can offer a physical embodiment of ambiguity and transition, creating a narrative how we as people move through them.
The juror for this opportunity is Nikki Brugnoli, Virginia-based artist, educator, and curator. Please review the application and prospectus for submission guidelines
CALL FOR ARTISTS: March150 Panel Sales, Target Gallery, Alexandria, Virginia
DEADLINE: Sunday, February 7 or while supplies last
March150, Target Gallery’s annual special exhibition and art sale, returns with all proceeds going to support new exhibitions and programs at Target Gallery and Torpedo Factory Art Center!
Open to all (provided the artwork submitted meets the guidelines). This is a great way to support your local art scene and also to participate in this unique exhibition experience. A $15 fee per panel guarantees entry into the exhibition. There is a limit of three entries per artist. Entry fee is non-refundable.
CALL TO ARTISTS, WRITERS, POETS: Words in Motion Poetry Contest, City of Alexandria, Virginia
DEADLINE: Friday, February 12, 2021, at 5 p.m.
The City of Alexandria and the Alexandria Transit Company join forces for the 2021 DASHing Words in Motion poetry contest. Applications are open to writers and poets ages 16 years or older who live, work, or study in Alexandria. Winning poems will be displayed on DASH buses and trolleys during National Poetry Month in April 2021.
CALL TO ARTISTS: Call for Artists & Photographers – Innovate Grants, International Online Opportunity
DEADLINE: Thursday, March 18, 2021
AWARDS: $550.
Innovate Grant is now accepting submissions for the Winter 2021 cycle. Innovate Grant awards (2) $550.00 grants each quarter, to one Visual Artist and one Photographer. In addition to receiving a grant award, winners will be featured and recognized on our website and join a growing community of vibrant and talented artists.
JOB OPPORTUNITY: Presentation Designer, Politico, Arlington, VA
FULL TIME- OPEN UNTIL FILLED
Polictico is looking for a Presentation Designer to join our Marketing department who can harness design and creative strategy to plan and execute our internal and external facing work through presentations and pitch decks. You will play an active role in crafting the best possible story telling experiences for our potential clients and current clients, as well as the POLITICO brand through collaboration and independent creative projects.
JOB OPPORTUNITY: Audio Producer, Politico, Arlington, VA
FULL TIME-OPEN UNTIL FILLED
POLITICO is seeking an audio host-producer to serve the dual role of voicing and producing the exciting relaunch of its daily Playbook audio briefing.
CALL TO ARTISTS AND HUMANITIES BASED ORGANIZATIONS: FY21 FAB: Mortgage & Rent Relief (FAB-R) grant program, Washington, DC
DEADLINE: Friday, January 29, 2021, 11:59 pm ET
In accordance with the Arts and Humanities Capital Funding Emergency Amendment Act of 2020, the Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) has established the FY21 FAB: Mortgage & Rent Relief (FAB-R) grant program to assist DC-based arts and humanities organizations with rent or mortgage expenses. Funding is being offered in response to the financial impacts related to COVID-19 to help ensure arts and humanities organizations remain in place, vibrant, and viable to open when safe to do so.
CALL TO ARTISTS: Call for Art-FEMME, online
DEADLINE: Friday, February 26, 2021, 2:00 am
Art Fluent invites artists worldwide to submit artwork to our online exhibit, FEMME. JPEG’s due by February 26, 2021 at midnight (MST). Cash prizes. All accepted pieces will be displayed in our online gallery at www.art-fluent.com
FEMME- The enduring feminine spirit is diverse, ever-changing, a mystery, and beautiful all wrapped up into one. As far as art can remember, we have been drawn to the female archetype in all her complexities and contradictions. Her strength and vulnerabilities, her value, her abilities, and all of her possibilities. We seek artwork that celebrates women, their allure, and their place in humanity. Show us what FEMME means to you through your perspective.
CALL FOR POEMS: City of Takoma Park, MD
DEADLINE: Sunday, February 28, 2021
City residents can enter their short original poems in a contest from the City of Takoma Park’s Arts and Humanities Division. Winners will receive a $100 award and a chance to have their poem stamped into a local sidewalk. No poetry experience is needed. Just write a poem and enter it!
CALL TO ARTISTS: Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival, Reston Town Center
DEADLINE: Wednesday, March 31, $55 application fee; April 1-4, $60 application fee
EVENT DATES: Friday – Sunday September 10 – 12, 2021
$5,000 in cash awards will be distributed
Now in its 30th year, the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival has a long-standing reputation for showcasing high quality, hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind artwork in the dynamic, open-air setting of the Reston Town Center. It attracts affluent patrons and knowledgeable collectors from the Washington, DC metropolitan region and beyond. The elevated profile of the Festival reaches new audiences, area businesses, and partners with cultural institutions to provide a content-rich, arts-focused experience. The Festival has received acclaim from many media outlets including The Washington Post. This year, the beloved, open-air event will implement new health and safety adaptations for the care and consideration all.
Previous Posts:
CALL TO ARTISTS: RFQ: Winter Passages Temporary Public Art Project, Alexandria, VA
DEADLINE: Friday, January 15, 2021, 6 p.m. EST
FEE: $5,000.
We are looking for artists of just about any type who would like to create small installations along Alexandria’s trail system that explore the experience of winter — light, color, wind, sound, etc. The fee is $5,000, and artists should be able to install in late winter. This call is open only to artists from Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. It’s a perfect opportunity for emerging artists who are looking for a first public art commission.
Call to Artists: Call for Art-STAND – online
DEADLINE: Friday, January 22, 2021, 02:00 am
Art Fluent offers opportunities to artists worldwide through juried exhibitions throughout the year. As steadfast supporters of the arts, our aim is to connect art lovers directly with artists and vice versa. A portion of the proceeds from the entry fees are donated to organizations committed to the arts and supporting artists. Art Fluent invites artists worldwide to submit artwork to our online exhibit, STAND.
THEME
STAND-Here we stand at the intersection of art and politics, surrounded by challenges of injustice, inequities, neglect, movements, protest, and so much more. We take a stand on issues that we feel passionate about. When enough is enough, and the matter needs to be given a voice. We seek images that evoke the broad range of issues that are happening in this extraordinary time. Where do you stand? Show us what STAND means to you through your perspective.
CALENDAR
JPEGs due by Friday, January 22, 2020.
Notification of acceptance and online gallery opening Friday, February 19, 2020.
AWARDS
All accepted pieces will be displayed in our online gallery at www.art-fluent.com
First Place: $500
Second Place: $200
Third Place $100
Call to Artists: Into the Woods – Cultural Center of Cape Cod, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
DEADLINE: Friday, February 19, 2021, 05:00 pm
EXHIBITION DATES (in gallery): March 31-April 25, 2021
The woods are calling! What is it about the mystery of the woods that calls us in? The change of shape and shade within each season. It brings us gifts of blazing color in the fall after the heat of summer and marks the precious first signs of spring after the weight of winter. The Woods truly have their own personality and energy. What is it about the woods that moves you? Show us Into the Woods from your perspective.
ENTRY FEE
$20 for first entry/$5 for each additional entry, you may enter up to 20 total. Payment is non-refundable and does not guarantee acceptance.
AWARD
$250 for Director’s Choice.
PUBLIC ART AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES: Americans for the Arts maintains both a Public Art and Job Opportunities webpages.
Learn More about public art opportunities
Learn More about job opportunities
JOB OPPORTUNITY: Executive Director, Martha’s Vineyard Museum, Martha’s Vineyard, MA
DEADLINE: open until filled
Martha’s Vineyard Museum (MVM) is a century-old historical and cultural museum that has collected art, artifacts, oral histories, documents, and photographs that help tell the stories of Martha’s Vineyard from its prehistoric stage to the present. Committed to inspiring all people to discover, explore, and strengthen their connections to the island and its diverse heritage, MVM is the leading cultural and historic institution on the island. A venue for ongoing surprise and discovery, the museum offers thought-provoking programming, exhibits, and educational opportunities for children and adults. As historians and storytellers, MVM strives to provide a framework for understanding the past in order to create a better future. Every visit to the museum, like every visit to the island, surprises, challenges, delights, and leaves lasting memories.
ARTIST OPPORTUNITIES: The Maryland State Arts Council Online Resource Bulletin, updated weekly and maintained by Maryland Art Place, includes regional, national, and international exhibition opportunities, grants, fellowships, residencies and information on available studio spaces in the area. To post your call for entry, email Caitlin Gill at caitlin@mdartplace.org
DEADLINE: Ongoing
JOB OPPORTUNITY: PLAZA ART- Fairfax, VA
DEADLINE: OPEN UNTIL FILLED
Openings for Sales Associate and Key Holder and other positions throughout the US
JOB OPPORTUNITY: Executive Director, Flynn Center for the Performing Arts, Burlington VT
DEADLINE: open until filled
The Flynn Center for the Performing Arts (Flynn) is located in downtown Burlington, Vermont, and has been at the center of Vermont’s cultural landscape throughout its 90-year history. The Flynn is internationally recognized for the caliber of its presentations; significant artistic, educational, and community outreach activities; superb technical capacity; beautiful ambiance; and sound fiscal management. More than 200,000 people annually attend the Flynn, enjoying a wide variety of performances by local, national, and international artists.
The Flynn’s mission is to encourage the enjoyment, understanding, and development of the performing arts in Vermont through diverse and engaging artistic experiences. It is committed to making a positive impact and providing a world-class experience. The Flynn believes in the transformative power of the performing arts to unify, strengthen, and inspire the community. Art ignites curiosity, fuels imagination, and invites discovery of new and different experiences, diverse cultures, and artistic genres.
AN EXTENSIVE DIRECTORY OF FOUNDATIONS called ‘Foundation Directory Online Essentials’ can be accessed remotely without an Arlington Public Library card. It can be found via https://library.arlingtonva.us/ >Research >Research Tools A-Z>Foundation Directory Online Essentials.
FREE USE ACCESS ENDS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS; ARTIST ROSTER FOR WALL PROJECTS, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD
DEADLINE: rolling
The Artist Roster for Wall Projects (Roster) connects pre-qualified local artists residing in the Greater Washington area to commissions for wall projects in Montgomery County. The Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County (AHCMC) seeks muralists, as well as artists who work in mosaic, tile, low-relief and other installation media suitable for temporary or permanent installation on exterior walls for the Roster. Montgomery County-based ALAANA Artists (African, Latinx, Asian, Arab, and Native American) are encouraged to apply.
CALL FOR ARTISTS: Arlington Public Library Exhibitions Call, Arlington, VA
DEADLINE: None Listed
The Arlington Public Library is committed to displaying works of art and craft created by and/or of interest to the Arlington community. We exhibit solo and group shows of local artists submitted through the online application process.
CALL FOR ARTISTS: Arlington Public Schools Humanities Project Artist Roster Application, Arlington, VA
DEADLINE: None Listed
The Humanities Project is Arlington County’s artist-in-education program that sponsors performances, workshops and residencies for students in Arlington County’s public schools and provides professional development opportunities for teachers.
If you have a program, workshop and/or performance that you feel would benefit the students and/or teachers in Arlington, the Humanities Project encourages you to apply.
Applications can be submitted at any time. Applications will be reviewed in the spring of each year. If you have any questions, please contact the Humanities Coordinator at 703-228-6299.
UPCYCLE REUSE ARTIST MATERIAL SHOP, Alexandria, VA
DEADLINE: None
Durant Arts Center, 1605 Cameron St., Alexandria, VA 22314 | 703-861-8705
Free Parking
Metro: King Street-Old Town
Creative reuse is the process of taking used or recyclable materials and turning them into works of art, home decoration or other useful objects. At UpCycle, we rethink our notion of waste, collecting cast-offs from our community to serve as creative art materials. We collect, organize and prep items for use in a variety of creative capacities.
Visit our reuse shop for all of your creative needs! Our inventory is affordable, dynamic and always changing. Materials memberships are available on a daily (fill a bag for a flat fee) or annual basis (unlimited access to our materials for a period of one year).
Stop in to see what’s in store for you today.