The Buncombe County America250 NC Committee invites Buncombe County artists and designers to participate in the "Beyond the Liberty Tree" Commemorative Tree Plaque Design Competition. This initiative celebrates the 250th anniversary of the United States by commissioning a commemorative plaque design that honors the enduring legacy of liberty through tree plantings.

Submissions will be reviewed by a selection panel representing the Buncombe County America 250th Committee.

Artists must now submit an email to info@buncombe250.org on or before December 28th to share their intent in participating. 

Fees or awards
The winning artist may, at the sole discretion of America250 NC, enter into a contract to produce 100 commemorative plaques to accompany the 100 BLT commemorative tree plantings statewide.The estimated contract for design and fabrication is valued at $10k

The DownEast National Juried Sculpture Exhibition is located in Pitt County, North Carolina. This exhibition is open to all artists ages 18 and up. Sculpture is the three-dimensional artwork which is physically presented in the dimensions of height, width and depth. Any three-dimensional media or material is eligible to participate. Indoor submissions must fit through a standard sized door (36”x80”). Work must be ready for display. All entries must be submitted digitally. Work submitted that is above our insurance value may not be accepted into the exhibition. All work must be able to be exhibited for the length of the exhibition, March 6-28, 2026.

Each artist may submit up to 6 entries. Artists are required to submit 3 entries for a fee of $20, with the option to submit 3 additional entries at $5 each. There is a limit of 6 entries per artist.

2 grants for emerging contemporary visual artists in Western North Carolina and Colorado.

Award
$50,000 unrestricted; no entry fee

Professional development resources, business skills training, one-on-one mentorship, and industry talks.

Applications open December 15, 2025 in CaFÉ and will be reviewed by a panel of 5 jurors. Awards will be announced mid-February 2026.

A North Carolina Choreographic Fellowship (NCCF) in Dance provides immersive creative time and space to select North Carolina based dance artists.

Launched in 2023, and available to North Carolina choreographers and dancemakers, awardees receive the rare opportunity of uninterrupted time and space in an inspiring setting to create their next great work, along with a variety of supportive financial benefits.

The length of the Fellowship is seven to nine days and the choreographer can be joined by 1-4 additional dancers/collaborators. Depending on funding, Trillium Arts will support up to three Fellowships either between September 1 - October 15, 2026 or May 15 – June 30. 2027. Specific dates WITHIN those timeframes can be somewhat flexible.

Awards and fee
$1,000 honorarium

Blue Koi Gallery highlights artists whose work shows originality, strong direction. If you’re ready for your work to be seen and promoted to a wider audience, we invite you to submit your best images to the Artist of the Month Art Competition. Open worldwide to artists 18+. All mediums and skill levels welcome.

Fees or awards
Entry fee is $15, Cash and promotional awards

Central Piedmont is holding open artist calls for artist to exhibit at one of our 8 academic galleries! Both 3D and 2D exhibitions are welcome! You can apply by going on the Central Piedmont Website and under the Community and Arts tab there is an art galleries tab which will display drop down information where you can locate the artist calls form and where each gallery is located within Charlotte.

Location
Charlotte, North Carolina

This new Summer Keyholder Residency Program offers emerging artists free 24-hour access to printmaking facilities to develop new work and foster their artistic careers. It takes place in the LESP's Community Studio, including the solvent/etching area and darkroom.


Keyholders work independently, in a productive atmosphere alongside other contemporary artists. Artists from all disciplines are eligible to apply; some familiarity with the medium is required. Artists with specific printmaking projects are highly encouraged apply.

Applications are evaluated by an invited panel of artists, critics, curators, and art professionals.

Residency Period: June 1, 2026 - August 31, 2026 

Location
New York, New York

Fees or awards
$500 stipend

Wayne Art Center seeks applications for the 18th Annual Wayne Art Center Plein Air Festival. Invited Artists will stay and paint in a 35-mile radius of Wayne Art Center from May 3-9, 2026. All paintings remain on exhibit through June 20, 2026.

Location
Wayne, Pennsylvania

Fees
$50 application fee; $25,000+ in cash and industry awards
 

Help us celebrate over 30 years of conservation in North Carolina. Conservation Trust for North Carolina was established in 1991 to advance the pace of land conservation in the state. The Blue Ridge Parkway launched our conservation journey and today is the backbone of our work to achieve a resilient future statewide.  

This year, we’re launching our first ever digital art contest, in celebration of the species, landscapes, and vistas found along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Western North Carolina. Open to both professional and amateur artists (16+) statewide, your art has a voice in our story. To enter, create a unique original design celebrating a native species, landscape, or trail in Western North Carolina.  

Your art will be shared with over 20,000 people through our social media, as well as in our web gallery, and in external communications, all with full attribution for your work. You may also see your design on a limited edition gift for our Conservation Celebration sponsors in 2026. No entry fees are required.  

Awe Snapp invites global artists (18+) in 2D and 3D media to enter its annual awards. Win your share of $1,000 in cash and prizes, plus digital awards, gallery features, social media promotion, and global exposure to curators and collectors. Prizes of $250, $150, and $100 are awarded in Traditional and Photography categories. Submit original, high-res images (no watermarks).

Fees or awards
Fees: $20 Early Bird (by Sept 30, 2025), $30 Standard (by Mar 31, 2026)