Womansong of Asheville has announced a new songwriting contest, “Songs of Joy, Justice, and Community” to commemorate 40 years of singing together in Asheville.

The winning original song will be performed by Womansong, Asheville’s premiere social justice-oriented, treble-voice, community chorus. “Our goal is to support songwriters in our region, as well as to increase the repertoire of choral music that speaks to our mission of ‘singing together for joy, social justice, and community,’” said Allison Thorp, Artistic Director.

The contest will award the winner a stipend of $1,000 and the opportunity to perform a choral arrangement of the song with Womansong at their May 2027 concerts.

Location
Asheville, NC

Fees or awards
No fee to enter; $1,000 prize

Now in its third year, the Publisher Work Grant program offers funding to independent presses with a history of artists’ book publishing, acknowledging awardees’ accomplishments in past work and providing the capacity-building funds to enable future book projects and publisher sustainability. In 2026, three unrestricted grants of $10,000 USD will be awarded to three independent artists’ book publishers.

Applications will be reviewed by Printed Matter and a guest jury, taking into account past work and contributions of the imprint, the strength of upcoming projects outlined, and the potential impact of the award.

Fees or awards
No application fee

Take part in an exploration of Light and Shadow and how contrast shapes mood, reveals emotion, and transforms the way we experience art. Blue Koi Gallery invites artists worldwide to submit original 2D and 3D artwork that explores light, shadow, atmosphere, and visual tension. Selected works will be presented in a thoughtfully curated online exhibition, offering artists international exposure and professional recognition.

Fees or awards
Entry fee is $20; $150 cash award for first place as well as exhibition feature, social media promotion, and certificate offered to finalists

Artspace’s 12×12 Member Showcase is an annual celebration of the creativity of our incredible artist community while providing a unique opportunity for our patrons to add affordable works of original art to their collections during the holiday season. This is a non-juried exhibition open to Artspace Members, Studio Artists, and Staff. All works must be 12×12 inches in size, completed within the last three years, and priced at $100, $250, or $500.

Exhibition dates: Nov 6, 2026 – Jan 17, 2027

Location
Raleigh, NC

Fees or awards
No entry fee

The Southern Prize for Literature supports writers developing book-length manuscripts and represents one of the South’s largest recent investments in literary artists. One writer will receive a $25,000 unrestricted fellowship, and two runners-up will each receive $10,000 awards.

Fees or awards
$25 application fee

Literary Arts Project Grants offer up to $5,000 to literary organizations and small presses supporting contemporary poetry, fiction, creative and literary nonfiction, young readers’ literature, and drama.

Selected awardees will have the option to publish completed work in a summer 2027 edition of the Oxford American.

Fees or awards
South Arts will award up to $5,000 per project to eligible literary arts organizations and small presses.

Event details
Fri – Mon, Oct 16 – 19, 2026, from 4 - 8pm
Studio opens at 3pm for warm-up
*Attendees must attend all hours*

Location
ADF Scripps Dance Studios
721 Broad Street, 2nd Floor
Durham, NC 27705

Fees or awards
$125 registration fee

VAE invites artist groups to submit proposals for exhibitions to be held in the Birdland gallery space. We are seeking groups of 2–4 artists for a 6-week exhibition run, offering an opportunity to present cohesive, ambitious, or experimental work in a professional gallery setting. This opportunity is for creatives looking for the opportunity to build their skills in installation, curation, and exhibition management.

*Note* Because of the scarcity of gallery space in the area, we will not be doing solo shows in order to give more artists opportunities to exhibit.

Gallery Space: Birdland, 706 Mountford Ave., Raleigh, NC

Fees or awards
$250 stipend

Arts of the Pamlico invites artists to submit original works for the 62nd Annual Alice Hubbard Stallings Fine Arts Show in Washington, NC. This juried exhibition welcomes original art in a variety of media and offers more than $6,000 in cash awards. Artists may submit up to two works. Submission Day is November 1, 2026, with the exhibition opening on November 6.

Location
Washington, NC

Fees or awards
$50 entry fee for up to 2 pieces; $6,000+ in cash awards

Do you want to show the world the wonders of nature and contribute to its protection? Then don’t miss the opportunity to participate in The Nature Photography Contest, an international photography contest for professionals and amateurs. You can win cash prizes, international recognition and help plant trees. Enter https://thenaturephotocontest.com and find out how to participate. You have until November 15, 2026 to enter!

Fees or awards
Entry fee is €10 per photograph; awards include €2,000 in cash prizes, a trophy, and publication opportunities