Chapel Hill, NC is searching for its next Poet Laureate! Our Poet Laureate serves as an ambassador for poetry, fostering connections between all kinds of writers, poets, and creatives to enrich Chapel Hill’s social and civic life. This role inspires creativity and builds community by:

• Writing poems for special community moments
• Performing at festivals, events, & council meetings
• Creating community poetry experiences
• Facilitating workshops or trainings
• Meeting regularly with Town staff

Location
Chapel Hill, NC

Fees or awards
Stipends: $6,000 for selected poet; $200/finalist for proposals & interviews

The 31st annual season of the Twin Rivers Media Festival will celebrate this year screening the latest and greatest in independent features, documentaries, short and animated films. 28 countries were represented last year in the 60 films selected for screenings. The festival will screen winners on September 25th and 26th, 2026 at the Flood Fine Arts Center in Asheville, NC.

Two new categories will be featured this year highlighting:
Anti-War and Anti War-Tax films
Films By and About Asheville, NC

Location
Asheville, NC

Fees or awards
Submission fees vary. Submit early for lowest fees. 20% of all fees awarded to the different categories.

The Gibbes Museum and Society 1858’s Prize for Contemporary Southern Art is awarded to an artist whose work contributes to a new understanding of art in the South. Presented annually, the Prize recognizes the highest level of artistic achievement and welcomes applications from artist working across any media. Artists who reside, work in, or are from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia are encouraged and eligible to apply.

Location
Charleston, SC

Fees or awards
$35 non-refundable entry fee; $10,000 prize

This exhibition is called "Imposter". We're looking for art that isn't quite what it seems. ALL mediums are welcome, but you must use the medium in a way that is NOT the intended purpose OR it must mimic a different material. The Imposter Exhibition Opening Ceremony will be held at Eikon Gallery on October 2, 2026. The exhibition will run from October 2 - October 16, 2026.

You may submit up to 2 pieces and must be present at the ceremony to receive one of the cash prizes.

Location
Asheville, NC

Fees or awards
Entry fee is $20/piece. There will be a $300 First Place cash prize, a $150 Second Place cash prize, and a $150 People's Choice cash prize.

Summer 2026 open for submissions — Innovate Grant is thrilled to introduce our newly increased award amounts of $1,800. Innovate Grant awards (2) $1,800 grants each quarter, to one Visual Artist and one Photographer. Our newly increased $1,800 grants act as mighty sparks of financial support that ignite your creative development.

Fees or awards
$35 application fee

The 2026 Southeastern Art Show and Market (SEASAM) and SEASAM Youth will be October 2nd - 3rd on the Chickasaw Nation Historic Capitol Building grounds in Tishomingo, Oklahoma. The competition art show and market is open to artists from federally recognized Southeastern tribes. The deadline for entry for adults is August 29th and September 18th for youth.

Location
Tishomingo, OK

Fees or awards
There will be awards for both adult and youth categories, including Best of Show.

 🗓 October 16 - 25, 2026
📍 Lecce, MUST - Museo Storico della Città di Lecce
⏳ Deadline: September 21, 2026 (11.59 PM your local time)

“Every piece of art tells a story made up of emotions, memories and experiences that are part of the lived of each artist”.

Dr. Carmela Loiacono, Art Historian and Independent Curator is opening submissions for the International Art Exhibition STORIES OF IDENTITY | The 3rd Edition 2026.

Location
Lecce, Italy

Fees or awards
The submission proposal is free.
A participation fee is required only for selected artists.

Are you a performing artist, singer, or songwriter who has wondered how songs end up in movies, TV shows, commercials, podcasts, or video games? Curious about what sync licensing is and how it can create new opportunities for your music?

Sync licensing is the process of licensing music for use in film, television, advertising, video games, podcasts, and other visual media. It has become one of the fastest-growing revenue streams for independent musicians.

Join manager Billy Maupin for an introduction to the world of sync licensing. You'll learn how the industry works, who the key players are, what music supervisors are looking for, and practical steps you can take to prepare your catalog for licensing opportunities. There will be time provided for Q&A, so that attendees can share and learn from discussing real issues facing musicians in the sync industry.

Event details
Tuesday, September 22nd
12:00 - 1:30 PM
Zoom

Fees or awards
Early bird pricing through August 25th: $10
General pricing August 26th through September 22nd: $15

Drinking Gourd Gallery is seeking submissions for "M" is for Menopause, our annual group exhibition. This non-juried show raises awareness about menopause and offers information to challenge the myths, stereotypes and stigma surrounding the menopausal journey. We’re looking for works reflecting each artist’s unique vision, technique, and perspective related to the theme. Submissions can be 2D or 3D to include paintings, drawings, mixed media, collages, digital art, textile art, and photography.

Location
Fuquay-Varina, NC

Fees or awards
No fee

Chapel Hill is looking for a Triangle-based artist or team to design and install outdoor murals at the newly reconstructed skate park at Homestead Park. The murals will be on two exterior walls of a building, with total areas of 285 square feet and 276 square feet. The mural design and style should reflect skate culture. The selected artist(s) will work with ~10 high school students and their art teacher to finalize their design and install the murals.

Location
Chapel Hill, NC

Fees or awards
$20,000 stipend for selected artist/team; $750 stipend for each finalist