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.

The International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD) hosts its 37th Annual International Conference and Festival of Blacks in Dance – The Third Coast, Our Community in Motion – in Chicago, Illinois, January 20 – 24, 2027, in partnership with The Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project and Deeply Rooted Dance Theater. Continuing its legacy as the broadest international gathering of Black Dance professionals, agents, artistic directors, artists, choreographers, company managers, executive directors, historians, presenters, scholars, teachers, and many others, the conference and festival remains the most diverse place to share ideas, cultures and experiences. 

IABD is currently seeking proposals for performances, speaking opportunities, and more to present at the upcoming conference and festival. Find details of opportunities at their website.

Location
Chicago, IL

 🗓 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

You know video matters, but it just feels like too much. Whether you need promotional videos for grant applications, show juries, booking agencies or festival committees, it can seem overwhelming. This workshop shows you a simple three-step way to create short promotional videos that help people notice your work, understand what you do, and take the next step, whether that’s buying your art or signing up for a class.

This event covers:

• A 3-step structure that makes videos clear and effective
• What to say (so you don’t freeze or ramble)
• How to film with simple tools you already have
• How to use these videos to promote your art, classes, or events

Event details
Thursday, September 24th
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Zoom

Fees or awards
No registration fee

Calling all creatives, school-aged artists and seasoned professionals! Expand your vision of the Beatles' influence on music, art and culture.

FabFest-Charlotte's Beatles Festival aims to inspire different generations and cultures to come together through the music of the Beatles. From psychedelic style to cultural revolution, the Beatles helped shape the 1960s and beyond, and their music, messages and legacy continue to inspire new generations of artists. We’re looking for art that interprets how the Beatles influenced and were influenced by the world around them — all the themes of the era are fair game!

Event details
Saturday, October 3, 2026 from 10 am - 5 pm
Parr Center, Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC

Fees or awards
Entry fees vary by number of works submitted: $20 for one artwork, $35 for two artworks, etc. *Fees waived for youth artists. Cash prizes totaling over $3,500 include Adult Best in Show: $1,000 and Youth Best in Show: $250.

The Battleship North Carolina Memorial has launched the Battleship North Carolina License Plate Art Contest, a statewide competition open to North Carolina residents of all ages and abilities. The winning artwork could inspire the design of the Battleship’s future custom North Carolina specialty license plate, pending approval by the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles. Artists are asked to submit original work depicting or interpreting the Battleship North Carolina and its significance as the state’s official World War II memorial.

Artwork may be created using digital design, illustration, painting, mixed media or other forms of human-created artwork. Entries should be suitable for use on a North Carolina license plate.

Fees or awards
$20 entry fee/design (up to two design entries per artist) OR secure five verified license plate pre-orders from family, friends, or supporters. Cash prizes will be awarded to First Place ($1,000), Second Place ($500), Third Place ($250), and People’s Choice ($100) recipients.