Opportunities

The Sustainability Virtual Art Residency supports artists who imagine a more sustainable and equitable future. The program welcomes creators exploring the interconnected well-being of our lands, waters, oceans, and communities, along with the environmental, social, cultural, and economic systems that shape daily life.
8 weeks
2 invited speakers
Virtual Open Studio & Exhibition
Deadline: August 9th, 2026

Deadline: 08/10/26
Location: Online
Website: https://www.mokuartstudio.com/open-call-residency-programs-2026

We're looking for artists who are ready to grow, connect, and see what's possible. Applications are open now for The CU's sixth Incubator Cohort! This 18-month, studio-based residency brings a diverse group of artists together to work and learn in a dynamic open studio environment.

The Cedars Union creates a collaborative learning environment giving artists an opportunity to learn from and teach one another. At The Cedars Union, artists work as part of a cohesive community, applicants must have a dedication to community, their work, and a drive for a successful art career. The Cohort at The Cedars Union is a year-and-a-half long program (18 months) with access to a micro-studio in the studio hall along with 14 to 18 peers.

The program provides artists with affordable studio space, 24/7 access to tools, equipment, and an artistic community. Cohort members have access to all available amenities including fibers facilities, printmaking facilities, ceramics facilities, woodshop, computer labs, and a large array of tools, resources, and programming. The Cedars Union also provides hands-on training via workshops and demos, regular artist member critiques, and exhibition opportunities. Members are encouraged to take an active role in this collaboration with the ability to lead or participate in critiques, classes and workshops, events and projects, and various committees

Applicants will request a micro-studio size and upon acceptance enter into an 18-month lease commitment. Studios are designed in a variety of sizes and set ups ranging from 64 to 200 square feet, available in two distinct designs. All studios are available to rent at $1.60 per square foot. All studios are designed without doors and with low walls in order to reinforce core values of the Cohort program; collaboration, community, and visibility. Studio assignments are made based on applicant preference and jury scoring

Applicants for the Cohort program must be 18 or older and live within 75 miles of The Cedars Union (located in the Cedars neighborhood of Dallas). Selected Artists Start Date: Week of August 31st 2026, Program runs through February 27th, 2028 (18 months total).

The Cedars Union Cohort VI Incubator Program Jurors are:

• Emily Budd, SMU
• Christina Hahn, Cohort 4
• Thomas Feulmer, The Warehouse
• Ade Omotosho, DMA
• Ahava Silkey-Jones, Dallas College

Application Requirements:
Personal Identification Form
CV
Bio/Artist Statement
Statement of Intent
Diversity Statement
5 images of your work

Deadline: 6/13/26
Location: Dallas, TX
Website: https://www.cedarsunion.org/cohort-membership/

Houston Arts Alliance on behalf of Southwest Airlines and Houston Airports

Budget: $215,000.00 for the acquisition of multiple works of art
Deadline: Monday, June 01, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CST
Location: HOU Baggage Claim Corridor
Eligibility: Texas Artists

To submit, visit SUBMITTABLE LINK
Only applications sent via Submittable will be considered.

Summary
On behalf of Southwest Airlines and Houston Airports, Houston Arts Alliance requests the submissions of multiple two or three-dimensional artworks for direct purchase for the Houston Airports West Concourse Expansion Project at William P. Hobby Airport. The approved works will become a part of the City of Houston’s permanent civic art collection.

As passengers make their way from their gates to the baggage claim and exits, the main corridor provides opportunities for two art display cases. Glass-protected displays offer space for wall-hung or three-dimensional pieces. A large 4’ x 8’ x 2’5” opening to each case allows works at a variety of forms and scales. The inspiration for this work is “Space City” to connect with the celestial designs of the adjacent baggage claim hall and the exterior passenger canopy.

Artists or sellers of the selected artwork will be responsible for delivering the pieces to a designated location in Houston, TX. Purchase price to include costs of framing, delivery, shipping, or other needs for the delivery for installation-ready artwork. Artworks requiring a plinth or display shelf must include those features with the acquisition submission and in the total purchase price.

The Hobby Airport West Concourse Expansion will include seven new gates, a state-of-the-art baggage handling system, additional baggage claim carousels and a protective canopy connecting the terminal to the parking garage.

Houston Airports is the City of Houston’s Department of Aviation. Comprised of George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), and Ellington Airport (EFD) / Houston Spaceport, Houston Airports served 62 million passengers in 2025. Houston Airports is one of the largest airport systems in North America and serves as a primary gateway to Latin America and the South-Central region of the United States. Houston Airports is the winner of the World’s Best Airport Art Program, awarded by Skytrax in 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026. Civic Art at Houston Airports enhances the passenger experience by building and presenting a world-class collection of regional, national and international artworks.

Eligibility
THE FOLLOWING ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY:

• Open to all Texas artists and galleries in Texas submitting on behalf of Texas artists.
  ○ Texas Artist is defined as:
• Born in the State of Texas, or
• Currently residing within the State of Texas
• Galleries submitting applications for more than one artist must submit individual applications for each applicant/artist.
• If multiple artists are included on the same application, the submission will be marked as ineligible.
• Artists can be living or deceased.
  ○ Secondary market artwork will also be considered.
• Living artists or artist teams for whom applications are submitted must be 18 years of age or older.
   
  THE FOLLOWING ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO APPLY:
• Artists currently under contract for a City of Houston Civic Art project.
• City of Houston employees.
• Elected City Officials, Mayor’s Office of the Arts, and their immediate family.
• Houston Arts Alliance employees, Board members, Advisory Board members, and their immediate family.
  Applications that do not meet all eligibility criteria or application requirements will be withdrawn from consideration.
  Budget
• Artworks for consideration must be priced at fair market value.
• The total price listed for each object must include the cost of delivery by the artist (or submitter) to a collection site within Houston, Texas, designated by HAA.
  Application Requirements
• Each artist or gallery may submit up to three (3) artworks per artist. Each entry is one artwork. There are no limits to the number of artists a gallery can submit.
• Artist(s) resume or CV (3 pages maximum per artist)
• Artist Statement (500 words maximum)
  o An artist statement is a written description of the work that helps the audience access or understand it. The purpose of the artist statement is to inform, add context, and present process and conceptual ideas to the viewer, which may include sources, ideas, and materials in your current practice.
• Digital images of the artworks. Applicants can submit up to three (3) images in JPEG format, no larger than 2 MB, of the same artwork. One video, no longer than 30 seconds, may also be accepted per artwork. Image details should include:
  o Artist Name
  o Work Title
  o Year Completed
  o Dimensions (inches – H x W x D)
  o Material
  o Price
  Other Requirements for Three-Dimensional Work:
  ● Artwork should not exceed a height of 40 inches or a depth of 24 inches.
  ● All artwork must exist and have been completed before December 31, 2025. Works in progress or concept proposals will not be considered.
  ● Subject matter depicting obscene, sexually explicit, social, political, religious, racially demeaning, or other subjects that the City of Houston deems to be inappropriate for an airport environment will not be accepted.
  Other Requirements for Two-Dimensional Work:
  ● Artwork should not exceed a height of 40 inches or width of 72 inches.
  ● All artwork must exist and be accomplished before December 31, 2025. Works in progress or concept proposals will not be considered.
  ● Framed 2-D artwork must be ready to hang, prepared with D-rings, French cleat, or other appropriate hardware, as required. Framed works should be noted as such.
  ● Mounted 2-D artwork must be ready to hang, prepared with appropriate hardware and installation instructions. Mounted artworks should be noted as such.
  ● Photography and works on paper must be made from archival materials and must be framed with the appropriate museum quality glazing.
  ● Subject matter depicting obscene, sexually explicit, social, political, religious, racially demeaning, or other subjects that the City of Houston deems to be inappropriate for an airport environment will not be accepted.
  Artworks for consideration will also be subject to the following criteria:
  ● All artwork for consideration must be titled.
  ● All artwork must be ready to install for public presentation.
  ● Artworks must meet or exceed the City of Houston ADA requirements.
  ● Artworks should be resistant to graffiti and vandalism and require minimal maintenance.
  ● Artworks should be family-friendly and suitable for public display to a diverse, and international audience at the airport.
  ● Artwork must be durable and have a life span of at least 20 years.
  ● Artwork should make a significant artistic addition to the City’s Civic Art Collection and demonstrate a specific artistic voice, perspective, or aesthetic.
  Selection Process
  ● A six-person panel comprised of arts representatives, community representatives, and Houston Airport System representatives will review artwork submissions and recommend artworks for purchase.
  Location and Site
  William P. Hobby West Concourse Expansion, 7800 Airport Blvd, Houston, TX 77061
  See linked site plans and images for more information.

Contracting
Established in 1999, Houston Civic Art is a City of Houston Mayor’s Office of the Arts (MOA) program that contracts with Houston Arts Alliance (HAA) to manage projects.
Selected Artists or Galleries will enter into a Purchase Agreement with HAA. A sample agreement is linked HERE.

Selected artists will also be required to sign a Visual Artist Rights Act (VARA) Waiver with the City of Houston. View a sample of the waiver HERE

Timeline

All dates are subject to change.
RFA Released: Week of April 27th
Artist Info Session # 1: May 12, 2026 Artist Info Session # 2: May 19, 2026
Deadline for questions: May 22, 2026
RFA submission deadline: June 01, 2026
Selected artist notified by HAA: August 25, 2026
Purchase Agreement: August 28, 2026
Artwork Delivery: September 2026

**HAA will host two (2) artist information sessions about this RFA via Zoom. Click the links below to register for a session. **

• Artist Info Session #1 – Tuesday, May 12, 2026 @ 1:00 PM REGISTER HERE.
• Artist Info Session #2 – Tuesday, May 19, 2026 @ 6:00 PM REGISTER HERE.
  Contact

For questions and/or more information, please do not contact the City of Houston Mayor’s Office of the Arts (MOA) or Houston Airports. Direct all inquiries to:

Houston Arts Alliance - Civic Art Division
Subject Line: RFA for William P. Hobby Airport Southwest Airlines Expansion
Civicart@haatx.com

Please submit all questions in writing via email no later than Friday, May 22, 2026, at 5 PM CST to civicart@haatx.com. Questions will be answered as they are received. All answers to questions received by the question due date will be posted publicly to the Houston Arts Alliance FAQ Page for this project HERE.

Deadline: 06/01/26
Location: Houston, TX
Website: https://houstonartsalliance.submittable.com/submit/36e0b5d2-9ef6-437a-8356-118009bfb616/southwest-expansion-hobby-airport-request-for-acquisitions

Small Works: 48th Harper College National Juried Exhibition

Small Works is a national juried show of artwork no more than 24” in its largest dimension (including frame). All media are eligible except jewelry, film/video. All entries are judged from digital files. One $30 nonrefundable fee entitles each artist to submit up to three entries. Purchase awards may be available for accepted work. Accepted artists may be selected for a solo show at Harper College. A color catalog will be published in conjunction with the exhibition.

Juror: Dan Devening, Chicago-based artist, educator, curator, gallerist and writer

Entry deadline: Monday, June 15, 2026 (end of day)

Exhibition: September 8 – October 15, 2026

For further information and Online Entry: https://www.harpercollege.edu/smallworks

Questions: smallworks@harpercollege.edu

Deadline: 06/16/26
Location :Palatine, IL
Website: https://www.harpercollege.edu/smallworks

For artists, writers, poets and musicians, any creative who needs some quiet and peace to enhance your creative process on our 21-acre property about five miles outside the town of Dripping Springs, in the Texas Hill Country.

We are offering one-week to one-month, self-guided retreats for a modest retreat fee of $1200/week. Interested in work trade for a discounted stay? We are always looking for people with the skills and motivation to help us maintain this family run property. Please send in your information and we can evaluate on a case by case basis.

Deadline: 12/31/26
Location: Dripping Springs, TX
Website: https://bartoncreekcabin.com/

The Festival brings together a highly engaged crowd of woodworkers, cabinet makers, influencers and wood enthusiasts who are excited to see tools, techniques and products they can use in their own shop. It’s a fun, hands-on, conversation-driven event, not your traditional trade show. The event will be held in downtown Austin on September 25th-27th, 2026 at the Palmer Events Center.

Exhibitors love it because they can demo products, talk directly with real buyers, eat a delicious taco and build long-term brand awareness within the woodworking community.

If you’re interested, you can apply here.
https://texaswoodworkingfestival.com/vendor-exhibitor-application/

Closing Date: 08/10/26

Location: Austin, TX

Website: https://texaswoodworkingfestival.com/vendor-exhibitor-application/

2026 Virtual Art Residencies Open Call is now live!
We’re excited to announce four virtual residencies for the upcoming year: Ocean, Our Land, Atmos-fear, and Sustainability. Each program invites artists from around the world to explore our planet’s most urgent environmental themes through their own creative lens inspired by the UN Ocean Decade and UNESCO’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Whether your work speaks to the ocean, the land, our climate, or the interconnected systems that sustain life, we’d love to see your vision. One application, four opportunities.

There is no fee to apply, but artists pay for their own participation in the different residencies (fees range from $290 to $450).
Apply now! https://www.mokuartstudio.com/open-call-residency-programs-2026
Let’s imagine a better future together.

Closing Date: 08/01/26

Location: Online

Website: https://www.mokuartstudio.com/open-call-residency-programs-2026