Opportunities

ICOSA Annual/ Call for Entry
ICOSA Collective (Austin, TX) announces a national call for entries for ICOSA Annual, a juried group exhibition to be held in conjunction with the Austin Studio tour. Open to all US residents working in any 2D/ 3D media and video. The entry fee is $30.
Entry link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe2YsutVWv9notzkn1C9HtIRGg6mGMPiC0gnzEUBZCpdWCs9Q/viewform
Thanks to an anonymous donor, ICOSA can waive the entry fee for ten artists experiencing financial hardship. Requests are handled on a case-by-case basis. If you need a waiver, please email us at icosaannual@gmail.com before you start the application. The ICOSA Annual Committee will review your request and respond once a decision has been made.
About ICOSA
ICOSA Collective is an artist-run nonprofit art space committed to championing bold ideas, emerging voices, and experimental artistic practices. Since 2015, ICOSA has served as a platform for contemporary artists through exhibitions, sound installations, film screenings, performances, and collaborative programming that encourages dialogue and creative exchange. With more than 80 exhibitions, partnerships with artist-run spaces across the United States, and collaborations with local and regional artists, ICOSA has become an integral part of Austin's independent arts ecosystem. Visitors to the Austin Studio Tour are invited to explore current exhibitions, connect with artists, and experience a community-driven space where experimentation, collaboration, and contemporary art thrive. The gallery is located in the Canopy Arts Complex on the Eastside of Austin. ICOSA Annual is an exciting opportunity for non-member artists to showcase their work in the gallery during the Austin Studio Tour.
About the Juror
Dennis Nance is an artist and curator from Houston, Texas. He was appointed as Curator for the Galveston Arts Center in 2016 where he organizes exhibitions featuring work by contemporary artists from Texas and the Gulf Coast region. From 2007 to 2016, Nance was Exhibitions & Programming Director for Lawndale Art Center in Houston, Texas, where he worked extensively with local and regional artists through exhibitions and the Lawndale Artist Studio Program. Nance is a past member of the Artist Advisory Board for DiverseWorks and BOX 13 ArtSpace artist board member. He is a practicing artist and has been awarded grants for his work from the Houston Arts Alliance and an Idea Fund Award, administered through Aurora Picture Show, DiverseWorks Artspace and Project Row Houses and funded by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. His work has been included in exhibitions at the Art Lab at the Institute for Contemporary Art, Boston; the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston; Webb Gallery; The Brandon; BOX13 ArtSpace; and the Menil Collection bookstore. He received his BA from Austin College in Sherman, TX with a concentration in Fine Arts and French.
Exhibition Schedule
Submission deadline: Thurs, Oct. 1 (11:59pm)
Artists Notification: Thurs, Oct. 16th
Shipped Worked: Friday, Nov. 6th (Arrive before 5pm)
Hand-Delivered Work: Saturday, Nov 7th (12-4pm)
Opening Reception: Nov. 13th, 7-10pm
Show Runs: Nov. 13th - 22nd
Show Closes: Nov. 22nd Meet and greet with Curator 5pm
Work shipped back by: Dec. 1st
The exhibition opens Friday, November 13th and closes Sunday November 22nd. An opening reception will be held Friday November 13th from 7pm – 10pm. All artists and their guests are welcome. The exhibition will run in tandem with Austin Studio Tour, a free, annual, self-guided art event spanning two weekends. Icosa received over 4,000 visitors during the 2025 Austin Studio Tour.
ENTRY PROCEDURE
Entries must be submitted online no later than 11:59PM on Thursday, October 1st. Late applications will not be considered. Please submit all materials via link.

• Artist Statement/CV (no more than 3 pages)
• 5-10 images of works completed within the past two years
• Save images with your first initial, last name (Example:JDoe01.jpg)
• Do not include a price sheet or prices for submitted pieces
• Optional Video Entry, no longer than 5 minutes of video. Must be a YouTube,
  Vimeo link, etc. (Please make sure that the videos are not password protected.)
• $30 entry fee
  Due to an anonymous donor, ICOSA can waive the entry fee for ten artists experiencing financial hardship. Requests are handled on a case-by-case basis. If you need a waiver, please email us at icosaannual@gmail.com before you start the application. The ICOSA Annual Committee will review your request and respond once a decision has been made.
  ACCEPTANCE
  If your work is accepted, shipped work must arrive no later than 5pm, November 6th. Hand delivered work can be dropped off on Saturday November 7th from 12-4pm. Accepted work must be ready to hang or display in a professional manner.
  Artists are responsible for shipping costs both ways and must include a return shipping label with their work. Pack securely. No use of Styrofoam packing pellets (bubble wrap acceptable). No glass on framing of wall-based work, plexiglass only. Work that arrives at gallery damaged will be returned un-displayed. ICOSA is not responsible for work damaged in transit. Unsold work will be packed by ICOSA in the shipping containers they arrived in and shipped out to the artists by December 1st of 2026.
  Pick-up of hand delivered work will be coordinated with the artists. Pick-up no later than December 1st of 2026. ICOSA will not store work past the pick-up time.

SALES
Do not include a price sheet in application. Work does not have to be for sale. Sale prices are determined by the artist (after artwork has been accepted). After Square fees, 60% of sale price goes to the artist, 40% to ICOSA. All work must be the property of the artist in order to be available for sale.
INSURANCE
Though great care will be taken in handling your work, ICOSA does not provide insurance for any piece during the ICOSA Annual exhibition. ICOSA recommends the work be insured during shipping, as the artist bears the full responsibility for loss and damage to art while in transit. ICOSA retains the right to decide which work is included in the exhibition.
IMAGE USE
By participating in the ICOSA Annual, artists grant ICOSA rights to use the selected image(s) on printed materials and the gallery website for promotional purposes only.
NOTIFICATION
Artists will be notified of acceptance or nonacceptance no later than Thursday, October 15th.
FAQ’s:
Is there a theme? There is no specific theme, but oftentimes the curator will develop a theme and exhibition title once they have chosen from the submitted works.
Are there limitations on media/ size? We are open to all 2D and 3D media including video and performance. Please be aware that as the artist you are responsible for shipping the work so please take that into consideration if you are not local. Although there is not a specific size limit, the work does need to fit through our door which is 8’h x 4’w and weighs no more than 50 lbs.
Can I submit if I live outside of the Austin area? Yes! Just be aware that you are responsible for getting your work to the gallery by either delivering or shipping. Due to shipping time, only artists who reside in the continental United States are eligible
CONTACT
Any questions, email icosaannual@gmail.com.

Deadline: 10/1/26
Location: Austin, TX
Website: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe2YsutVWv9notzkn1C9HtIRGg6mGMPiC0gnzEUBZCpdWCs9Q/viewform

The application for Small Works 2026 is open as of July 15th, 2026, with a deadline of September 15, 2026.
The Small Works exhibit will showcase a diverse array of miniature masterpieces from local and regional artists, celebrating creativity and craftsmanship in a compact format. Each piece, no larger than 12 inches in any dimension, challenges artists to distill their vision into a compact format, resulting in a diverse and compelling display. The exhibit will offer an intimate viewing experience, encouraging close inspection and appreciation of the intricate details and unique styles that make each work of art a standout.

Best of Show | $500
2nd Place | $300
3rd Place | $200
Honorable Mention | $100
Peoples' Choice | $50 + Georgetown Art Center Membership

For more information and to apply, visit https://visit.georgetown.org/georgetown_art_center/for_artists/small_works.php

Deadline: 09/15/26
Location: Georgetown, TX
Website: https://visit.georgetown.org/georgetown_art_center/for_artists/small_works.php

Ten Moir Gallery invites artists and photographers worldwide to submit work to our rotating online art challenges. Each challenge is centered around a unique theme and gives artists the opportunity to share meaningful, creative work in a curated online showcase.

Open to artists 18 and older, our challenges welcome painting, drawing, photography, digital art, mixed media, collage, sculpture, and other visual art forms. Selected artists may receive online showcase placement, digital certificates, social media promotion, newsletter features, artist spotlights, interviews, cash awards, and additional visibility through Ten Moir Gallery.
We are looking for artwork that tells a story, explores emotion, captures a moment, or offers a fresh perspective. Whether your work is bold, quiet, experimental, abstract, or deeply personal, this is an opportunity to place your art in front of a wider audience.

Awards may include:
Cash awards, curated showcase placement, artist interviews, mini spotlight features, homepage features, social media promotion, newsletter features, digital certificates, and additional visibility through Ten Moir Gallery.

Eligibility:
Open worldwide to artists 18+. All experience levels and visual art mediums are welcome.

Copyright:
Artists keep full copyright. Images may be used only for challenge-related promotion, online showcases, artist features, and Ten Moir Gallery announcements.

Entry Fee:
First entry is free during the listed free entry period. Additional entries may be submitted for a fee.

Deadline:
Ten Moir Gallery hosts rotating themed art challenges throughout the year. Deadlines vary by theme. Artists are encouraged to visit the current monthly challenges page for the most up-to-date open calls, deadlines, awards, and entry details.

Apply Online:
https://www.tenmoirgallery.com/art-competitions-open-call/

Deadline: 01/01/27
Location: Online
Website: https://www.tenmoirgallery.com/art-competitions-open-call/

Spellerberg Projects is inviting proposals for month-long solo and duo exhibitions in 2027 and 2028.
We are an artist-run gallery and studio located in Lockhart, Texas, approximately 40 miles from Austin. Our mission is to showcase a diverse array of contemporary art to the public and support both emerging and established artists by providing a platform for them to exhibit their work. We are dedicated to fostering an environment where artists can experiment and grow in their practice, while also building a community that appreciates and supports contemporary art.

Eligibility
We invite artists of all backgrounds who are currently based in the United States, or who will be based in the United States during 2027–2028. We welcome submissions in any visual medium from individual artists or duos (we are not accepting larger groups). There is no application fee.

In-person attendance at a reception in Lockhart, Texas is strongly encouraged but not required. Artists who have exhibited with us in the past three years are not eligible. Previous applicants are warmly encouraged to reapply.

Events for our upstairs space, such as a performance, screening, workshop, pop-up, or talk, are accepted year-round with no deadline. If you are proposing an event, consider applying instead through our Programs Call.

Deadline
October 2, 2026
apply
To make sure our gallery is the right fit for you, review our Exhibition Procedures:https://spellerbergprojects.com/calls/exhibition-procedures/
Complete the Online Application Form: https://spellerbergprojects.com/calls/exhibitions-call/
If you have any questions, please get in touch with us via email: marty@spellerberg.org.

Deadline: 10/02/26
Location: Lockhart, TX
Website: https://spellerbergprojects.com/calls/exhibitions-call/

Leave your mark on history.

The National Juneteenth Museum is seeking one Texas artist to help tell Fort Worth’s Juneteenth story through the design of the city’s inaugural Freedom Bell.

Inspired by local history, community narratives, and the enduring significance of freedom, the selected design will be cast into a functional bell and become part of the Museum’s permanent collection.

Three finalist artists will each receive a $700 honorarium to develop a design proposal. From those proposals, one artist will be awarded a $3,000 commission and will participate in the guided creation of the inaugural Freedom Bell.

Applications close August 23, 2026. Learn more and apply here:
https://nationaljuneteenthmuseum.org/juneteenth-freedom-bell

The National Juneteenth Museum was invited by the Freedom Bell Project and its partners, Texas A&M University and Brad Oldham Sculptures, to participate in this historic project.

Deadline: 08/23/26
Location: Texas
Website: https://nationaljuneteenthmuseum.org/juneteenth-freedom-bell

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is establishing a new training academy in Florence, Texas, scheduled for completion in Fall 2027. To commemorate the move of the new academy, the Training Operations Division (TOD) is seeking a qualified contractor to create artwork for custom “commemorative” hat boxes that DPS will then have manufactured, with the goal to have a separate and unique image for each of the four hat boxes. The contractor’s artwork will be used by a box manufacturer and printed onto 15.5” x 18” cardboard boxes fabricated to hold the hats.

Deadline: 08/20/26
Location: Austin, Texas
Website: https://www.txsmartbuy.gov/esbd/405-26R0015190

Recognizing the impact that travel can have on an artist’s career, the Dorothy Antoinette LaSelle Foundation has established the Dorothy Antoinette LaSelle Travel Fellowship. In the fall of 2026, two awards of $5,000 each will be distributed to artists working and residing in the state of Texas, enabling the recipients to complete a research trip to further their artistic practice.
Applications open: August 3, 2026
Applications close: August 31, 2026
Awardees notified: November 2, 2026
Awardee Eligibility Criteria:

1. Must currently reside in the state of Texas and have lived there for the past year
2. Be a practicing professional with at least 3 solo or group exhibitions in the past 3 years.
3. BFA and juried exhibitions are eligible.
4. Must currently hold a degree in the arts
5. There is no application fee.

Deadline: 08/31/26
Location: Texas
Website: https://www.lasellefoundation.org/travel-fellowship

Call for Art: COMMON GROUND ART FEST
Contracommon is accepting applications for our second annual Common Ground Art Fest: a high-impact, one-day celebration of emerging talent in Central Texas.
We are in search of vendors, musicians, artists, pop-ups, performers, and all other creatives who want to make this day great! Musicians and performers should contact Contracommon via email or instagram.
KEY INFO

• This is an outdoor event
• Saturday, October 24th, 2026 from 11am-5pm
• Open Call posted: July 31st, 2026
• Open Call closes: August 31st, 2026
• Free application
• $50 booth fee / $50 tent rental (optional)
• Review: September 1st - September 18th
• Artists notified: by September 19th, 2026
• Vendor agreement due: within 48 hours of email
• Load-in begins: 9:30am
• Load-out begins: 5:00pm

Deadline: 09/01/26
Location: Hill Country Galleria Central Plaza 12700 Hill Country Blvd Bee Cave, TX, 78738
Website: https://www.contracommon.org/upcomingevents/2026/common-ground-open-call

The Enso Circle is a 12-week virtual residency for artists seeking focus, encouragement, and meaningful creative community. Residents meet weekly on Zoom for conversation, reflection, and practical guidance while developing an individual body of work in their own studios. Ongoing connection through Slack, weekly prompts, and personal check-ins provides structure without pressure. The residency concludes with a professionally designed digital catalog celebrating each artist’s work and growth. Open to artists working in all media and at every stage of their creative practice. Founded by Lyn Belisle and Michelle Belto, the Enso Circle is celebrating its fifth year of nurturing creativity, connection, and artistic growth.

Deadline: 08/31/26
Location: Virtual
Website: https://www.theensocircle.com/

The Candace Freeland Photography of Merit Award honors the legacy of photographer Candace Freeland, who gave the founding gift for this heartfelt outreach to youth and young adults.

2026 Guidelines
U.S. photographers aged 8-22 are invited to submit black-and-white and color photos captured on a smartphone, based on the theme Food and Family. There is no fee to enter. All finalists will be required to provide proof of age and eligibility, i.e. a photo ID, driver's license, birth certificate, etc.

Distinguished jurors select a Grand Prize Winner and Runner-Up for each category. There will also be a People’s Choice Award that will be voted on by the public. Cash prizes awarded to winners in different categories. All participants are invited to attend a reception announcing the winners at The Mitford Museum on October 9, 2026.
Rules, regulations, and prize information can be found on website.

Location: United States
Website: https://themitfordmuseum.org/meritawards/
Deadline: 09/01/26

Calling all writers to submit to Moonlight and Mawazo: A science fiction and fantasy short story contest lighting a path for diverse authors and characters to create universes of imagination.
RULES & ELIGIBILITY
This competition welcomes submissions from writers of all races, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, etc. We want and value diverse voices. With that said, we will be keeping a special eye out for stories that feature often unseen, unheard characters both on the pages and at the pen (keyboard) who can fully embrace the spirit of “Moonlight and Mawazo”.

1. All participants must be 18 years of age or older.
2. All submissions must be in English.
3. Contest entries are accepted from anywhere in the world.
4. Submissions must be original science fiction or fantasy. No fanfiction will be accepted. No submissions featuring explicit sex or violence will be accepted. No poetry will be accepted. This work must never have been published in any format. AI IS NOT PERMITTED .
5. All submitted material must be owned by and submitted by the writer.
6. Co-authors are accepted, but only 1 prize will be awarded.

Deadline: 08/31/26
Location: Contest entries are accepted from anywhere in the world.
Website: https://www.moonlightandmawazo.com/

Texas Arts & Music Festival committed to showcasing and supporting local artists. Once again, the festival’s opening reception will feature our Annual Juried Art Show. Texas-based artists of all experience levels are encouraged to apply for the art show.
A panel of professional, impartial artists, including this year’s featured muralists will evaluate each piece before the reception.
Awards:
First Place - $300
Second Place - $150
Third Place - $75
During the show, participating local artists may offer their work for sale.
Dates to Remember:
Applications Open: Now
Application Deadline: September 1
Artist Notifications: September 11
Artwork Exhibition: October 1- 31

Artist Reception: October 16
All artwork must be suitable for public viewing by audiences of all ages. Explicit, violent, or otherwise offensive subject matter will not be accepted. See all restrictions and guidelines at https://www.texasartsandmusicfestival.com/art-show/

Deadline: 09/01/26
Location: Brenham Heritage Museum
Website: https://www.texasartsandmusicfestival.com/

Request for Qualifications
Texas A&M University seeks an exceptional professional artist or artist-led team to create a monumental, site-specific public artwork for the Aplin Center, a landmark hospitality and experiential learning facility opening in spring 2028. The Aplin Center is a 211,724-square-foot, three-story facility—one of the largest mass timber university buildings in the U.S.—housing a campus Welcome Center, event venues, hospitality and food science labs, and student-operated retail and dining spaces.

This high-profile commission offers the opportunity to create an iconic cultural landmark at one of the nation’s largest public universities. The selected artwork will anchor a new front door to campus and serve as a powerful symbol of welcome, community and the Aggie spirit.

Phase One will be an open call for applicants to submit their qualifications to be considered. Finalists advancing to Phase Two will be provided with more information and instructions.
Please see the website for the full call.

Location: College Station, TX
Website: https://aplincenter.tamu.edu/
Deadline: 10/31/26

Texas students in grades K-12 are invited to participate in the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s Take Care of Texas Student Art Contest. Entries are accepted from October 5, 2026 to December 18, 2026.

To enter, students must submit original artwork portraying ways to reduce waste. Winners and runners-up in each category will win cash prizes, and students in grades 11–12 are eligible for up to $2,000 in scholarships!

Artwork Requirements:

• Artwork must depict ways Texans can reduce waste.
• Artwork must include the phrase "Take Care of Texas" spelled correctly.
• Artwork must be submitted on an 8.5" x 11" piece of paper (landscape format is recommended).

To get the full list of requirements and learn how to submit your artwork, visit https://takecareoftexas.org/education/art-contest-rules

Deadline: 12/19/26
Location: Texas
Website: https://takecareoftexas.org/education/take-care-texas-art-contest

The Nacogdoches Arts Collaborative’s Falling Star Gallery is proud to announce an art competition and exhibition in honor of the 250th Birthday of the USA.

The idea came from the big brain of Terry (TL) Steed, who could quote the Constitution and tell you all about each amendment, including when it was ratified. When asked by his sister how to “do more than vote”, he said, “Well, you DO have an art gallery and America’s birthday is September 2026.”

An idea was born. Then in October 2025, TL passed after a brief illness. So the contest has become the TL Steed Memorial Constitution Competition & Exhibition: What the Constitution Means to Me. Before he exited, he donated the seed money for the prizes and suggested one of the jurors. First and foremost, TL would want you to read the Constitution and pick what moves you.

https://www.senate.gov/about/origins-foundations/senate-and-constitution/constitution.htm

DETAILS & RULES

Artists 16 and over are invited to enter original work in Falling Star Gallery’s “What the Constitution Means to Me” show, to be held August 22nd - September 19th, 2026. Entrants will choose a passage from the US Constitution (including the Bill of Rights and all amendments) and create a piece of art inspired by the passage.

Do NOT use current politicians blatantly. Clever artists can lay their thoughts between the lines. Any piece using images of politicians other than the founding fathers will find their pieces disqualified. No matter your politics, this contest is about the Constitution, which I think we all agree is dandy.

RULES

The gallery hopes to hang all entries that follow the rules.

1. There is a $20 fee to enter. Artists may enter a maximum of two pieces, but each must be entered separately.
2. Artists must register on our website www.nacartscollab.com/constitution, and pay their tax deductible fee using our Give Butter platform. If an artist does not have a computer or needs assistance, we will accept a hand completed entry form and $20 cash or check. Credit card payments only available on our website (which includes options for Paypal and Venmo). Questions? Contact our administrator at info@nacartscollab.com
   Please register as early as possible so we have an idea what’s coming.
3. Finished entries must be delivered by August 22nd, 2026. Attach the Art ID form, which includes name & title and the passage from the Constitution that inspired your art. Mailed entries will also be accepted, but must be received by August 1st. Mailed entries must be registered prior to mailing. Send to: Constitution Show, AL Steed, 403 County Road 821, Nacogdoches, TX 75964. Roundtrip postage is up to you. Please advise by email if you have mailed an entry.
4. Entries can be in any visual art form, 2D, 3D, written (such as poetry or song), or film (3 minute limit). However, any medium that requires a player or equipment, the equipment must be provided by you and will be returned at the end of the show. Any film, music or noisy piece will need headphones provided. The gallery owns a limited number of pedestals and easels.
5. Any AI will be disqualified.
6. Artwork must be ready to hang or display, wires, etc. Include any special instructions in writing.
7. Though we do not have specific size restrictions, please remember that the space is limited and anything that is huge better be spectacular to be included. It is our hope to include as many entries as possible in the exhibition.
8. This contest will be juried by members of the gallery’s exhibition committee and two attorneys involved in the arts. Entries will be judged based on creativity/uniqueness, interpretation of the theme, overall visual appeal.
9. Cash and other prizes will be awarded. A minimum of $600 in cash will be awarded to 3 top winners (1st-$300, 2nd-$200, 3rd-$100). There will also be a People’s Choice award based on visitor votes. It is possible there will be additional prizes based on sponsorship opportunities.
10. Your piece(s) can be for sale or not. You may retain ownership. IF it is for sale, the split is 40% to NAC, 60% to you, or you can donate your piece to NAC for sale or auction.
11. There will be both opening and closing receptions and the show will be open for viewing on Saturdays from 11am-4pm, or by appointment.
12. Winners will be announced August 15 at approximately 3:00pm.

NO GLITTER unless its REALLY ATTACHED, NO PERISHABLE ART,
No pornography (tasteful nudity ok), no hate talk of any kind and appropriate for high schoolers.

The address to deliver: 320 North street, Suite 307, Saturdays, 11-4 starting July 11th. Or by appointment, text 917-209-1050 or email info@nacartscollab.com. All delivered art must have an art form attached.

Register here: https://nacartscollab.com/constitution-show-registration

No obligation or liability is assumed by NAC in connection with the contest.

Deadline: 08/15/26
Location: Nacogdoches, TX
Website: https://nacartscollab.com/constitution-show-registration