Spring & Summer 2026 Exhibition Open Calls for Artists
- Gabrielle mills
- Apr 30
- 4 min read
National & Rolling Opportunities for Visual Artists, Curators, and Creative Practitioners
As exhibition opportunities continue expanding across the country, Spring and Summer 2026 are offering artists exciting chances to showcase their work in museums, galleries, art fairs, and community-centered spaces. Whether you work in sculpture, photography, textiles, installation, painting, video, or interdisciplinary practices, these open calls provide opportunities for visibility, funding, collaboration, and professional growth.
From juried exhibitions to long-term proposal opportunities, here are upcoming exhibition open calls currently accepting submissions.
Abington Art Center – Revolutionary Women
📅 Deadline: May 10, 2026
👥 Eligibility: Open to artists submitting work related to the theme “Revolutionary Women”
📝 Details: Abington Art Center invites artists to submit up to three works for its 2026 Summer Juried Show. The exhibition explores trailblazing women, progress, resilience, and transformation through contemporary artistic interpretation. Accepted media include painting, sculpture, textile art, and ceramics.
🔗 Website: https://abingtonartcenter.org/gallery/calls-for-artists/
Pittsburgh Glass Center & The Westmoreland Museum of American Art – Reflections in Glass
📅 Deadline: May 15, 2026
👥 Eligibility: Glass artists working in installation and sculpture
📝 Details: Fifteen selected artists will create new glass works inspired by pieces from The Westmoreland Museum’s permanent collection. The project includes a five-day installation event at the museum in October 2026, followed by a featured exhibition at Pittsburgh Glass Center in Winter 2027.
🔗 Website: https://www.pittsburghglasscenter.org/articles/reflectionscall/
Pittsburgh Art Book Fair (PABF)
📅 Deadline: May 15, 2026
👥 Eligibility: Artists, publishers, and exhibitors working in artist books and printed media
📝 Details: Carnegie Museum of Art and Pittsburgh Art Book Fair invite exhibitors to participate in the annual free event dedicated to printed matter. Open to artists working across installation, sculpture, digital art, painting, drawing, photography, video, printmaking, textile art, ceramics, and curatorial practices.
🔗 Website: https://pabf.cargo.site/
Metropolitan Community College Gallery of Art & Design
📅 Deadline: May 15, 2026
👥 Eligibility: Established and emerging artists, artist groups, and curators not employed by MCC
📝 Details: MCC Gallery of Art & Design in Omaha, Nebraska is seeking proposals for solo, group, and curated exhibitions for the 2026–2027 academic year. All visual arts media are eligible. Gallery installation and promotional costs are covered, and artists receive honorariums for exhibitions and educational programming.
Marshall University School of Art & Design – Carroll Gallery & Birke Art Gallery
📅 Deadline: Rolling
👥 Eligibility: Open to individual artists and groups
📝 Details: Exhibition proposals are accepted year-round and must be submitted at least eight months prior to requested exhibition dates. Group proposals should include artist statements, biographies, CVs, and sample images for all participating artists.
🔗 Website: https://www.marshall.edu/art-galleries/general-call-for-proposals/
UCM Gallery of Art & Design – Exhibition Proposals
📅 Deadline: Rolling👥 Eligibility: Artists and curators📝 Details: UCM Gallery of Art & Design accepts exhibition proposals year-round. Exhibitions should connect to artistic, cultural, or social themes relevant to the university community and Art & Design curriculum.
🔗 Website: https://ucmgallery.com/exhibition-proposal/
NIU Art Museum – Exhibition Proposals
📅 Deadline: Rolling👥 Eligibility: Artists and curators📝 Details: The NIU Art Museum accepts exhibition proposals throughout the year. Proposals are reviewed annually, and exhibitions are often scheduled up to two years in advance. Submissions may also be retained for future opportunities.
🔗 Website: https://www.niu.edu/artmuseum/exhibitions/proposals/index.shtml
Robert T. Wright Community Gallery of Art
📅 Deadline: Rolling👥 Eligibility: Emerging and established artists📝 Details: Located at the College of Lake County’s Grayslake Campus, the gallery hosts rotating solo and group exhibitions featuring diverse contemporary artistic practices and media. Opportunities include juried and themed exhibitions throughout the year.
Breckenridge International Festival of Arts – Exhibition & Project Proposals
📅 Deadline: Rolling
👥 Eligibility: Artists, curators, and art organizations
📝 Details: Breck Create accepts rolling submissions for exhibition and project proposals connected to future festival and programming opportunities. Proposals are reviewed throughout the year by the Director of Programs and Special Projects.
New Bedford Art Museum – Exhibition Proposals
📅 Deadline: Rolling
👥 Eligibility: Artists, curators, scholars, institutions, and community members
📝 Details: New Bedford Art Museum accepts exhibition proposals reviewed quarterly by the museum’s exhibition committee. Exhibitions are generally planned two to five years in advance.
Mattie Kelly Arts Center Galleries – Call for Proposals
📅 Deadline: Rolling
👥 Eligibility: Artists and curators working in all media
📝 Details: The Mattie Kelly Arts Center Galleries invites proposals for solo and group exhibitions supporting the educational mission of Northwest Florida State College. Open to contemporary, experimental, and traditional media including photography, sculpture, sound, video, fiber, textile, performance, and design. The center also hosts the annual Emerald Coast National juried exhibition, with Best in Show receiving a $1,000 award and future solo exhibition opportunity.
🔗 Website: https://mattiekellyartscenter.org/galleries/call-to-artists/
Main Street Arts – Open Call
📅 Deadline: Rolling
👥 Eligibility: Open to artists in all media, with preference for artists connected to Upstate New York
📝 Details: Main Street Arts reviews exhibition submissions twice annually and plans programming at least one year in advance. The organization welcomes artists working across all disciplines and media.
🔗 Website: https://mainstreetartscs.org/artist-opportunities/open-call/
Closing Thoughts
Exhibition opportunities are more than résumé builders — they are spaces for artists to experiment, connect with audiences, build community, and expand their creative practice. Whether you are an emerging artist seeking your first group exhibition or an established curator developing larger conceptual projects, these open calls offer valuable opportunities to share your work in meaningful ways.
As deadlines approach, take time to prepare strong portfolios, artist statements, and proposal materials that authentically reflect your vision and practice. The right opportunity can open doors to future collaborations, residencies, grants, and institutional relationships.
Stay consistent, keep applying, and continue creating work that reflects your voice and perspective.
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