Artist opportunities, September 2026
Closing soon
Visual arts | North Carolina Veteran Art Show
The Joel Fund is accepting submissions for the fifth annual North Carolina Veteran Art Show, which will be on display from Friday, October 2, to Friday, October 16, at the Durham Art Guild Golden Belt Gallery. All art media will be accepted: 2D, 3D, literary art, and more. This family-friendly art show seeks to feature original pieces created by NC veterans of all backgrounds, art levels, and branches of service. The deadline to apply is September 14, 2026.
Visual arts | Battleship North Carolina license plate art contest
The Battleship North Carolina Memorial invites artists from across the state to submit original artwork for a chance to inspire the Battleship’s future custom North Carolina specialty license plate. The contest is open to current and former NC residents of all ages and abilities. 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. Cash prizes will be awarded to finalists, including a $1,000 cash prize for first place. The deadline to apply is September 25, 2026.
Public art | Sculpture on the Town
The Morganton Cultural Arts Commission seeks sculptors to participate in “Sculpture on the Town,” an annual public art contest featuring large-scale, outdoor sculptures around Morganton, NC. The project aims to increase community interest in public art and offer artists a unique opportunity to showcase their original sculptural works. The commission seeks artwork that is uplifting and creative. Four sites are available for installation, and each selected artist will receive a $3,000 honorarium. The deadline to apply is September 30, 2026.
Visual arts | Artspace artist residencies
Artspace, based in downtown Raleigh, is accepting applications for two artist residency programs: the North Carolina Emerging Artists in Residence and the HBCU Alumni Artist in Residence programs. Each year-long residency offers 24-hour access to a rent-free studio space, a $200 monthly stipend, and a professional solo exhibition. See Artspace’s website for details on each program. The deadline to apply for either residency is September 30, 2026.
Literary arts | Womansong songwriting contest
Womansong is hosting a songwriting contest to commemorate the organization’s fortieth year of singing in Asheville. Submissions are invited for an original song that celebrates Womansong’s themes of joy, justice, and community. The goal is to support songwriters in the western NC region, as well as to increase the repertoire of choral music by, for, and about women. A stipend of $1,000 will be awarded to the winner along with the opportunity for Womansong to perform a choral arrangement of the song as part of its spring 2027 concerts. The deadline to apply is October 1, 2026.
Professional development
September 22, 2026, from 12–1:30 p.m.
Manager Billy Maupin will give you an introduction into the world of sync licensing during this lunch and learn from Triangle ArtWorks. Sync licensing is the process of licensing music for use in film, television, and other visual media, and it has become one of the fastest-growing revenue streams for independent musicians. 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 for questions and answers, so that attendees can share and learn from discussing real issues facing musicians in the sync industry.
September 24, 2026, from 6–8 p.m.
Making effective marketing videos for visual and performing artists
This online workshop from Triangle ArtWorks will teach you how to make clear and effective marketing videos using the simple tools you already have. Making promotional videos for grant applications, show juries, booking agencies, or festival committees can seem overwhelming. This workshop will show you a 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.
Grants and fellowships
Innovate Grant’s summer 2026 cycle for artists is currently open for submissions. Innovate Grant awards two $1,800 grants each quarter, one to a visual artist and one to a photographer. They are designed to give artists the boost of financial support needed to inspire creative development. The deadline to apply is September 17, 2026.
Emerging Traditional Artists Program
South Arts’s Emerging Traditional Artists Program supports artists who are deepening their creative practice while carrying cultural knowledge forward for the next generation. Awardees will receive $5,000 plus professional development opportunities, peer networking, and mentorship designed to strengthen both their artistic practice and long-term impact. The deadline to apply is September 30, 2026.
The Southern Prize for Literature awarded by South Arts supports writers who are developing book-length manuscripts. The award is intended to provide timely support to writers who are at a critical moment in a project’s evolution. One writer will receive a $25,000 unrestricted fellowship, and two runners-up will each receive a $10,000 award. The deadline to apply is October 7, 2026.
Artist Support Grants are funded by the NC Arts Council and administered through partnerships with regional consortia of local arts councils. These grants help professional artists in any discipline and at any stage of their careers pursue projects that advance their artistic and professional development. Grant amounts and deadlines vary from region to region. Most are between $500 and $2,000. Contact your granting local arts council for details.
Visual arts
Thanks to our arts partners throughout North Carolina and around the country, our website has an abundance of user-submitted visual arts listings. Visit our Artist Opportunities page, where you will see calls for submissions in almost all media.
New artist opportunities are added regularly!
For details and additional listings, please visit the North Carolina Arts Council’s Artist Opportunities page.
Please note that artist opportunities are submitted by members of the community. Each opportunity is independently managed by its sponsor and is not overseen by the North Carolina Arts Council.