Artist Resources + Opportunities

ArtWorks provides a list of artist opportunities for creatives in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. If you would like us to add an artist opportunity to this page, please fill out this form.

Please note: ArtWorks may not be affiliated with the opportunities listed. If you have questions, please reach out to the organization directly.

Resources

SofaBurn Inc

SofaBurn Inc. is dedicated to supporting artists by subsidizing healthcare costs and providing financial education to help sustain their careers. Artists can apply for financial assistance if medical expenses or debt are hindering their ability to focus on their work. To apply, artists can submit an online application, after which a volunteer from SofaBurn Inc will reach out within five business days to discuss their situation and explore ways to reduce costs. The organization’s goal is to help ease financial burdens and ensure that artists can continue creating and contributing to their communities.

For more information on how to apply or get involved, visit SofaBurn Inc.’s application page.

Opportunities

Open Call to Artists — BLINK

Now entering its fifth edition, BLINK is one of the largest light, art, and projection experiences in the nation. Since its inception in 2017, it transforms over 30 city blocks across Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky with large-scale projection mapping, interactive light-based installations, and murals. In 2024, more than 2 million people experienced the festival.

BLINK has put out a call to artists looking for light-based art, projection mapping, digital art + animation, and murals.

BLINK invites artists to submit a proposal and be part of BLINK 2026, taking place October 8 to 11 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Deadline for Submissions: 10/08/25

For more information and to apply click here.

Open Call to Artists — Entangled: Juried Fiber Art Exhibition

Entangled is the first ever exhibition of contemporary fiber arts to be held at the East End Arts Council gallery in Riverhead, Long Island, with an open call to artists nationwide. Artists who practice creatively engages traditional or unconventional approaches are encouraged to submit proposals for a juried selection.

Works may be free-standing, suspended, or wall supported for exhibition in their Arts District storefront gallery space, featuring ceilings just shy of 10′. Entangled hopes for a multi-idiom, boundary-pushing fiber art exhibition of abstract, figurative, and conceptual works that cross into a multitude of references. This show will put visitors into a fierce tangle of connections that unravel the imagination!

Artists may enter up to three original works new to the local public for selection. This is a national call open to residents of all 50 states.

Deadline for Submissions: 8/15/25

Please reach out to Eve West with questions at ewest@eastendart.org

For more information and to apply click here.

Kinhouse Annual Exhibition and Catalog Open Call

For this show Kinhouse Gallery is looking for work that embodies the spirit of their chosen name “Kinhouse”. The term “Kin” refers to a person’s sense of belonging, whether chosen or not, blood relative or friend, the spirit of the word embodies folks who a person makes a like with. The term “House” refers to a building in which people live, but also a body, a sense of place, an intentional gathering for comfort, coziness, or safe experiences. They want to see art that considers both or one of these terms, that speaks to their collective or individua sense of belonging, grounding, rooting, and connecting. Submissions with thematic elements related to the domestic, caregiving, heritage, place, legacy, and community are encouraged.

All submissions will be considered for their in-person exhibition at Kinhouse Gallery and for their extended Kinhouse Exhibition Catalog. Their Kinhouse exhibition catalog is a published book featuring the work of artists selected for the in-person exhibition and an extended additional selection of artworks that they want to highlight as speaking to this open call. The curators statement and thoughts are included in the catalog, along with high-quality images of the selected artworks addressing the theme of Kinhouse.

Submission Fee: $18 for 1-3 entries

For the purposes of this process an “entry” is an individual work of art, regardless of the number of images used to represent it in the submission. Fees are non-refundable. All art mediums are accepted for consideration, however if you are submitting a video work you will need to provide a display.

This show will be juried by Kinhouse Co-Directors, Dana Caldera and Kaylan Buteyn.

They welcome submissions from persons of all gender identity and ability, whether caregiver or not, homeowner or not. Work must be submitted in its finished state (no works in progress) and available to be shown during the months of August-October 2025.

Call Ends: July 13, 2025, Midnight EST

Artists Notified by: July 27, 2025 Midnight EST

Exhibition dates: August 28, 2025 – September 29, 2025

Exhibition opening reception and Kinhouse Gallery 1 Year Anniversary Party: Saturday, September 6, 3-6 PM, Kinhouse Gallery, Fort Wayne, IN.

To apply and to learn more click here.

For questions reach out to Dana Caldera at kinhouseart@gmail.com

The City of Oxford, Ohio – Parking Garage Public Mural

The City of Oxford, Ohio, in collaboration with the Public Arts Commission of Oxford (PACO), is solicitating artist qualifications to design and install a mural on the Oxford Municipal Parking Garage. This call for art aims to select an artist responsible for implementing a vibrant and engaging mural that enhances the community’s character.

The City of Oxford prefers that this mural be installed on a panel system adhered to the brick surface. This system should have at least a 10-plus year lifespan but be removable.

This is a paid opportunity. Deadline to apply 7/10/2025.

To apply and learn more click here. For any questions reach out to Ashley Keeton at akeeton@cityofoxford.org.

Ten Moir Gallery Circle of Life Art Competition 2025

Open Worldwide: All mediums, styles, and backgrounds accepted.

Fees: $24 for 3 images

Deadline: August 30th, 2025

Apply using the online form: https://tenmoirgallery.com/circle-of-life-online-art-competition/

Are you ready to capture the essence of life’s journey? Ten Moir Gallery invites talented artists and photographers to explore the profound rhythms of birth, life, decay, and rebirth through the theme “Circle of Life”. Interpretations can reflect the natural world, spirituality, human experience, and beyond. This is your chance to explore the myriad stages of life, from birth to growth, decay, and renewal, and present your unique interpretation.

Best in Show: $150 cash prize, cover feature, newsletter spotlight, social media promotion + free entry to the $500 Blu Sky Artist Award

1st Place: $50 cash prize + free Blu Sky Award entry + features

2nd & 3rd Place: Free Blu Sky Award entry

Reach out to connect@tenmoirgallery.com with any questions.

Call to Artists – 2025 Greenacres Artist Weekend and Exhibition

The Arts Team at Greenacres Foundation is calling artists (ages 18+) for the 2025 Greenacres Artists Weekend this November! This immersive three-day event provides artists with the opportunity to create, collaborate, and explore new ideas in the inspiring environment of the Greenacres Arts Center. Participants will have the chance to step away from their everyday routines and reconnect with their creative spirits, fellow artists, and the natural surroundings. The weekend will culminate in an exhibition where artists can showcase works inspired by the experience.

This event is a can’t-miss opportunity for artists of all career stages looking to find inspiration and connection. This event offers a perfect balance of learning, networking, relaxation, creative exploration, both indoors and outdoors.

November 7th-9th, 2025 + Exhibition February 7th, 2026

Deadline to apply: 09/07/2025

Click here to learn more and apply. For questions reach out to Sarah Evans at sevans@green-acres.org

Blu Sky Artist Award: July 2025 Edition

Hosted by Ten Moir Gallery.

Deadline: July 31, 2025

Ten Moir Gallery is delighted to announce the July 2025 Edition of the Blu Sky Artist Award (BSAA), an online international semi-annual grant for artists, photographers, sculptors, and more. They offer an unrestricted grant so artists can truly focus on their craft, refine their techniques, and navigate the art industry with confidence.

Awards & Recognition:

2 Winner Receive:
- $500 Unrestricted Grant
- A Published Interview
- Social Media Spotlight
- Winner’s Certificate
10 Winners Receive:
- Dedicated Social Media Spotlight
- Finalist Certificate

Entry Fees:

Early Bird Discount: $25 USD for up to 10 works until May 15th
Regular Fee: $35 USD for up to 10 works
Entry fees are non-refundable.

For more information or to apply click here. For any questions reach out to Tiffany K at connect@tenmoirgallery.com

Call for Artists – The HeART of Resilience Exhibition Stories

This is a call for artists to submit works for the The HeART of Resilience, an exhibition that visually narrates the transformative journey of breast cancer survivors as they reclaim their bodies and identities after surgery. Presented by Flaunt Flat Revolution and hosted by the gallery at Art on Main.

This exhibition seeks works (painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture and ceramics) that pay tribute to the bravery and determination required to make informed choices, redefine personal attractiveness, and embrace new chapters in life. Through this collective visual exploration, The HeART of Resilience exhibition seeks to create a compelling visual dialogue celebrating empowerment, healing, and the power of resilience.

This is a paid opportunity and the deadline to submit is 9/12/25.

For more information and to apply click here or reach out to Vinasota Thach at hello@flauntflatrevolutuion.org

Classes and Workshops

Looking to learn new skills and improve your craft? Here is a list of local community classes and workshops you can attend!

Sew Valley Education Workshops
Discover Contemporary Art Museum Programs
The Professional Practice
ProjectArt – Free Afterschool Art Classes for Youth
Indigo Hippo – Material Play: Free Creative Workshops for Youth
- Indigo Hippo is launching Material Play! A FREE, once-a-month workshop series for youth ages 10-18 (recommended, no restricition for children under 10 but request a parent or guardian present to participate). Learn new creative skills and mediums from local artists and organizations while exploring themes of personal growth, resilience and community.

Membership Opportunities

Creative Ohio
- The statewide advocacy organization that energizes the arts and creative community to crusade for deeper investment in Ohio’s creative economy from Ohio’s state legislature and administration as well as its U.S. senators and Congressional representatives.