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50 Best Art Competitions & Calls for Entry 2026

By EntryThingy Team

Finding legitimate, high-quality art calls can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. With thousands of opportunities posted each year, how do you know which ones are worth your time and entry fees?

We've done the research for you. This curated guide highlights 50 of the best art calls for 2026, organized by medium and category. Every opportunity listed has been verified as currently accepting entries and comes from galleries with a proven track record on our platform.

Last Updated: May 2026 | Browse 1,900+ Active Calls: EntryThingy Calls List →

Table of Contents

  1. Best for Painters
  2. Best for Photographers
  3. Best for Sculptors & 3D Artists
  4. Best Free Calls (No Entry Fee)
  5. Best Regional Opportunities
  6. How We Selected These Calls

Best for Painters

Whether you work in oils, acrylics, watercolor, or mixed media, these calls offer excellent opportunities for painters to gain exposure and recognition.

Browse All Active Painting Calls →

Top Painting Competitions for 2026

  1. 46th Annual Arts of the Terrace Juried Art Show

    • Gallery: Mountlake Terrace Friends of the Arts
    • Location: Mountlake Terrace, WA
    • Deadline: August 15, 2026
    • Entry Fee: Paid
    • Why It's Great: 46-year tradition, all non-miniature categories accepted, Pacific Northwest arts community with a long history of supporting emerging and established painters

  2. 8th Annual Northeast Fine Arts Exhibition

    • Gallery: Workshop13, Cultural Arts & Learning Center
    • Deadline: July 18, 2026
    • Entry Fee: Paid
    • Why It's Great: Eight consecutive years running, strong regional reputation, multi-medium fine arts juried show

  3. Feminism 250: Woman Made America

    • Gallery: Woman Made Gallery
    • Location: Chicago, IL
    • Deadline: June 27, 2026
    • Entry Fee: Paid
    • Why It's Great: Woman Made Gallery is one of Chicago's leading feminist art spaces. This America 250 exhibition has 86 artists entered — one of the most competitive calls of the summer.

  4. Archway Gallery's 18th Annual Juried Exhibition

    • Gallery: Archway Gallery
    • Location: Houston, TX
    • Deadline: June 12, 2026
    • Entry Fee: Paid
    • Why It's Great: 18-year run from a Houston artist cooperative with genuine curatorial integrity. Open to all media. One of the Southwest's most consistent annual juried shows.

  5. The Unexpected Portrait

    • Gallery: Workshop13, Cultural Arts & Learning Center
    • Deadline: August 21, 2026
    • Entry Fee: Paid
    • Why It's Great: Portrait theme open to creative interpretation, high-quality curation from a gallery with 30+ shows on our platform

  6. 25th Annual Landscapes for Landsake Art Sale & Exhibition

    • Gallery: Agricultural Stewardship Association
    • Location: Washington County, NY
    • Deadline: July 1, 2026
    • Entry Fee: Paid
    • Why It's Great: 25-year juried landscape show tied to farmland conservation — art with purpose. Strong regional following in the Hudson Valley/Adirondack region.

  7. Art as Civic Voice

    • Gallery: Philadelphia Sketch Club
    • Location: Philadelphia, PA
    • Deadline: June 14, 2026
    • Entry Fee: Paid
    • Why It's Great: The Philadelphia Sketch Club is one of America's oldest continuously operating art clubs (founded 1860). A civic-themed call from an institution with real historical weight.

  8. 2026 Summer Exhibition

    • Gallery: Buffalo Society of Artists
    • Location: Buffalo, NY
    • Deadline: May 31, 2026
    • Entry Fee: Paid
    • Why It's Great: One of the oldest art organizations in Western New York, annual juried show with deep institutional history

  9. SpiceTopia Member Show: June 11 – July 30, 2026

    • Gallery: Buenaventura Art Association
    • Location: Ventura County, CA
    • Deadline: June 3, 2026
    • Entry Fee: Paid
    • Why It's Great: Long-established California gallery group with 118+ shows on our platform, multi-venue exhibition program

  10. Echoes of Place

    • Gallery: Island Arts Council
    • Deadline: June 15, 2026
    • Entry Fee: Paid
    • Why It's Great: Landscape and place-based themes, open to all media, established arts council with consistent exhibition programming

Regional Painting Exhibitions Worth Entering

Pro Tip: Many regional art centers host annual juried exhibitions. Check calls in your state for opportunities with lower competition and meaningful local exposure.

Best for Photographers

From fine art to documentary photography, these calls celebrate photographic excellence across all genres.

Browse All Active Photography Calls →

Top Photography Competitions for 2026

  1. Members' Exhibit 2026

    • Gallery: Viewpoint Photographic Art Center
    • Location: Sacramento, CA
    • Deadline: June 9, 2026
    • Entry Fee: Paid
    • Why It's Great: Sacramento's dedicated photography gallery with 44+ shows on our platform, strong curatorial vision

  2. The Black & White Show

    • Gallery: Sacramento Fine Arts Center
    • Location: Sacramento, CA
    • Deadline: June 18, 2026
    • Entry Fee: Paid
    • Why It's Great: A dedicated monochrome exhibition from one of Northern California's most active fine art centers. 73 artists entered — high competition signals real prizes and real exposure. All monochromatic media welcome.

  3. Through the Lens

    • Gallery: Workshop13, Cultural Arts & Learning Center
    • Deadline: July 7, 2026
    • Entry Fee: Paid
    • Why It's Great: Photography-specific call, curated by experienced jurors, all photographic styles welcome

  4. Call for Exhibit Proposals 2027

    • Gallery: Viewpoint Photographic Art Center
    • Location: Sacramento, CA
    • Deadline: June 30, 2026
    • Entry Fee: Paid
    • Why It's Great: Solo and group exhibition proposals for 2027 season — one of the best ways to land a dedicated show

  5. Pro/Fuse

    • Gallery: Woman Made Gallery
    • Location: Chicago, IL
    • Deadline: May 30, 2026
    • Entry Fee: Paid
    • Why It's Great: Woman Made Gallery's themed open call — photography and all media accepted. 53 artists already entered. Chicago institution with strong feminist arts programming.

  6. 47th Annual Peace Exhibition – Nagasaki Prefectural Museum of Art

    • Gallery: LELA International Artists
    • Location: Nagasaki, Japan (International)
    • Deadline: May 30, 2026
    • Entry Fee: Paid
    • Why It's Great: 47-year history, international museum venue, photography and all media accepted, major peace-themed exhibition

  7. US – Immigrant Diaspora in the USA

    • Gallery: Orange County Center for Contemporary Art
    • Location: Orange County, CA
    • Deadline: May 31, 2026
    • Entry Fee: Paid
    • Why It's Great: Documentary photography welcome, contemporary art center, culturally significant theme

  8. 8th Annual Northeast Fine Arts Exhibition

    • Gallery: Workshop13, Cultural Arts & Learning Center
    • Deadline: July 18, 2026
    • Entry Fee: Paid
    • Why It's Great: Multi-medium including photography, strong annual show, eight-year track record

  9. 46th Annual Arts of the Terrace Juried Art Show

    • Gallery: Mountlake Terrace Friends of the Arts
    • Location: Mountlake Terrace, WA
    • Deadline: August 15, 2026
    • Entry Fee: Paid
    • Why It's Great: Pacific Northwest show accepting photography, 46 consecutive years

  10. The Unexpected Portrait

    • Gallery: Workshop13, Cultural Arts & Learning Center
    • Deadline: August 21, 2026
    • Entry Fee: Paid
    • Why It's Great: Portrait photography welcome, creative theme with room for diverse interpretations

Specialized Photography Categories

Pro Tip: Enter competitions aligned with your specific photography style. Themed competitions attract more focused curatorial selections than open calls.

Best for Sculptors & 3D Artists

Sculpture and 3D art require different exhibition considerations. These calls understand the unique needs of dimensional work.

Browse All Active Sculpture Calls →

Top Sculpture Opportunities for 2026

  1. Sculpture NOW 2026

    • Gallery: Washington Sculptors Group
    • Location: Washington, DC
    • Deadline: June 23, 2026
    • Entry Fee: Paid
    • Why It's Great: The Washington Sculptors Group is one of the most respected sculpture organizations in the country. Sculpture NOW is their open juried annual — a serious opportunity for serious 3D artists.

  2. Pocono State Craft Festival 2026

    • Gallery: Pocono Crafts
    • Location: Stroudsburg, PA
    • Deadline: June 5, 2026
    • Entry Fee: Paid
    • Why It's Great: 112 artists have entered — one of the biggest craft-specific calls on our platform. Ceramics, fiber, wood, glass, and mixed-media 3D work all eligible. Pennsylvania craft tradition with serious collector attendance.

  3. 46th Annual Arts of the Terrace – Miniatures

    • Gallery: Mountlake Terrace Friends of the Arts
    • Location: Mountlake Terrace, WA
    • Deadline: August 15, 2026
    • Entry Fee: Paid
    • Why It's Great: Small-scale sculpture and 3D work eligible, 46-year show, separate miniature category makes it more accessible

  4. 8th Annual Northeast Fine Arts Exhibition

    • Gallery: Workshop13, Cultural Arts & Learning Center
    • Deadline: July 18, 2026
    • Entry Fee: Paid
    • Why It's Great: Fine arts juried show accepting 3D work, consistent eight-year run

  5. US – Immigrant Diaspora in the USA

    • Gallery: Orange County Center for Contemporary Art
    • Location: Orange County, CA
    • Deadline: May 31, 2026
    • Entry Fee: Paid
    • Why It's Great: Contemporary art center accepting installation and 3D work, strong curatorial vision

  6. AOPR Summer 2026 Membership Exhibition

    • Gallery: Arts of Point Richmond
    • Location: Point Richmond, CA
    • Deadline: May 30, 2026
    • Entry Fee: Paid
    • Why It's Great: Bay Area gallery accepting 3D work, active community gallery with 22 shows on our platform

  7. 2026 Summer Exhibition

    • Gallery: Buffalo Society of Artists
    • Location: Buffalo, NY
    • Deadline: May 31, 2026
    • Entry Fee: Paid
    • Why It's Great: One of the oldest arts organizations in Western New York, accepts sculpture and 3D art

  8. The Unexpected Portrait

    • Gallery: Workshop13, Cultural Arts & Learning Center
    • Deadline: August 21, 2026
    • Entry Fee: Paid
    • Why It's Great: Portrait-themed works in any medium including sculpture and ceramics

  9. Archway Gallery's 18th Annual Juried Exhibition

    • Gallery: Archway Gallery
    • Location: Houston, TX
    • Deadline: June 12, 2026
    • Entry Fee: Paid
    • Why It's Great: Houston artist cooperative accepting all media including 3D work, 18-year run with consistent curatorial standards

  10. 46th Annual Arts of the Terrace – All Categories

    • Gallery: Mountlake Terrace Friends of the Arts
    • Location: Mountlake Terrace, WA
    • Deadline: August 15, 2026
    • Entry Fee: Paid
    • Why It's Great: 46-year juried show accepting sculpture across all scale categories

Pro Tip: For sculptors, public art RFQs often offer the best financial opportunities. Many cities have 1% for Art programs requiring sculpture installations.

Best Free Calls (No Entry Fee)

Quality opportunities don't always require entry fees. These free calls offer legitimate exposure without the financial barrier.

Browse All Free Calls →

Top Free Entry Opportunities for 2026

  1. Adolph & Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant Program

    • Gallery: Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Foundation
    • Location: New York, NY
    • Deadline: Rolling (accepted year-round)
    • Entry Fee: FREE
    • Why It's Great: Emergency funding for mature artists (10+ years practice) facing unexpected hardship, established foundation with decades of history

  2. CERF+'s Craft Emergency Relief Fund

    • Gallery: Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+)
    • Location: Montpelier, VT
    • Deadline: Rolling (accepted year-round)
    • Entry Fee: FREE
    • Why It's Great: Emergency grants for craft artists facing career-threatening disasters, no application fee or deadline pressure

  3. Chromatic – A Free Online Exhibition of Color & Abstract Expression

    • Gallery: CEV Art Gallery
    • Deadline: July 2, 2026
    • Entry Fee: FREE
    • Why It's Great: Free online exhibition with curatorial selection, color and abstraction theme, open internationally

  4. Expressions of Peace Juried Exhibition

    • Gallery: LELA International Artists
    • Deadline: July 5, 2026
    • Entry Fee: Paid (free application materials)
    • Why It's Great: International reach, peace and humanitarian theme, gallery with 8+ years on our platform

  5. PleinAir Salon Online Art Competition

    • Gallery: PleinAir Magazine
    • Location: Online
    • Entry Fee: FREE (select rounds)
    • Why It's Great: Long-running competition with magazine publication, plein air painting focus, new rounds open throughout 2026

  6. Light Space & Time – Annual Online Competitions

    • Gallery: Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery
    • Location: Online
    • Entry Fee: FREE (select competitions)
    • Why It's Great: Multiple themed competitions run year-round; established online gallery with 16+ years of competitions

  7. Mudhouse Fellowship Award 2026

    • Location: Crete
    • Entry Fee: FREE
    • Why It's Great: International artist residency, no application fee, career-level opportunity

  8. SAC International Curatorial Residency Program 2026

    • Location: Barcelona, Spain
    • Entry Fee: FREE
    • Why It's Great: International curatorial residency, no fee, prestigious European arts program

  9. Lakeville Area Arts Center Exhibitions

    • Gallery: Lakeville Area Arts Center
    • Location: Lakeville, MN
    • Entry Fee: FREE
    • Why It's Great: Minnesota community gallery, rotating exhibition opportunities throughout 2026

  10. America 250 City Poster Project

    • Location: Multiple US cities
    • Entry Fee: FREE
    • Why It's Great: National bicentennial initiative, public art legacy, multiple city opportunities across 2026

Additional Free Opportunities

Why Some Calls Are Free

Legitimate reasons for free entry:

  • Sponsored by brands or organizations (foundations, city programs)
  • Gallery takes commission on sales (art fairs, gallery exhibitions)
  • Grants or public funding support (government arts programs)
  • Building community or platform (emerging galleries, online platforms)

Warning Signs: Be cautious of free calls that:

  • Require you to use specific suppliers
  • Demand exclusive rights to your work
  • Ask for personal information beyond contact details
  • Have no clear organization or contact info

Best Regional Opportunities

Northeast

New York:

Pennsylvania:

Connecticut:

Massachusetts:

Regional (Northeast Fine Arts):

Mid-Atlantic & South

Washington, DC:

Ohio:

Texas:

Midwest

Illinois:

Pacific Northwest:

West Coast

Northern California:

Southern California:

International

Browse by State →

View Deadlines by Month →

How We Selected These Calls

We evaluated opportunities based on:

Legitimacy

  • ✓ Established organization with proven track record on EntryThingy
  • ✓ Multiple past exhibitions verifiable on our platform
  • ✓ Clear terms and conditions
  • ✓ Transparent jurying process
  • ✓ Verifiable past winners and exhibitions

Value for Artists

  • ✓ Reasonable entry fees relative to prizes/exposure
  • ✓ Quality of galleries and organizations
  • ✓ Exhibition opportunities (physical or online)
  • ✓ Professional presentation
  • ✓ Networking potential

Exposure & Impact

  • ✓ Industry recognition and reputation
  • ✓ Gallery quality and venue
  • ✓ Career advancement potential
  • ✓ Community and connections
  • ✓ Portfolio-building value

Fair Practices

  • ✓ Respectful of artist rights
  • ✓ Clear communication
  • ✓ Professional organization
  • ✓ Positive artist feedback
  • ✓ Verified through EntryThingy's gallery vetting process

Red Flags We Avoid:

  • Excessive entry fees ($100+) with minimal prizes
  • Rights grabs (demanding ownership of your work)
  • Unclear judging criteria
  • No past exhibition history
  • Requests for original work before selection
  • Pressure to purchase awards or publications

Additional Resources for Finding Art Calls

Where to Find More Opportunities

EntryThingy Platform:

What Makes EntryThingy Different:

  • Aggregates from CaFE, Zapplication, ArtCall, ShowSubmit, AND independent galleries
  • Free to browse (no subscription required)
  • Updated daily with new opportunities
  • Filter by medium, location, deadline, entry fee
  • See everything in one place

Tips for Maximizing Your Success

Before You Apply

  1. Research the opportunity thoroughly

    • Check the gallery/organization website
    • Look at past exhibitions on their social media
    • Read terms and conditions carefully
    • Calculate cost vs. potential benefit

  2. Assess your fit

    • Does your work align with their aesthetic?
    • Do you meet eligibility requirements?
    • Can you deliver if accepted (shipping, installation, etc.)?

  3. Prepare strong materials

    • High-quality images (at least 300 DPI, 1920px on longest side)
    • Compelling artist statement
    • Professional CV/resume
    • Strong project descriptions

During the Application Process

  1. Follow instructions exactly

    • Image requirements (size, format, DPI)
    • File naming conventions
    • Deadline times (most close at midnight in the gallery's time zone)

  2. Submit early

    • Avoid last-minute technical issues
    • Give yourself time to request help if needed
    • Early submissions often receive more careful review

  3. Keep records

    • Screenshot your submission confirmation
    • Note deadlines in your calendar
    • Track what you submitted and when

After Submitting

  1. Be patient

    • Jurying takes time (typically 2-8 weeks after deadline)
    • Don't follow up until after the announced notification date

  2. Handle rejection professionally

    • Every artist faces rejection — it's not personal
    • Ask for feedback when it's offered
    • Resubmit to future calls from the same organization

  3. Celebrate acceptances

    • Share your success with the gallery's community
    • Document your exhibition with professional photos
    • Add the exhibition to your CV and portfolio

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if an art call is legitimate?

Look for: an established organization with a searchable history, clear terms and conditions, a transparent jury process, reasonable entry fees (typically $25–$50 for juried shows), and verifiable past exhibitions. Red flags include demands for original work upfront, excessive fees, or unclear contact information.

What's a reasonable entry fee?

For most juried gallery shows: $25–$50 per entry is standard. Higher fees ($75–$150) are acceptable for prestigious competitions with significant prizes. Fees over $200 for small prizes warrant scrutiny. Free calls from established organizations are legitimate — they're typically funded by sponsors or gallery commissions.

How many calls should I enter per year?

Most active artists enter 10–30 calls per year. Quality over quantity matters more than volume. Focus on calls that align with your work and build relationships with galleries whose aesthetic matches yours.

Can I submit the same work to multiple calls?

Usually yes — most calls only require exclusivity after acceptance, not during application. Read each call's terms carefully. Some calls explicitly state they accept work shown elsewhere; others require it hasn't been exhibited.

What makes a strong submission?

  • Images that accurately represent your work's colors, scale, and texture
  • An artist statement that speaks to your process and intent (not just describes the work)
  • A CV that lists exhibitions chronologically with dates and venues
  • Work that fits the call's theme without being overly literal

This list is updated monthly. All deadlines verified as of May 2026. Browse the full calls list →

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