Open Calls for Artists, Hand-picked Weekly

Toronto Arts Council Grants: Artists in the Library

Grants up to CAD 20,000, covering up to 100% of project costs. Payment of professional artist fees is a requirement of the program. Programming takes place September to December 2027 in Toronto Public Library branches.

The Toronto Arts Council's Artists in the Library grant supports arts programming in Toronto Public Library branches. Open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons who have resided in Toronto for at least one year and live/work there at least 8 months a…

Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award 2026

AUD $50,000 non-acquisitive prize; finalists receive an artist loan fee and a contribution towards artwork freight costs

The Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award is one of Australia's major prizes for realistic portraiture. The biennial AUD $50,000 award is non-acquisitive.

Residency Open Call for Artists Based in Central America 2027

Fully funded 11-week residency in London (7 April to 22 June 2027); supported by the Shelagh Wakely Bequest

Gasworks invites early-career artists based in Central America for a fully funded 11-week self-led residency in London. The programme supports professional development, cultural exchange, and artistic experimentation through administrative, pastoral, and curatorial support.

Call for Proposals: Muskoka Fall Photo Op Artwork

CAD 1,000 plus HST

The Town of Gravenhurst, Ontario invites artists to submit proposals for an original artwork celebrating Fall in Muskoka. The selected design will be fabricated as a large-scale 4 ft. by 8 ft.

SSA 128th Annual Exhibition, General Submissions 2027

The Society of Scottish Artists invites general submissions for its 128th Annual Exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy on The Mound in Edinburgh, running 14 February to 10 March 2027.

Call for Expressions of Interest: Wabanaki Ornamental Doorway, Mount Allison University

Total project budget of $100,000 CAD, all inclusive, covering artist fees, supplies or materials, travel and applicable taxes. No fees are paid for the preparation of an Expression of Interest; only the successful proponent receives compensation.

Mount Allison University invites Wabanaki artists and Wabanaki-led teams to submit Expressions of Interest for a permanent public artwork for an ornamental doorway portico at the R.P. Bell Library Centre for Innovation and Learning in Sackville, New Brunswick.

Call for Expressions of Interest: Mi'kmaq Basketry Public Art, Mount Allison University

Total project budget of $100,000 CAD, all inclusive, covering all artist fees, design development, mock-ups, materials, fabrication, transportation, installation and applicable taxes. No honoraria are paid for Expressions of Interest; only the successful proponent receives compensation.

Mount Allison University invites Mi'kmaq basket makers and Mi'kmaq-led artistic teams to submit Expressions of Interest for a permanent public artwork celebrating the basketry traditions of Mi'kma'ki, to be installed in the R.P.

Circulation and Touring Grant

Circulation and Touring is one of ten funding opportunities in Arts Across Canada and Abroad, the Canada Council program introduced in 2025 that combines the former Arts Across Canada and Arts Abroad programs.

Earth Partner Prize 2026

Eight finalists receive cash prizes of $10,000, $5,000, or $2,000; twenty additional creatives receive honorable mentions.

The Earth Partner Prize is a free global competition for young creatives aged 14 to 30, inviting work that responds to ecological crises. The 2026 edition is supported by the Global Environment Facility and Re:wild, with judging by an internationally recognized panel.

The Defiance Award 2026

AUD$5,000 cash prize, solo exhibition, and 2-week Giverny Artist Residency (winner); AUD$2,000 cash prize and 10-day residency (Corridor Project Residency Award)

The Defiance Award is an annual painting prize at Defiance Gallery in Paddington, Sydney, founded to discover, support, and profile exceptional Australian painters.

YICCA International Contest of Contemporary Art

1st prize: 3,000 EUR; 2nd prize: 1,000 EUR; 3rd prize: 500 EUR; special student prize: 1,000 EUR. 18 finalists exhibited and featured in a YICCA catalog distributed to professionals and institutions; networking with critics, curators, and gallery representatives.

YICCA is an international juried contest open to all media and techniques, including video, performance, and installation. A jury selects 18 finalists whose work is exhibited and featured in a catalog distributed to professionals and institutions.

The Royal Institute of Oil Painters Annual Exhibition 2026

Over £10,000 in prizes, including the Roger Remington Award of £4,000, the Winsor & Newton Young Artist Awards of £1,000, £600 and £400, the Stanley Grimm Prize of £700, the Daler-Rowney Award of £500, the ROI Themed Painting Prize of £500 and the Peter Wileman Award of £500.

The Royal Institute of Oil Painters holds its Annual Exhibition at Mall Galleries in London and opens submissions to artists worldwide working in oil.