Opportunities for Artists
& calls for entry

PROVIDING opportunities for artists in the Quad Cities since 1970

Quad City Arts is committed to sharing opportunities for artists. By sharing these local calls for entry, public art COMMISSIONS, juried art competitions, sculpture commission and available grants, we further our mission by providing paid and beneficial opportunities for artists to thrive in our community.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 31, 2021

COVID-19 Relief Grant​

CERF+ the Artists Safety Net — The COVID-19 Relief Grant provides $1,000 to artists working in craft disciplines who are facing dire circumstances due to food, housing, and/or medical insecurities as a result of the ongoing pandemic.

Organization: CERF+ the Artists Safety Net
Entry Fee:  FREE 
Awards/Prizes: $1,000
Type: Grant
Application Deadline: August 31, 2021
Eligibility: Reside and work in the U.S. or U.S. Terrorities for the last two years
Categories: clay, glass, textiles, wood, metal; as well as those whose work expands on these historical definitions through the incorporation of non-traditional materials, new technologies and experimental approaches 

Apply Today

APPLICATION DEADLINE: September 1, 2021

Making Our History:
​Artists Render Lincoln’s Legacy

The University of Illinois Springfield Center for Lincoln Studies (CLS) and Visual Arts Program is seeking applicants for an innovative remote artist-in-residency program focusing on the legacies of Abraham Lincoln. Twenty artists are selected throughout the state to participate in the residency during 2021-2022. They will learn and think about Lincoln’s varied legacies in monthly meetings with each other and with faculty from Visual Arts and CLS; they will also present and discuss their art at several of the meetings. Each artist’s object is to create art that stimulates conversation about the American past.

Organization: University of Illinois Springfield
Entry Fee:  FREE 
Awards/Prizes: $2,500
Type: Residency
Application Deadline: September 1, 2021
Eligibility: Artists must be residents of Illinois during the period of the residency, participate in seven Zoom meetings during the residency program, agree to be filmed in their studio about the art-making process, and deliver a finished work of art to UIS by June 30, 2022. Artists will receive $2500 for their artwork, which will become the property of the University of Illinois.

Apply Today

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: ONGOING

Become a Featured Artist on "Quad Cities Live"

KWQC TV6 and Quad City Arts has formed a partnership to feature artists on their latest Friday segment "QC Live". TV6 encourages local artists to create and submit new versions of their Quad Cities Live logo. During these segments artists are able to talk about the inspiration for their logo and feature up to seven (7) pieces of artwork. All interviews are currently done remotely.

Organization: KWQC TV6
Entry Fee: FREE
Type: Interview/Exposure
Eligibility: 250 mile radius 
Categories: Photography, Drawing, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Painting, Sculpture

SUBMIT YOUR work

Have an opportunity you want to share with us?

Please fill the form below, approved listings will appear here until the marked deadline.

Opportunity Criteria

• Opportunities must be related to the arts or creative field and/or hosted by an arts organization or creative business.
• Local and regional opportunities are preferred.

*Please note that Quad City Arts reserves the right to omit opportunities that pay artists unfairly, require high application fees, ask artists to produce work for free or “for visibility”, or otherwise appear to not be beneficial for artists.

Need a correction?
If you would like to request a correction or listing update, please email us. 

Did you know that this artist opportunity board is a FREE resource and we never charge artists or arts organizations to be featured or to access it? Support this resource by donating to Quad City Arts. Become an art supporter today!