Quad City Arts
  • About
  • Programs
    • Art Services
    • Visiting Artist Series
    • Public Sculpture Program
    • Metro Arts Youth Apprenticeship Program
    • Arts Dollars Grant Program
  • Events
    • All Events
    • Annual High School Art Invitational
    • Chalk Art Fest
    • Riverssance Festival
    • Performing Arts Signature Series (PASS)
    • Annual Celebration & Lloyd Awards
    • Festival of Trees
  • Galleries
    • Rock Island Gallery
    • Airport Gallery
    • Second Avenue Window
    • Past Exhibits
  • Opportunities
  • Blog
  • Support
  • Artist Index
Picture

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.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: ONGOING

​ARTIST INDEX

Be included. Be counted. BE FOUND. 
​
We invite artists to be a part of our Artist Index. This digital platform is completely FREE and is meant to be a resource for the community. The index can aid in searching for artists to hire for commissions, purchasing regional art, working on corporate/city projects, or just exploring and seeing the talent in our region. 
​
Organization: Quad City Arts
Entry Fee: FREE
Type: Public Index
Eligibility: 250 mile radius 
Categories: All Artists
Picture
SUBMIT YOUR work
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: May 10, 2023

ILLINOIS CREATIVE RECOVERY GRANTS

Thanks to advocacy efforts by a statewide coalition led by Arts Alliance IL, The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will distribute $50 million in grant money to assist businesses, nonprofit organizations, and sole proprietors in the creative sector that have suffered losses because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications will open on April 5, and eligibility guidelines and more are available at Illinois.gov/B2B. Arts Alliance is your go-to resource for help with your application. Visit their website at artsalliance.org/creativerecovery.

Beginning on Monday, March 27, a help desk number will be available to guide prospective applicants through common questions about the opportunity. If their help desk is unable to answer your question, they will also be available for 1:1 virtual assistance.

Important Dates:
​March 21 - Grant opportunity is announced
March 24 - DCEO Informational Webinar at 10AM (Register here)
March 27 - Arts Alliance help desk goes live
April 5 - First day to submit an application
May 10 - Grant portal closes at 11:59pm

Organization: Arts Alliance IL
Type: Grant
Eligibility: 
businesses, nonprofit organizations, sole proprietors & artists (LLCs) residing in Illinois
Picture
Submit Your Grant APPLICATION
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: March 31, 2023

METRO ARTS YOUTH APPRENTICESHIPS

Metro Arts brings together artistically talented young adults and provides them with productive, creative, paid apprenticeships in the arts. The program is open to any student age 15-21 residing in the Quad Cities region. Participants will work on group projects under the supervision of a professional artist. Participants learn the artistic techniques and applications of their particular genre while developing personally and professionally.

Organization: Quad City Arts
Entry Fee: FREE
Type: Stipend (Apprentices receive $500, and Senior Apprentices (project leaders) receive $750)
Eligibility: Students age 15-21 residing in the Quad Cities
Categories: Improv, Graphic Design, Mural Painting, Poetry
Picture
Apply Today
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: June 12, 2023

Call for Artists Entry/Fall & Spring 23-24 ArtSpace Gallery Exhibitions

Currently seeking artists for 23-24 school year and beyond. Email 3 images of your artwork, an artist statement/bio, a description of what you plan to display, and (if applicable) a website URL to GRAYT@BHC.EDU for consideration.

Organization: BHC Department of Art, Design and Performing Arts
Entry Fee: FREE

Type: Exhibit
Eligibility: 
IA/IL and the surrounding region
Categories: All 2D/3D media (no video or screen-based works)
Picture
Submit Your Work
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: March 31, 2023

DuMA Biennial call for 2023 entry​

Founded in 2003, the DuMA Biennial is a highly-competitive, juried exhibition highlighting leading contemporary, regional artists who are actively producing and presenting new work. This year's juror is Pamela Hugdahl, Executive Director, Rochester Art Center.

Applications are now being taken for the 2023 season, June 17- October 8.

Organization: Dubuque Museum of Art
Entry Fee:  
$40 for up to three (3) works
Type: Exhibit
Eligibility:  age 
18+ & within 200 mile radius of Dubuque, IA
Categories: Clay, Paper, Fiber, Metal, Glass,  Wood, Mixed Media, Painting
Picture
Submit Your Work
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: April 2, 2023

Public Sculpture Open Call

Quad City Arts announces the open call for entries for the public sculpture program to be considered for exhibition in the Quad Cities on a one-year lease ($1,500 stipend). Submissions will be placed at points of interest, to inspire discussion, and attract visitors to the community. Artists may submit up to five (5) pieces to be considered for all sites.
​
Organization: Quad City Arts
Entry Fee: Free
Type: Outdoor Exhibit 
Eligibility: 350 mile radius 
Categories: Outdoor Sculpture
Picture
SUBMIT YOUR work
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: April 3, 2023

Iowa Arts Council: 2022-2023 Iowa Scholarship for the Arts


The Iowa Scholarship for the Arts supports the development of outstanding high school seniors who excel in the arts and are enrolled in accredited educational programs leading to careers in the arts. Scholarships in the amount of $2,500 are awarded to support 2023-2024 academic year tuition expenses at Iowa colleges or universities.

Submit 3-5 artistic work samples that best represent the quality and type of artwork the applicant creates. Artistic work samples should demonstrate the type of artwork the applicant intends to study in college and support the stated vision and goals outlined in the application. Appropriate media include visual, literary, and performing arts.
​
The applicant must be an Iowa resident who will graduate from an Iowa high school during the 2022-2023 school year and be accepted as a full-time undergraduate student at a fully-accredited Iowa college or university with a major in at least one of the following arts areas: animation, architecture, creative writing, dance, English, fashion, fine arts education, folk & traditional arts, graphic design, literature, media arts, music, theatre or visual arts. Immediate family members or dependent children of Iowa Arts Council board and staff are not eligible.

Organization: Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
Entry Fee: FREE
Type: Scholarship
Categories:
Scholarships of $2,500
Picture
FILL OUT FORM
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: May 27, 2023

Quad Cities CHALK ART FEST

The 7th Annual Quad Cities Chalk Art Fest will take place June 24-25 at Schwiebert Riverfront Park in downtown Rock Island. Designed to celebrate artists coming together to share their creative talents with the community. Chalk artists will have a total of two days to fully render a chalk masterpiece for judging! Roughly $2,150 in awards. 

Organization: Quad City Arts
Entry Fee: FREE
Type: Awards

Eligibility: Youth 12-17, and Adults 
Categories: Chalk Art
Picture
REGISTER For Event
Find out more
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: December 30, 2023

Call for Artists to Display ARTWORK
​at the Moline Public Library

The Moline Public Library, is seeking artists for temporary displays. Displays of 2 to 3 months to allow a full range of our public to see and appreciate the artwork. There is no fee to display and no commission on any works purchased. There are spaces next to each display area for artists to show contact information. As this is not retail space we do not allow prices on the works themselves. 
 
All proposed shows need to be primarily 2-D artwork. There is limited availability of 3-D art display space. The main show is in our central “Blue Wall” area ( 30' long), and Gallery Hallway Cases (2x 7'wide x 9' tall x 18" deep) that space is for 2-D work only. We also accept proposals for two artists or small group shows. Please contact, David Zahn at dzahnkoi@yahoo.com for more information with sample images. 
​
Organization: Moline Public Library
Entry Fee: FREE
Type: Exhibit
Eligibility: n/a
Categories: 2D work, some small 3D work
Picture
EMAIL Your Work
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: ONGOING

JOIN ARTIST COOPERATIVE IN HISTORIC BISHOP HILL

Bishop Hill Creative Commons is a for-profit arts cooperative dedicated to helping artists make a living from their creative endeavors. In addition to our art gallery, we regularly host classes, workshops, storytelling events, and concerts, featuring performers from all over the globe. Interested artists may email foxtales@foxtalesint.com with samples of your work.

Organization: Bishop Hill Creative Commons
Entry Fee: $35
Type:
Membership
Eligibility: Within driving distance of Bishop Hill in order to work shifts at the shop and/or participate in co-op activities.
Categories: All Contemporary Media
Picture
LEarn More
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: ONGOING

Call for Artists to Display ARTWORK
​at the Gilded Pear Gallery

Gilded Pear Gallery represents local and national artists. We are interested in all contemporary media. Artists may email lauren@gildedpeargallery.com with a PDF portfolio, artist statement, CV, and links to artist website/socials. 
​
Organization:
Gilded Pear Gallery
Entry Fee: FREE
Type:
Gallery Display
Eligibility: n/a
Categories: All Contemporary Media
Picture
Submit your work
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: ONGOING

Second Avenue Window Gallery 

Quad City Arts features the work of emerging artists who have 10-20 canvases or framed pieces of art to exhibit in our Second Avenue Window Gallery for 6-8 weeks. Sculpture is also welcome. All artists will be featured with their own page on our website during the exhibit. To apply, click to add your contact information, tell us about yourself (how you decided to express yourself visually) and tell us about your artwork. (Subject matter, medium, size range and inspiration.) Submit 5 clear images of your artwork.
​
Organization: Quad City Arts
Entry Fee: Free
Type: Gallery Display
Eligibility: 250 mile radius 
Categories: Painting, Photography, Drawing, Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline, Sculpture
Picture
SUBMIT YOUR work
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
Picture
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!

Let's Get Social

Be first to know about our digital programming, insider news, our latest projects projects, and much more!
Quad City Arts does not trade, share, or sell information that you provide to us. 

​Rock Island Gallery
​& Store Hours

Mon–Fri: 10a–5p
Sat: 11a–5p
Closed Sundays

CONTACT

Phone: 309.793.1213
Fax: 309.793.1265
info@quadcityarts.com
1715 2nd Ave, Rock Island, IL 61201

HOME
About
Programs

 • Visiting Artist Series
 • Public Sculpture Program 
 • Metro Arts Youth Apprenticeship 
 • Arts Dollars Grants
 • Visual Art Opportunities
 • Artworks Expo
 • High School Art Invitational

EVENTS

  • Chalk Art Fest
  • Riverssance Festival
  • Festival Of Trees
  • Annual Celebration
      & Lloyd Awards

  • Performing Arts Signature Series

GALLERIES

  • Rock Island Gallery
  • ​Airport Gallery

STORE
BLOG
SUPPORT & Donate

​SUPPORT 

Make a tax-deductible donation to Quad City Arts and support art in your community!
DONATE

ABOUT

Quad City Arts is dedicated to enriching the quality of life in the Quad City region through the arts. The organization’s dual role of presenting the arts and humanities, as well as serving as an arts resource, allows us to serve more than 350,000 people annually in the Arts Center in Rock Island and at over 200 rural and urban community sites.​

Looking for something?

VIDEO FOOTAGE PROVIDED BY DPHILMS AND MICKLE COMMUNICATIONS
© 2023 Quad City Arts is a 501(c)(3). Privacy Statement
  • About
  • Programs
    • Art Services
    • Visiting Artist Series
    • Public Sculpture Program
    • Metro Arts Youth Apprenticeship Program
    • Arts Dollars Grant Program
  • Events
    • All Events
    • Annual High School Art Invitational
    • Chalk Art Fest
    • Riverssance Festival
    • Performing Arts Signature Series (PASS)
    • Annual Celebration & Lloyd Awards
    • Festival of Trees
  • Galleries
    • Rock Island Gallery
    • Airport Gallery
    • Second Avenue Window
    • Past Exhibits
  • Opportunities
  • Blog
  • Support
  • Artist Index