Art Competitions & Exhibitions, Festivals, Art Fairs

McKinney Main Street in Texas invites artists to submit their artwork (photography or digital art) for a custom design that will be translated into a perforated metal panel on the exterior space of the new planetarium. The artist will be compensated $5,000 for the design and use of artwork. The selected finalist will work closely with city staff and metal fabricators on commissioned piece. Eligible media includes photography, illustrations, and digital art. Must be 21+ to apply. Images should clearly represent the library’s mission, “We serve our community by providing access to materials and experiences that educate, inform, and entertain.” Applications are reviewed by MAC and the City of McKinney. Accepted artists will be contacted with more information regarding contract terms, and exhibition terms. Free to apply. Deadline: October 16, 2025. More info. Contact: email or call 972-547-9023.

American Women Artists announces a call to artists for a juried art exhibition, February 13 – April 26, 2026 at the Customs House Museum in Clarksville, TN. $30,000 in awards. Jurors: Kirsten Kokkin, Marcia Goldenstein, Vivian Chiu. Open to women at least 18 years of age, who are working in the fine arts and residents of either the United States or Canada. To submit and show works, applicants and finalists must be a current member of American Women Artists. If you would like to join as a new member please visit our website. $60 entry fee. Deadline: October 17, 2025. More info. Contact: email or call 979-216-1630.

The Association for Visual Arts seeks artists for the 4 Bridges Arts Festival, April 17-19, 2026 at First Horizon Pavilion in Chattanooga, TN. 10 awards totaling $15,000. Artists must submit 4 excellent-quality images of a cohesive body of work that represent what they would be selling at the show, plus one image of their booth as they have set it up at a previous show (must be a standard 10 x 10′ art festival booth). 16 media categories accepted: 2-D/3-D Mixed Media; Basketry; Ceramics; Digital Art; Drawing; Fiber/Leather; Furniture; Glass; Jewelry; Metal; Painting: Oil/Acrylic; Painting: Watercolor; Photography/Digital Photography; Printmaking; Sculpture; Wood. $45 application fee. Deadline: October 31, 2025. More info. Contact: email or call 423-265-4282.

UpMarket Gallery in Asheville, NC announces a call to artists for a juried art exhibition, November 28, 2025 – January 9, 2026. First Place: $500, Second Place: $300, Third Place: $200. Jurors: Sharon McAllister and Carolyn Graham Edlund. Eligible media: Painting, Drawing, Mixed Media, Printmaking, Jewelry, and Sculpture (made with clay, glass, wood, fiber, stone, metal or mixed media). $25 entry fee. Deadline: October 31, 2025. More info. Contact: email or call 828-998-4898.

Join us in the heart of Cajun Country for the 12th Annual Teche Plein Air Competition, a juried event celebrating the beauty, culture, and spirit of the Bayou Teche region. Paintings will be on display March 13 and 14 at Sliman Theatre in New Iberia, Louisiana. Over $12,000 in awards. Juror: Charlie Hunter. This competition invites talented plein air artists from across the world to capture the charm of Acadiana, with its vibrant southern landscapes. Open to professional and emerging plein air artists, 18 years and older. All media must be completed on-site and within the event boundaries. $45 entry fee. Deadline: November 1, 2025. More info. Contact: email or call (337)369-2300.

Artists are invited to submit entries for the Baytown Sculpture Trail, on display April 12, 2026 to March 21, 2027 outdoors in the historic downtown arts district of Baytown, TX. $1500 honorarium per accepted piece, $1500 Best of Show, $1500 People’s Choice. Seeking sculpture of any genre suited for the outdoors for a period of one year. Must be a minimum of 42 inches in either height or length. $25 for first two entries/ $18 thereafter. Deadline: November 2, 2025. More info. Contact: email

The Art League of Baytown, Texas and www.visitbaytown.com seek entries for a juried exhibition, April 12 – March 21, 2026 in Baytown, TX. Awards: 1st $350; 2nd $250; 3rd $150; 3HM at $50 each. Juror: Catherine Couturier. Theme for the show is “A Sense of Place”. No limit to the age of the art. Maximum framed dimension is 36 inches on the long side. $40 for first 5 entries. An additional 5 may be entered at $6 each. Deadline: November 2, 2025. More info. Contact: email or call 281-427-2222.

Artists worldwide are invited to apply for the Palm Beach Fine Craft Show, held February 13-15, 2026 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, FL. Awards: Best in Show, Best New Artist & Artist Choice. Eligible media: Basketry, ceramics, decorative fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper, wearable art, and wood. $35 application fee. Deadline: November 3, 2025. More info. Contact: email or call 561-822-5440.

The Naples Art Institute announces a call to artists for the Naples Downtown Art Fair, March 21-22, 2026 at Cambier Park in Naples, FL. Awards. Submissions accepted across all fine art disciplines. $39 application fee. Deadline: November 3, 2025. More info. Contact: email or call 239-262-6517.

Artists are invited to apply for the Ballyhoo Festival, held March 7 and 8, 2026 at 20110 State Park Rd in Gulf Shores, Alabama. $6000 in awards. Original fine art and crafts. 75% of booth must be original art. 25% can be prints. Oil, watercolor, acrylic, encaustic, pastel, mixed media, folk art and other forms of 2D art. Sculpture, pottery, glass sculpture, wood sculpture, metal sculpture, jewelry and other forms of 3D art. $25 application fee. Deadline: November 15, 2025. More info. Contact: email or call 318-218-7673.

The Cedar Key Arts Center announces a call to artists for the annual Spring Arts Festival in Cedar Key, a juried Fine Arts and Crafts Event, held April 11-12, 2026 at Historic 2nd St. $14,000 in awards. The venue welcomes only 100 fine artists and craftsmen to keep the focus on art and allow plenty of room for artists and art enthusiasts to interact. Cedar Key, which has been named one of the top Arts Small Town Fairs in America, is nestled in the center of Florida’s Nature Coast, 60 miles SW of Gainesville. Proceeds benefit the Cedar Key Arts Center and local non-profit organizations that serve homemade goodies and local seafood in beachfront City Park, Saturday, 10am-5pm, and Sunday, 10am-4pm. $225 booth fee. Deadline: November 15, 2025. More info. Contact: email or call 352-543-5400.

Taking place March 20-22, 2026 at Station No.2 in Wilmington, NC, this national juried exhibition invites artists and audiences to explore how art can be a catalyst for change. Presented by ARTnNCevents, M.A.D. showcases powerful works that confront, question, and inspire. The theme challenges artists to interpret what it means to make a difference in their own lives, in their communities, and in the world. Whether it’s choosing self-care, advocating for justice, protecting the environment, or fostering connection, this show celebrates the many ways we can take meaningful action. M.A.D. will feature artists across a range of mediums – from painting and sculpture to photography and mixed media – each telling stories of resilience, activism, growth, and vision. Proceeds from art sales will support both the artists and future community-based exhibitions. $45 entry fee. Deadline: February 1, 2026. More info. Contact: email or call 910-508-7630.