Do I need an MFA to get opportunities?

No. While MFA programs provide training and connections, many successful artists are self-taught or have non-traditional education. What matters is your work quality and professional presentation. Focus on building strong documentation and clear communication about your practice.

How do I get grants without previous grants?

Many grants specifically support emerging artists without extensive track records. Focus on applications that evaluate work quality over CV length. Start with local arts council grants and emerging artist programs. Your first grants build a track record for future applications.

Should I apply to competitive programs or focus on realistic ones?

Both. Include some aspirational applications where your work fits, but also apply to programs where you're competitive now. Build your track record with attainable opportunities while occasionally reaching for more competitive ones. Success builds on success.

How important is social media for emerging artists?

Social media can help build community and visibility but isn't essential for every artist. A professional portfolio (website or Artsumé profile) matters more for applications. If you use social media, maintain quality standards—poor images there can undermine professional materials.

I keep getting rejected. What should I do?

Rejection is normal—even excellent artists face it regularly. Request feedback when available, assess your applications honestly, improve documentation quality, and keep applying. Many successful artists were rejected repeatedly before receiving recognition. Persistence matters.

How do I know if I'm ready to apply for something?

If you have work you're proud of, proper documentation, and genuine fit with the opportunity, you're ready. Don't wait until you feel "ready enough"—apply while developing. The application process itself builds skills. The worst outcome is rejection, which happens to everyone.

How long does it take to build an art career?

There's no standard timeline. Some artists gain recognition quickly; others build slowly over decades. Focus on consistent practice: making work, documenting well, applying regularly, and building community. Career milestones come at different times for different artists.

Should I focus on a specific type of opportunity first?

Consider starting with exhibitions to build your CV, as these provide documentation opportunities and experience. Then add grants and residencies. But follow your actual needs—if you need materials, prioritize grants; if you need focused time, prioritize residencies.

How many applications should I submit?

Quality over quantity, but volume matters. Set a sustainable pace—perhaps 1-3 thoughtful applications per month. Avoid application fatigue by spreading deadlines throughout the year. Track your success rate and adjust your approach.

Is it worth paying entry fees for competitions?

Sometimes. Legitimate competitions from established organizations can be worth entry fees (typically $25-50). Avoid excessive fees or unclear value. Budget for applications as a career expense, but be selective. Free opportunities exist too.

Opportunities for Emerging Artists: Grants, Residencies &... | Artsumé

Opportunities for Emerging Artists: Grants, Residencies & Exhibitions#

Starting your art career can feel overwhelming. How do you get exhibitions without a track record? How do you apply for grants without previous grants? Where do emerging artists even find opportunities?

The good news: many programs specifically support emerging artists. This guide covers the best opportunities for artists early in their careers and strategies for building your professional foundation.

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Quick Answer

Many grants and residencies specifically target emerging artists
"Emerging" typically means 0-10 years into professional practice (definitions vary)
Focus on building your foundation: documentation, CV, artist statement
Apply to opportunities matched to your career stage, not just prestigious ones

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Key Takeaways

You don't need a long CV to start: Many programs welcome artists with limited exhibition history
Local opportunities build track records: Start with regional and community programs
Documentation matters now: Professional images of your work open doors
Persistence pays off: Rejection is normal; keep applying
Build relationships: Community connections lead to opportunities

What "Emerging Artist" Means#

The term "emerging artist" varies by program, but generally refers to:

Artists early in their professional careers (often 0-10 years post-education)
Artists who haven't yet received significant recognition or representation
Artists transitioning from student to professional practice

Common criteria:

Limited or no gallery representation
Few major exhibitions or awards
Working to establish professional practice
May or may not have formal education

Career stage terminology you'll encounter:

Term	Typical Meaning
Student	Currently enrolled in degree program
Emerging	0-10 years into professional practice
Mid-career	Established but not yet senior/retrospective level
Established	Significant recognition, gallery representation, institutional shows
Senior/Late-career	Retrospective-worthy, historically significant

Don't disqualify yourself prematurely. If a program targets emerging artists and your work is strong, apply. Let reviewers decide if you qualify—don't decide for them.

Types of Opportunities for Emerging Artists#

Emerging Artist Grants#

Many funders specifically support artists early in their careers:

Emergency and Project Grants:

Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grants
Awesome Foundation ($1,000 micro-grants)
Local arts council project grants
Gottlieb Foundation emergency assistance
Artist relief funds (various organizations)

Career Development Grants:

Pollock-Krasner Foundation (supports artists at all stages)
Various state and regional arts councils
Artist fellowship programs
Professional development grants
Travel grants for emerging artists

Material and Production Grants:

Grants for specific materials or equipment
Production funds for new work
Documentation grants
Research and development funding

Tips for emerging artists applying to grants:

Focus on work quality, not CV length
Be clear about where you are in your career
Show ambition and potential, not just accomplishment
Apply to programs that explicitly welcome emerging artists
Start with local and regional grants before national ones
Read eligibility carefully—some define "emerging" specifically

For detailed guidance, see our grant application guide.

Residencies for Emerging Artists#

Many residencies specifically support artists early in their careers:

Affordable/Emerging-Focused Programs:

Vermont Studio Center (scholarships available)
Ox-Bow School of Art
Anderson Ranch Arts Center
Penland School of Craft
Haystack Mountain School
Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts

Fully Funded Programs Welcoming Emerging Artists:

Skowhegan School (explicitly supports emerging artists)
MASS MoCA Assets for Artists
Many university-affiliated programs
Regional arts center residencies
International exchange residencies

Short-Term Residencies (good starting points):

Weekend or week-long intensives
Summer programs
Workshop-based residencies
Local artist-in-residence programs

Tips for emerging artists applying to residencies:

Don't be intimidated by competitive programs
Smaller or regional residencies build experience
Your work quality matters more than your CV
Show you'll use the time productively
Explain what the residency would enable
Apply to multiple programs simultaneously

For detailed guidance, see our residency application guide.

Exhibitions for Emerging Artists#

Building exhibition history requires starting somewhere:

Open Calls and Juried Shows:

Regional juried exhibitions
Themed group shows
Online exhibition opportunities
Pop-up and alternative spaces
Art center exhibitions

Emerging Artist-Specific:

"Emerging artist" labeled exhibitions
Student/recent graduate shows
First-time exhibitor programs
New talent showcases
MFA thesis exhibitions

DIY and Alternative:

Artist-run spaces
Apartment galleries
Pop-up exhibitions
Collaborative projects with other artists
Window galleries and alternative venues
Virtual/online exhibitions

Institutional First Steps:

University galleries and museums
Community art centers
Public library gallery spaces
Municipal buildings with gallery programs
Non-profit exhibition spaces

Student and Recent Graduate Programs#

If you're in school or recently graduated:

During School:

Thesis exhibition opportunities
Student grant programs
School-facilitated residencies
Study abroad exhibitions
Critique week presentations

Post-Graduation:

Alumni showcase programs
Recent graduate exhibitions
Emerging artist programs at former schools
Alumni network opportunities
Mentorship programs

Competitions and Awards#

Competitions can provide early recognition:

Regional art prizes
Media-specific competitions
Emerging artist awards
Portfolio competitions
Materials-sponsored awards

Approach competitions strategically:

Entry fees add up—be selective
Read judging criteria carefully
Some competitions primarily benefit organizers—research reputation
Awards from recognized institutions carry more weight

Where to Find Emerging Artist Opportunities#

Online Platforms#

Artsumé Opportunities - Filter by career stage
NYFA Source - Searchable grant database
Submittable Discover - Open calls across platforms
CaFÉ - Calls for entry
Artwork Archive - Opportunity listings
College Art Association - Professional resources

Local Resources#

Your state/provincial arts council
Regional artist organizations
Local galleries accepting submissions
University galleries and museums
Community arts centers
Municipal arts commissions
Artist-run spaces in your city

Community Networks#

Artist peers and mentors
Social media artist communities
Local artist groups and collectives
Professional organization memberships
Critique groups
Co-working and shared studio spaces

School Resources (Current and Alumni)#

Career services offices
Faculty connections
Alumni networks
School-posted opportunities
Visiting artist programs

Building Your Foundation#

Before applying anywhere, establish these fundamentals:

Professional Documentation#

Invest in proper documentation of your work:

Image Quality Requirements:

High-resolution images (at least 1800px on longest side)
Consistent lighting and backgrounds
Accurate color representation
Neutral or context-appropriate backgrounds
Clean, crisp images without distortion

What to Document:

Finished works
Installation views when relevant
Detail shots of important works
Process documentation (when useful)
Video documentation for time-based or performance work

Poor documentation disqualifies strong work. Even excellent art won't get through panels with bad photos.

For comprehensive help, see our portfolio best practices guide.

Artist CV#

Start building your CV now:

Include:

Education and training
Any exhibitions (including student shows)
Awards and recognition (including academic)
Relevant experience
Group shows and collaborative projects

Format Matters:

Use CAA standards
Clean, consistent formatting
No padding or irrelevant content
Short CVs are fine—everyone starts somewhere

Artsumé generates formatted CVs automatically from your profile. Build your profile once; download a professional CV anytime.

Artist Statement#

Develop a clear statement about your work:

Address:

What you make and why
Your materials and processes
The ideas driving your practice
What you want viewers to experience or understand

Guidelines:

150-300 words is typical
First person ("I work in...")
Clear, jargon-free language
Updated regularly as your practice evolves

For detailed guidance, see our artist statement guide.

Online Presence#

Make it easy for people to find and understand your work:

Minimum Viable Presence:

Portfolio website or profile
Current images and information
Contact information
Artist statement

Options:

Personal website
Artsumé profile (free, purpose-built for artists)
Instagram (supplement, not replacement for professional presence)

Artsumé provides a free artist profile that serves as portfolio, CV generator, and application platform—everything in one place.

Strategies for Emerging Artists#

Start Local#

Regional opportunities often have less competition and more relevance to your community:

Local sources:

State and local arts councils
Regional juried exhibitions
Community gallery programs
Local residency programs
Municipal percent-for-art programs
Regional arts organizations

Why local matters:

Build genuine community connections
Establish reputation in your region
Less competition than national programs
Relationships often lead to future opportunities
Supporting local arts strengthens your ecosystem

Build your track record, then expand geographically.

Apply Consistently#

Create an ongoing application practice:

Set Goals:

Monthly or quarterly application goals
Mix of realistic and aspirational applications
Balanced across opportunity types

Track Everything:

Deadlines and requirements
Applications submitted
Results and feedback
Patterns in what succeeds

Learn from Results:

Analyze rejections honestly
Request feedback when available
Improve materials over time
Notice patterns in acceptances

Build Community#

Relationships open doors:

Connect Actively:

Attend openings and events
Support other artists' work
Join artist organizations
Participate in critique groups
Collaborate on projects

Seek Mentorship:

Informal mentors through relationships
Formal mentorship programs
Faculty relationships (current or former)
Professional connections

Contribute:

Help organize shows
Volunteer at arts organizations
Share opportunities with peers
Support your community

Document Everything#

Every project adds to your CV:

What Counts:

Group shows and collaborations
Studio visits and open studios
Community projects
Teaching or workshops
Publications and features
Awards and recognition

Keep Records:

Installation images
Press and documentation
Dates and details
Contact information for venues

Be Patient and Persistent#

Career building takes time:

Realities to Accept:

Rejection is normal at every career stage
Each application builds skill
Success often comes gradually
Timelines vary widely

Maintain Perspective:

Focus on making work, not just applying
Celebrate small wins
Connect with community for support
Keep long-term vision while taking small steps

Opportunity Strategies by Discipline#

Visual Artists (Painting, Sculpture, etc.)#

Focus on:

Juried exhibitions and open calls
Artist-run gallery shows
Regional group exhibitions
Studio residencies
Material-specific grants

Photographers#

Look for:

Photography-specific competitions
Documentary project grants
Photobook awards
Exhibition-focused residencies
Editorial opportunities

Installation and New Media Artists#

Consider:

Project-based grants (often larger)
Tech-focused residencies
Festival and biennial open calls
University gallery opportunities
Commission programs

Performance Artists#

Explore:

Performance-specific venues
Festival open calls
Documentation grants
Residencies with performance facilities
Collaborative opportunities

Red Flags in Opportunities#

Not every opportunity is worth pursuing. Watch for:

Pay-to-play schemes:

Excessive entry fees for minimal exposure
"Vanity" galleries requiring fees
Awards with no credible jury

Unprofessional practices:

Vague terms about artwork rights
No clear contact information
Requests for artwork without agreements
Unclear jury or selection process

Questions to Ask:

Who has participated previously?
What exposure does this actually provide?
Is the fee reasonable for what's offered?
What happens to artwork?
Who makes selection decisions?

Research before applying. A legitimate opportunity won't mind questions.

Common Questions from Emerging Artists#

Frequently Asked Questions

Start with open calls and juried shows that welcome emerging artists. Consider alternative spaces, pop-ups, and collaborative projects. Apply to opportunities that don't require extensive exhibition history. Even student shows count on your CV.

Getting Started Today#

If you're an emerging artist, here's your action plan:

Immediate Steps (This Week)#

Document your work properly - Professional images are foundational
Create your artist profile - Artsumé gives you CV generation, portfolio, and opportunity access free
Write your artist statement - Clear communication about your practice

Short-Term Steps (This Month)#

Research opportunities - Browse listings matched to your career stage
Identify 3-5 opportunities to apply for - Mix of realistic and aspirational
Submit your first application - Start building the practice

Ongoing Practice#

Apply regularly - Sustain momentum with monthly applications
Document new work - Keep portfolio current
Build community - Attend events, connect with artists
Track and learn - Record results and improve approach

Start Building Your Career

Create your free profile, build your CV, and discover opportunities for emerging artists.

Get Started Free

Last updated: January 2025

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