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.
✅ 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
💡 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#
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
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
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
Consider:
Project-based grants (often larger)
Tech-focused residencies
Festival and biennial open calls
University gallery opportunities
Commission programs
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 I don't have any exhibitions yet. Where do I start? 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.
Do I need an MFA to get opportunities? How do I get grants without previous grants? Should I apply to competitive programs or focus on realistic ones? How important is social media for emerging artists? I keep getting rejected. What should I do? How do I know if I'm ready to apply for something? How long does it take to build an art career? Should I focus on a specific type of opportunity first? How many applications should I submit? Is it worth paying entry fees for competitions? Getting Started Today#
If you're an emerging artist, here's your action plan:
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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