Applying to Opportunities

Applying to Opportunities

Find opportunities that match your practice, prepare your materials, and submit strong applications.

Find opportunities

Go to Explore from the main menu to browse available opportunities.

Filter by:

• Type — Grants, residencies, exhibitions, jobs
• Discipline — Your artistic medium
• Location — Local, regional, national, international
• Deadline — Upcoming dates
• Career stage — Early career, mid-career, established

Use multiple filters to narrow results. The search bar also works for opportunity titles, organization names, or keywords.

Review before applying

Click an opportunity to see full details. Check:

Eligibility:

• Disciplines accepted
• Career stage requirements
• Location restrictions
• Age limits or other qualifications

Requirements:

• How many portfolio works
• Which CV sections
• Application questions
• Additional documents
• Fees (if any)

Compensation:

• Payment amount and schedule
• Benefits (housing, studio, materials)
• Timeline and expectations

Start your application

Click Apply Now on the opportunity page. You can save drafts and return later—no need to complete everything in one session.

Personal information

Your details are pre-filled from your profile. Review and update if needed.

Application questions

Read each question carefully and answer what's actually being asked.

Good response:

My practice explores memory and place through site-specific installations using found objects and archival materials. This residency would give me studio time and access to local archives to develop a new body of work examining the industrial history of this region.

Weak response:

I make art about memory. This would help me.

Be specific. Use examples from your actual work. Stay within word limits.

Select portfolio works

Click Add Portfolio Work and choose pieces that:

• Relate to the opportunity's focus
• Demonstrate your technical ability
• Show conceptual depth
• Represent your current practice
• Work well together as a group

Add notes about each work if requested—explain why you selected it or how it relates to the opportunity.

Check requirements for number of works, media types, and file size limits.

Import CV information

Click Import from CV to pull in your education, exhibitions, awards, and other sections. Review the imported information and edit or remove entries as needed for this specific application.

Upload documents

Some opportunities require additional files (artist statement, budget, proposal). Upload in the requested format—when in doubt, use PDF. Name files clearly: "LastName_ArtistStatement_2024.pdf"

Review everything

Before submitting, check:

• All required questions answered
• Portfolio works selected with notes (if requested)
• CV information reviewed
• Documents uploaded
• Personal information accurate
• No typos or errors

Take a break between writing and reviewing. Fresh eyes catch mistakes.

Submit

Click Submit Application at the bottom. You'll get:

• On-screen confirmation
• Email confirmation
• Application appears in "My Applications"

Application fees

If there's a fee, you'll see payment options after completing the form. Some opportunities offer fee waivers for financial need, students, or artists from underrepresented communities—check if you're eligible and request one if so.

Track your application

Go to My Applications from your dashboard to see status:

• Submitted — Received successfully
• Under Review — Being evaluated
• Shortlisted — Selected for further consideration
• Accepted — You got in
• Not Selected — This one didn't work out

Click any application to view details and updates.

Best practices

Before applying:

• Research the organization
• Confirm eligibility
• Prepare materials in advance
• Note the deadline

Writing responses:

• Use your own voice
• Give concrete examples
• Connect your work to this specific opportunity
• Proofread carefully
• Respect word limits

Portfolio selection:

• Quality over quantity
• Relevance to the opportunity
• Recent work when possible
• Works that complement each other

What's next

• Managing Applications — Track status and respond to requests
• Best Practices — More application tips