Art Opportunities – February
- NNC Gallery
- Jan 31
- 5 min read
Curatorial research, orientation, and responsibility
Each month, we carry out research on artistic opportunities active in Europe and internationally, with particular attention to open calls, residencies, awards, and mobility programs.This selection is intended as an informational service for our members and for artists within our collectives.
The links shared lead either to individual open calls or to platforms that gather multiple opportunities.The first deadlines start on February 1st; however, we have chosen to include these opportunities anyway in order to introduce you to the relevant platforms and projects. Each opportunity has its own specific requirements, deadlines, and conditions, which must be carefully reviewed.
Please note that not all fees or conditions are accessible to artists from every country. Some calls are fee-free, others involve low fees or variable conditions, and travel or production expenses are not always covered.For these reasons, we disclaim any responsibility for possible rejections, changes to the calls, or issues artists may encounter.
We always encourage artists to read the full regulations carefully, in order to avoid unsuitable applications and unnecessary loss of time.
1. PHOTOGRAPHY
Open Call for Photographers Under 30 – Fondazione Le Stanze della Fotografia (Venice) ITALY
Deadline: February 1, 2026
Free participation.
Submission of three photographs according to the official brief.
This is a free open call for photographers aged 18–30, open to artists both within and outside the European Union, with no nationality restrictions.
No entry fee is required; selected works may be exhibited in Venice and at major photography events in Italy, according to the official regulations.
Miti e Visioni 2026 – Artist Residencies (Matera) Italy
Deadline: February 2, 2026
International residency for photographers and videomakers (10 artists selected).7 days with curatorial support and a possible final exhibition or catalogue.
This international residency in Matera, Italy, is open to photographers and videomakers regardless of nationality, with no application fee required.Selected artists receive 7 days of curatorial support and may have the opportunity to show work in a final exhibition or be included in an associated catalogue.
1001 Art Photography London – NNC Gallery | Open Call (Early Bird)
This open call is dedicated to photographers and photography-based projects and is free of charge during the early bird period.Selected artists receive up to 10 pages in the large-format biannual magazine, dedicated space on the NNC Gallery website, inclusion in the digital ebook edition, and distribution through both online and printed catalogues; the application fee increases progressively in later phases.
2. PAINTING
Jackson’s Art Prize 2026 UK London
Two-Dimensional Art, and Works on Paper Jackson’s Art Prize 2026 – International
Deadline: February 11, 2026
31 prizes in total.
First prize: £6,000 plus £2,000 in art materials.
Fee: £6.50 per artwork.
Free entry for students.
Based in London (UK) and open internationally, Jackson’s Art Prize is dedicated to two-dimensional art and works on paper. A low entry fee (£6.50 per artwork) applies, with free entry for students, and the prize offers significant awards and international visibility.
McNeese National Works on Paper Exhibition – USA
Deadline: February 14, 2026 (11:59 PM CST)
National exhibition dedicated to works on paper.
Entry fee: USD 35.
Acquisition awards for the permanent collection (USD 3,000).
This national exhibition in the United States is dedicated to works on paper and is open to artists working in drawing, printmaking, and related media. An entry fee of USD 35 applies, with acquisition awards totaling USD 3,000 for the permanent collection.
3. SCULPTURE, TEXTILE, and THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRATICE
Quilt Visions 2026 – Visions Museum of Textile Art (San Diego)
Deadline: February 9, 2026 (11:59 PM PST)
International exhibition dedicated to art quilting and material-based research.Entry fee: USD 40 for members, USD 50 for non-members.
Based in the United States, this international exhibition focuses on art quilting and material-based textile research. An entry fee applies (USD 40 for members, USD 50 for non-members), and the call is open to artists working at the intersection of textile, sculpture, and contemporary practices.
3D Public Art – Boise Airport US
Deadline: February 13, 2026
International open call for the design and realization of a three-dimensional artwork on a vertical wall.
Total budget: USD 50,000.
Based in the United States (Boise, Idaho), this international open call invites artists and teams to design and realize a three-dimensional artwork on a vertical wall inside Boise Airport. No application fee is required; the selected project will receive a total budget of USD 50,000 covering design, production, and installation.
4. CONTEMPORARY VISUAL ARTS AND MIXED MEDIA US
The Other Art Fair Brooklyn – Spring 2026
Deadline: February 1, 2026
International open call for fair booths.
Includes the New Futures program, which awards a free exhibition space to an early-career artist.
Based in the United States (Brooklyn, New York), this international open call is open to contemporary artists applying for fair booths.
The New Futures program offers a free exhibition space to one early-career artist, providing visibility within an established international art fair context.
5. ARTISTIC RESIDENCIES AND MOBILITY (EUROPE)
Culture Moves Europe – Creative Europe
Mobility and residency programs funded by the European Union.Generally fee-free, with support for travel and accommodation.
This European Union–funded program supports artistic mobility and residencies across Europe for artists and cultural professionals. Applications are generally fee-free, with financial support available for travel, accommodation, and subsistence, depending on the project and destination.
On the Move – Open Calls
European platform collecting residencies, grants, and interdisciplinary mobility programs.Fees may vary or be absent and should be checked case by case.
On the Move is a European information platform collecting open calls for residencies, grants, and interdisciplinary mobility programs. Application fees may vary or be absent and must be checked case by case, as conditions depend on each individual opportunity.
ResArtis – Open Calls
International network of artistic residencies.
Many calls do not require an application fee.
ResArtis is an international network of artistic residencies offering opportunities across multiple countries and disciplines. Many of the open calls do not require an application fee, though conditions vary and should always be checked individually.
6. ARTISTIC RESIDENCIES IN ITALY
CREA OPEN – Progetto Giovani (Italy)
Free open call for contemporary visual arts.
Exhibitions and institutional visibility.
7. GRANTS, AWARDS, AND RESEARCH DATABASES
ArtRabbit – Artist Opportunities
International database of open calls, grants, awards, residencies, and exhibitions.
Fees may vary or be absent.
ArtRabbit is an international database collecting open calls, grants, awards, residencies, and exhibitions worldwide. Application fees may vary or be absent and should always be checked individually for each opportunity.
Final note
This list is the result of active research, not a definitive selection.Participating in open calls, awards, and residencies is a way to gain visibility, broaden your horizons, and engage with new professional contexts.
We research and share.From artists, we ask for attention, focus, and professionalism, avoiding naïveté in the selection of calls and in the preparation of applications.
We also recommend subscribing to the official mailing lists of the platforms and organizations mentioned, in order to receive direct updates and not miss new opportunities.
For artists within our collectives, we are available, when appropriate, to provide curatorial letters of presentation.
Enjoy!
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