Calls for Artists

Check here for calls for submissions and portfolios! To have your call placed on this page, email kwhite@40north.org.

TUSKEEGEE AIRMEN MURAL PROJECT– The Champaign County African American Heritage Trail proudly invites artists to apply for the Tuskegee Airmen Mural Project, a major public art commission honoring the courage, excellence, and enduring legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. The project is sponsored by CCAAHT and supported by the Illinois Arts Council’s America’s 250th Public Art Grant celebrating Illinois in 2026. To view the full details and application requirements, click HERE. Submissions must be received by 11:59pm on April 27, 2026. Email Kelly White at kwhite@40north.org with questions.

THE GREAT ARTDOORS – The Great ARTdoors, a collaboration between the Urbana Park District, the Champaign Park District, UIUC College of Fine and Applied Arts, Allerton Park & Retreat Center, Illinois Arboretum, and 40 North, is kicking off a new cycle of awarding selected local artists stipends to create outdoor art installations in several Champaign and Urbana parks and community gardens. The 12 selected artists will receive a $1,500 stipend and the artwork will be featured in one of designated locations. Artists are asked to submit a proposal of artwork by 11:59pm on May 18th. Click HERE to submit. Selected artists will be notified via email by May 25th and artwork will need to be ready to install by June 22, 2026. The selected artworks will remain installed approximately through the end of November. Email Kelly White at kwhite@40north.org with questions.

GIERTZ GALLERY at PARKLAND COLLEGE– in collaboration with 40 North: Champaign County Arts Council, is proud to announce a Call for Entries for the Illinois All-State Juried Art Exhibition, featuring works by contemporary Illinois artists. The exhibition will take place June 8-July 23, 2026 with a reception on June 11, 5:30-7pm, Gallery Talk at 6:15. Submission deadline is Tuesday, April 21. Read guidelines and apply at parkland.edu/ILart. Email giertzgallery@parkland.edu with questions.

ILLINI UNION ART GALLERY– seeks artwork from faculty, staff, students, and community members. The Art Gallery is located in the historic Illini Union building and hosts exhibits monthly. A variety of different visual media is welcome. Submissions are accepted over the summer. Check this website for more information: https://union.illinois.edu/artgallery Access the application here: Art Gallery 2026 – 2027 Application Please email iuboard@illinois.edu with questions. The application closes on Sunday, June 14, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. All submissions must be submitted on-line. Hard copies will not be considered.

TAKE BACK THE NARRATIVE– RACES is seeking visual artists and performers to participate an event for Sexual Assault Awareness Month at the Independent Media Center on April 18. To display your artwork or perform, please use this link to apply by April 10th. Contact Allison Wessels at awessels@cu-races.org with questions.

UTILITY BOX MURALS– 40 North and the Urbana Arts & Culture Program are thrilled to kick off a new round of utility box murals in two locations throughout Urbana. In submitting artwork for consideration, artists understand that a detail or section of the winning piece may be ultimately used. 40 North will work with the artist to ensure the integrity of the piece while effectively wrapping the box in a way that best features the image. Selected artists will also receive a $300 stipend. Submission deadline is 11:59pm on Monday, May 4, 2026. Email Kelly White at kwhite@40north.org with questions.

CHAMPAIGN PARK DISTRICT– seeks artists to display at the historic Springer Cultural Center. Located in Downtown Champaign, Springer Cultural Center hosts 6-8 professional art exhibits each year. These art shows are determined by review of applications. Proposals are accepted for solo or collaborative group exhibitions on an ongoing basis, and artists have the opportunity to give a brief talk about their work at a reception provided by Champaign Park District. Apply online: https://champaignparks.org/art-exhibits/

COMMON GROUND FOOD CO-OP FLATLANDER GALLERY– Apply to show your local art at Common Ground Food Cooperative! We are looking for many local artists to feature in our gallery. Our Art Gallery is located in our highly utilized Flatlander Classroom. This multi-use Classroom is ideal for integrating the arts into the urban environment and creating partnerships among artists, the community, and the Co-op. Selected artists will be invited to install for around 1.5 months (approximately 6 weeks). Selected artists will be allotted 2 identical locked cases in the gallery each measuring 8’ long x 44’’ high x 4’’ wide.

For more information, email marketing@commonground.coop.