Calls for Artists

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

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/
 

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY MUSEUM NETWORK– Invites artists to submit artwork that reflects the following themes for an exhibition entitled: Our American Stories. Artwork can be visual, performing arts, creative writing, new media, music, and more. Submission deadline: Saturday, January 31 at 11:50pm CST. 

This exhibition is looking for: 

  • Stories that reflect upon America’s past
  • Stories that honor individual and collective contributions that have shaped the nation
  • Stories that cultivate visions for America’s future

Visit www.champaigncountymuseums.org/ for more information and to complete the submission form. 

CITY OF URBANA PARKING DECK MURAL– 40 North and the Urbana Arts & Culture Program invite muralists to submit an application to develop a mural on the east wall of 115 W. Main, facing the parking deck in downtown Urbana. Submissions must be received by 11:59pm on Monday, February 9. Email Kelly White at kwhite@40north.org with questions. 

 

40 NORTH REGIONAL ARTS PARTNERS GRANT– ATTENTION ARTISTS, MUSICIANS, and PERFORMERS!

40 North is excited to announce our 2026 Regional Arts Partners grant opportunity funded by Illinois Arts Council and National Endowment for the Arts!
 
A total of four projects will be awarded grants for $4500 each. Use the link above to see grant guidelines and submit your application. Applications are due by midnight January 12, 2026. Email ehedgspeth@40north.org with questions. 
 

25TH ANNUAL BEST IN SHOW PHOTO COMPETITION– Urbana Park District and the Champaign County Camera Club are taking entries for the 2026 Best in Show Photographic Print Competition. This is a great opportunity for amateur photographers to have their photos publicly exhibited and professionally judged. 

The competition is open for all ages – with youth entries encouraged!

Submit your best snaps in the following categories:

  • Animals
  • Architecture
  • Black and White
  • Club
  • General
  • Landscape
  • Nature
  • People
  • 25th Anniversary
  • Youth – NO ENTRY FEE

There is a five-piece limit, and all prints must be mounted on foamcore.

Enter by January 21, 2026, and the entry fee is $5 for the first print and $3 for the next four. After January 21, the regular fee is $10 for the first print and $3 for the next four. 

Pick up a Best in Show entry form at Phillips Recreation Center, Lincoln Square or the News-Gazette. Or download a fillable form with all the detailed instructions. 

Call Janet at (217) 367-1544 for more information and entry requirements.

ART FOR ILLINI HALL– A major new artwork is sought for the Mathematics and Statistics Common Room at the University of Illinois.  This room will be a multipurpose gathering space for the faculty and graduate students of the Departments of Mathematics and Statistics and will serve as both the social and intellectual hearts of these two departments. Application deadline is December 1, 2025. Contact  illini-hall-art-project2025@illinois.edu with questions. 

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.