Calls for Artists

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

2026 BONEYARD ARTS FESTIVAL SIGNATURE IMAGE– 40 North invites local artists to submit work to be considered as the official signature image for the Boneyard Arts Festival. The Boneyard Arts Festival official signature image is featured on all festival registration materials, posters, postcards, billboards, print and online advertising, and on the cover of the Boneyard Arts Festival Quick Guide that is distributed to all festival venues and throughout the community. In submitting artwork for consideration as the festival’s signature image, artists grant permission to 40 North to use the work on various promotional pieces and 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 is respected while also developing effective marketing that features the image. Submission deadline is 11:59pm on Monday, January 26th. Produced by 40 North | 88 West, the Boneyard Arts Festival will take place April 10 – 12, 2026.

SIDEWALK WAYFINDING MURAL– Strong Towns Blono is seeking an artist to create a sidewalk wayfinding mural on 13 sidewalk locations between the Bloomington Public Library and the McLean County Museum of History. Applications are due January 31, 2026. Click HERE for application guidelines. Contact Katherine McCarthy, Public Art and Safety Committee Chair at mkmv1413@gmail.com or Hannah Johnson, Public Art and Safety Community Liaison hejohnson.art@gmail.com with questions.

MURAL FOR JETTIE RHODES PAVILION– 40 North and the Urbana Park District invite muralists to submit an application to develop a mural depicting the likeness of Jettie Rhodes on the Jettie Rhodes Pavilion at King Park in Urbana. Click HERE for more information. Submissions must be received by 11:59pm on Monday, March 9.

ESPRESSO ROYALE AT VILLAGE GREEN– is seeking artists to display work. Each show will have an opening reception with snacks and beverages provided for attendees. Artwork must be a minimum of 12”x12” and a maximum of 4’x3’. To submit, please email photos of your work to Keri McIntosh at keri@espressoroyalecu.com. The submission deadline is 11:59pm on Friday, January 30.

CHAMPAIGN-URBANA BEER CAN– Experience Champaign-Urbana is collaborating with Riggs Beer Company to create a Champaign-Urbana themed can. The can will be produced and distributed throughout area retailers, bars and restaurants, and at Riggs for a limited time. The desired artist will have strong illustration and design skills to create a compelling, whimsical design featuring iconic spots in both cities. Each city will have one side of the can, so the consumer can decide if it is Champaign-Urbana or Urbana-Champaign. Submission deadline is 11:59pm on January 30. The designer will be selected shortly thereafter. The designer will be compensated for their time and work. The goal is to launch the cans in line with March Madness in mid-March.

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.

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.

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.