Calls for Artists

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

LOCAL OPPORTUNITY– Calling local Champaign-Urbana artists! We are looking to display your artwork at one of three Champaign-Urbana spots: The Literary, Pekara, and Espresso Royale at Campustown. These are busy, welcoming places where students, neighbors, and regulars spend time, where your art would reach a wide audience.

Who can apply: Artists who are local to the area, of all experience levels 

How long: Art would be up for 6 months

What to send:

  • 3–5 images of your work (JPG or PNG)

  • Your full name, and title of the art

  • Art dimensions and art medium

  • Your preferred venue(s), or “no preference”

How to submit: Email everything to villagegreen@espressoroyalecu.com.

Deadline: Friday, October 16

Please put “Artist Submission” and your name in the subject line. One submission is enough even if you’re interested in more than one location. We’ll share it with the managers at each venue.

Questions? Reach out to Anneliese at villagegreen@espressoroyalecu.com.

ART IN TRANSIT– The Urbana Arts & Culture Program, MTD, and 40 North invite artists to participate in a new cycle of Art in Transit, an initiative that features local artworks on bus shelters throughout Urbana. This cycle, three selected pieces will be formatted to fit the bus shelters and reproduced in adhesive vinyl to be adhered to the two bus shelters on the east side of the Champaign County Court House on Broadway Ave. and the bus shelter at the corner of W. Church St. and N. Orchard St. (see pics below). The three selected artists will be awarded an honorarium of $150. Submission deadline is 11:59pm on Monday, September 21st. Email Kelly White at kwhite@40north.org with questions. 

ART ON THE FLY– 40 North, in collaboration with University of Illinois – Willard Airport, is thrilled to announce a new rotation of Art on the Fly. This program will select work from 2 local artists that will be reproduced on vinyl and adhered to 2 large (6′ x 8′) recessed walls leading to security checkpoint. Featured art will be displayed for one year and selected artists will also receive a $150 stipend. Click HERE to apply. Submissions are due by 11:59pm on Monday, August 24. 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.