You can find various calls for proposals and other opportunities for artistic engagement here!
Special Service Area #33
Get involved with First Fridays!
We're excited to announce our First Fridays event for Wicker Park & Bucktown! We are welcoming all galleries, pop-up galleries, artistic spaces, and more to open their doors to the public with us on Friday, November 1st from 6-8 PM. This will be an ongoing program into 2025. To participate, please COMPLETE THIS FORM.
We are also launching our first-ever WPB Neighborhood Arts Guide in early 2025 to showcase all the spaces and opportunities to experience art in all forms, for tourists and locals alike. We are working with a graphic designer who will highlight our vibrant arts community and list your information at no cost to you. Please complete THIS FORM TO BE INCLUDED.
Deadline: December 6th
Special Service Area #33
Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce
Sign Up for the WPB Artist Directory
SSA #33 is currently collecting information of local artists who live, work, or show work in Wicker Park Bucktown. If this applies to you, please fill out our Artist Directory form to be included in our public database to help connect the residents of and visitors to WPB to our exceptionally talented pool of local artist, artisans, and makers.
Deadline: Ongoing
REGISTERÂ HERE
Chicago Public Library
Harold Washington Library
Open Call to Local Artists: Exhibit at the Harold Washington Library Center
The Music, Arts, Social Science and History Department, located in the Harold Washington Library Center, is looking to schedule exhibits on the 8th floor beginning April 2025 through March 2026. Artists working in any visual media are encouraged to apply.
Selected artists will have an eleven-week exhibition in the 8th floor exhibit cases.
As part of each exhibit, we request artists be willing to teach at least one tactile art or craft class to adult library patrons. Previous workshops have included drawing, printmaking, watercolor, illustration, book making, collage and knitting, among other topics. Workshops generally run 90- 120 minutes with up to 15 adults. A small honorarium will be offered plus the cost of materials covered.
Deadline: December 15, 2024 @ 5 PM
REGISTER HERE
Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events
Arts Alliance Illinois & Chicago Cultural Alliance
The City of Chicago
Call for Artists: 2025 Night Out Call for Proposals
Calling all Chicago-based organizations, collectives, and individual artists to participate in the 13th season of Night Out in the Parks! The 2025 Call for Proposals is now open and accepting your cultural project ideas. For details and information on how to apply, please review the Night Out in the Parks proposal information.
Deadline: December 9th
APPLY HERE
Call for Artists: 2025 Chicago OnScreen Call for Proposals
Chicago Onscreen, the Chicago Park District’s annual celebration of local films and filmmakers is returning to parks in 2025 with our 12th annual slate of free screenings locally-made and Chicago-focused short and feature films in Chicago’s parks. Filmmakers of all ages, skill levels, and professional experience are invited to submit their Chicago-based films for this hometown screening opportunity. For more information, and submission information, check out our Chicago OnScreen Submission Guidelines or find us on FilmFreeway.
Deadline: December 9th
APPLY HERE
Call for Artists: Performing Arts, Music, Dance & Theater
Are you an artist or arts organization interested in participating in the 2025 DCASE Performing Arts Music Festival, Dance, or Theater programming? Due to the volume of responses, applications will be reviewed on a monthly basis. Should an opportunity arise for partnership, you will be contacted directly by a member of the DCASE Performing Arts Programming Team.
Deadline: Rolling
Stay Tuned for 2025 Application
Call for Artists: Now Playing...Sights & Sounds
The newly re-designed Learning Lab at the Chicago Cultural Center offers sights, sounds, and experiences for visitors of all ages and a wide range of abilities. Non-profit arts organizations and individual artists around the world are invited to submit proposals for their work to play in the sound dome and/or be shown on the projection wall in the Learning Lab. This is an opportunity to engage with a broad, diverse audience that visits the Chicago Cultural Center daily.
Deadline: Rolling
MORE HERE
CALLS FOR ARTISTS
OPEN CALL: The Other Art Fair Chicago Returns to Artifact Events: March 27 - 30, 2025!
The Other Art Fair Chicago is coming back to Artifact Events from March 27 - 30 and we can't wait to present a new lineup of 110 game-changing artists in one of the most exciting growing markets for collecting contemporary art.
The Other Art Fair is a global gathering of creative thinkers, game changers and pleasure seekers sharing emerging talent and unforgettable experiences, and we’re looking for boundary-pushing artists from all over the world. This is your chance to showcase your work to thousands of art-lovers, collectors and industry professionals over four unforgettable days. Choose a booth size that suits your work and budget, and join us alongside immersive installations, performances and curious encounters to reframe the art buying experience.
Our 2024 Fair made an impressive showing with 98% of artists selling artwork! Our 2024 Chicago Fair was the best attended fair so far - what will 2025 have in store?!
Applications for Chicago March 2025 are open now through December 1, 2024. Don't wait until it's too late – get ahead and apply now HERE.
Are you a Chicago-based emerging artist? Check out our New Futures program, awarding a complimentary booth at the fair to one artist. Learn more here.
Or, if you’re an artisan working in glass, ceramics, metal, or wood, consider applying for The Artisan Section, our newest addition to The Other Art Fair. Apply here.
Deadline: December 1, 2024
OPEN CALL: Exhibition Submissions for Dittmar's 2025-2026 SeasonÂ
Dittmar Memorial Gallery, located in Norris University Center, is an exhibition space and gathering place inviting the Northwestern community to meaningfully interact with art from diverse perspectives. Through rotating exhibitions by emerging artists in the Evanston and Chicagoland area, partnerships with organizations and departments across the university, and a permanent collection, Dittmar prompts interdisciplinary dialogue through intentional engagement with the arts.
Each May, the Dittmar submissions committee meets to review submissions and select a season of artists for the following academic year. In your complete submission, include:
- Five images that demonstrate the work you are proposing for a show or past work with a proposal for new work
- Work list for the images, including title, medium, size, and year
- Statement
- Resume/CV
- Any available contact information
Note: We are only able to accommodate artists from Chicagoland and Illinois. We are dedicated to promoting cultural inclusion and advancing thought through art forms presented by local and emerging artists.
Submit your exhibition proposal HERE
Find more information/alternate submission methods HERE
Deadline: End of April 2025
Chicago Sculpture International Project Space
Accepting New Membership Applications
CSI Project Space and Gallery is under the direction of a collective of Chicago-based artists, hosting curated indoor exhibitions, and innovative educational art workshops for professional artists and sculptors as well as the general public while giving back through partnerships with local community and philanthropic organizations. We offer members the opportunity to submit for a variety of exhibitions throughout the year. All shows are free of fees, free to attend, and often include free artist lectures. When you join Chicago Sculpture International, you are joining over 200 members dedicated to the celebration of sculpture. In addition to having your artist profile featured on our website, CSI provides unique opportunities for advancement and growth in all aspects of being a professional sculptor.
Deadline:Â N/A
MORE HERE
Call for Artists: CSI Project Space
CSI offers their members the opportunity to apply to public indoor and outdoor exhibitions via their numerous curators and venues AND offers exhibition opportunities through our Project Space gallery. All applicants must be current CSI members.
Deadline: Rolling
MORE HERE
Call for Artists: 2024 Exhibition Season
Each month, Gallery Café hosts a new artist exhibit. We love showing off our community of talented artists! If you’re interested, please fill out the application form to be considered. While we strive to provide a platform for as many artists as possible please keep in mind we can only host 12 showcases annually.
Deadline: Ongoing
MORE HERE
Call for Artists: General Submission
Jackson Junge Gallery appreciates interest in showing at the gallery and accepts artist submissions in all media for potential exhibition.
Deadline: Ongoing
MORE HERE
General Artist Submissions
Little Broken Things encourages local artists to share their work at their shop and salon, building a collaborative community. Artists interested in consignment sales or exhibitions are welcome to submit proposals to Little Broken Things.
Deadline: Ongoing
MORE HERE
No Nation Art Gallery & Tangential Unspace Lab
Open Call: Artist-in-Residence
The No Nation Artist-in-Residence program is a live/work engagement with No Nation Tangential Unspace Art Lab. Artists-in-residence will work on their proposed project(s) and exhibit their work while engaging with the spirits of the space. Each artist-in-residence will have access to their own private studio to live/work, as well as the No Nation gallery for a larger workspace and shared equipment.
Deadline:Â Flexible
MORE HERE
Sell at Quimby's
Do you want to sell your zine at Quimby's? Has a new issue of your minicomic come out? Quimby's Bookstore sells local zines, comics, artist books, and more on consignment. This is for reading material, not postcards, crafts, stickers or owl-shaped ceramic soap holders you sell on Etsy.
Deadline: Ongoing
MORE HERE
General Artist Submissions
Sideshow Gallery is a truly unique and magical place with an ever-changing creative spirit inspired by a love of the occult, travel, obscure places, heavy metal music, and the most unusual and oddball, and beautiful things. The shop features unique one of one-of-a-kind natural specimens, skulls and taxidermy, handmade jewelry, oddities and vintage treasures, candles, herbs and tools to perform magic, and lots of art! The gallery accepts inquiries from those interested in having artwork or products considered for inclusion in the shop.
Deadline: Ongoing
MORE HERE
Facade Mural Painting Opportunities
The Violet Hour accepts and reviews proposals for temporary murals painted on the facade of their building.
Deadline: Ongoing
MORE HERE
JOB LISTINGS
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Young Chicago Authors
Check the Method
Taught by YCA's Artistic Staff including Jamila Woods, Kevin Coval, Britteney Black Rose Kapri, Nate Marshall, and José Olivarez, Check The Method is Chicago's premier writing workshop for 14-25 year-olds. Come learn how to find inspiration in your daily life, write poems, and craft performances. Check The Method alumni have gone on to publish books and pursue professional writing careers. This workshop is open to all levels and is 100% free. Check The Method operates on a drop-in model, so no registration is necessary. If you're ready to write, you are welcome to join us.
Every Saturday (Mid-October - Mid-June with winter breaks) - 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
MORE HERE
Emcee Wreckshop
Emcee Wreckshop brings together rappers from all over the city. The session begins with a workshop taught by local rappers Add-2 and Defcee, in which students will study an exemplary work, write new material, and finally, exchange pens for microphones, taking to YCA’s stage in a performative cipher. Additionally, Wreckshop participants will have opportunities to feature their work at MC Olympics (a Louder Than A Bomb special event), on the Louder Than A Bomb annual Mixtape, and other high-profile events throughout the year.
Every Saturday (Mid-October - Mid-June with winter breaks) - 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
MORE HERE
Queeriosity
Queeriosity is a free monthly poetry salon for LBGTQ and questioning youth aged 12-25 to explore the world through a queer lens. Queeriosity events are hosted by YCA Teaching Artists H. Melt & Dominique James. Each month has a different theme and features a writing workshop, discussion, and guest artist or speaker. There are also opportunities for live performance and publishing work in the Queeriosity Zine. This program is free and no prior experience with poetry or performance is necessary. There is no need to register for Queeriosity. Our workshops are open to all and work on a drop-in model. If you want to come to Queeriosity, all you have to do is show up.
Every Second Thursday - 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
MORE HERE
WordPlay
WordPlay is the longest-running youth open mic in Chicago. Every Tuesday night, poets aged 12-25 come through Young Chicago Authors to participate in a writing workshop, perform their original work, and listen to music and poetry by artists of all genres and skill levels. Some of the illest up-and-coming artists in Chicago have hung out and performed at WordPlay, including Chance The Rapper, Jamila Woods, Mick Jenkins, No-Name Gypsy, Saba, Nico Segal, and many others!
Every Tuesday: Workshop 6:00 pm - Open Mic 7:00 pm - Featured Artist 8:15 pm
MORE HERE
Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events: Mural Registry
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) manages the City of Chicago Mural Registry, a publicly-accessible database documenting the growing collection of murals across the city on both private and public property. Artists, organizations and property owners are encouraged to register completed murals by submitting an application. For more information about the registration, application and process, visit Chicago.gov/muralregistry
Artist Resources
Legal advice is a necessity for all businesses, and the arts are no exception. However, most artists cannot afford market rate legal services. That’s where LCA comes in. LCA is the only pro bono legal service organization in Illinois that is expert in all areas of the arts, and we have assisted thousands of artists and arts organizations of all kinds with their legal issues. The dedicated members of our Board of Directors and our several hundred volunteer attorneys are the soul of LCA. With their assistance, artists of all kinds are free to do what it is they do – bring color, texture and wondrous sights and sounds to all of our lives.
Chicago Artist Resource
Chicago Artists Resource (CAR) is an innovative arts service administered by the Chicago Artists Coalition. CAR is an online extension of the capabilities, resources, and leadership of the city's cultural community and a demonstration of Chicago's commitment to the important contribution successful artists make to a vital, world-class city. CAR provides artists with information on a wide range of issues related to professional practice and a connection to local, national, and international resources.
Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE)
The mission of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events is to enrich Chicago’s artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy. To support this overarching mission, the Cultural Grants Program’s goal is to play an active role in the development of Chicago’s arts and culture community by funding artists and arts organizations that have the potential to meaningfully contribute to the City’s cultural vitality.
Illinois Arts Council Agency
It is the mission of the Illinois Arts Council to build a strong, creative and connected Illinois through the arts. The Illinois Arts Council Agency serves the people of Illinois through a variety of grants and services. The Illinois Arts Council Agency was created as a state agency by the Illinois General Assembly in 1965 through legislation sponsored by Senators Paul Simon, Thomas McGloon, and Alan Dixon. The agency is governed by up to twenty-one private citizens chosen for their demonstrated commitment to the arts and appointed by the Governor. Council members serve in a voluntary, non-paid capacity and are charged with developing the state’s public arts policy, fostering quality culturally diverse programs, and approving grant expenditures. A small professional staff with in-depth knowledge of the arts develops and administers the agency’s programs, provides technical assistance, and ensures the responsible and impactful distribution of all funds. Resources to support the Illinois Arts Council Agency are provided by the Governor and General Assembly of Illinois and the National Endowment for the Arts.