Funding Opportunities, Residencies, Open Calls

3.png​​​​​Photo credit: Mike Grittani | FY25 Grantee Esprit des Concerts' 2025 Tallgrass Chamber Music Festival

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This list comes directly from the Wisconsin Arts News (subscribe here), our daily newsletter. We update our job opportunities, ​deadlines and events, and funding opportunities lists with new additions as often as possible.

Last updated on: December 17th, 2025​


Residency Opportunities | December + January
Artist Communities Alliance
Various


Nonprofit Capacity Building Grant
St. Croix Valley Foundation
Deadline: Rolling


Boost Your Art Career With SVA Continuing Education Courses, Workshops, and Residencies
Colossal
Various


Mary L. Nohl Suitcase Export Fund
The Lynden Sculpture Garden and Greater Milwaukee Foundation
Deadline: Until Funds Are Exhausted for This Cycle


The Creative Collab | Bronzeville Artist-In-Residency Mentor Program
Copywrite Magazine
Deadline: Rolling


Public Art Conservation Fund Application and Guidelines
City of Milwaukee Arts Board
Deadline: Rolling, as long as funds remain, in order they are received.


America's Invitation | Share Your Story
America 250
Deadline: Before July 4, 2026


Springboard for the Arts Calendar of Events
Springboard for the Arts
Various


Are you raising impact capital for the creative economy?
UpStart Co-Lab
Deadline: Open


RJE Sprout Fund Invites Proposals From Artists Working With Underserved Communities
PND by Candid
Deadline: Rolling


Call for Artwork
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Monthly Review


PBS Wisconsin offering $500 grants for community conversations on American democracy
Merrill Foto News
Deadline: Apply through December 17


It’s Time to Vote! Milwaukee Election Commission and Milwaukee Public Schools Announce Finalists for the “I Voted Early” Sticker Design Contest
Urban Milwaukee
Voting ends December 17 (for Milwaukee residents)


United for Libraries and Penguin Random House Grants to U.S. Rural and Small Libraries
United for Libraries | American Library Association
Applications Open from December 17 - January 21


Literary Arts Fund invites applications from literary arts nonprofits
Philanthropy News Digest
Deadline: December 19


new ArtRoot Writer-In-Residence Application
ArtRoot
Deadline: December 20 (Writers from Racine and Kenosha Counties)


Submissions for Up-and-Coming Artists Now Open to Perform during Summerfest 2026
Urban Milwaukee
Deadline: December 21


Arts for All Roadtrip
Roadtrip Nation
Deadline: December 21


Bobby Anspach Studios Foundation invites applications for inaugural grants program
Philanthropy News Digest
Deadline: December 30


Classics for Kids Foundation invites applications from K-12 music programs
Philanthropy News Digest
Deadline: December 31


Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries invites applications from schools around the country
Philanthropy News Digest
Deadline: December 31


Submissions for Across the Great Divides: a Search for Poetry, Soul and Understanding in a Divided Nation
City Lore and Bowery Poetry
Deadline: December 31


NEW Milwaukee County Historical Society Announces Call for Nominations for the 2026 Public Art Award Presented by Janice and Stephen Marcus
Urban Milwaukee
Nominations open from January 2 – 31


new Artists invited to submit work to Madison College’s 5th Annual Dzigbodi Akyea Art Show
Madison365
Deadline: January 9


Golden Haiku Poetry Competition
Golden Triangle
Deadline: January 11


Indian Arts Research Center invites applications for artist-in-residence fellowships
Philanthropy News Digest
Deadline: January 15


Virginia Center for the Creative Arts invites applications for fellowships
Philanthropy News Digest
Deadline: January 15


Wisconsin public school districts encouraged to apply for Fab Labs Grants
WEDC
Deadline: January 15


Nationwide Grant Opportunity to Support Arts Projects for Military-Connected Individuals
Mid-America Arts Alliance
Deadline: January 15


Sharpe-Walentas Studio Program invites applications from visual artists
Philanthropy News Digest
Deadline: January 15


Gottlieb Foundation invites applications from mature artists
Philanthropy News Digest
Deadline: January 15


Les Paul Foundation invites applications for music programs
Philanthropy News Digest
Deadline: January 15


National Endowment for the Arts Big Read
Arts Midwest
January 15 | Intent to Apply
January 29 | Application Deadline


2026 Aviation Art Contest - "Fly to Save Lives"
Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Deadline: January 16, 2026


RAM Artist Fellowships and Emerging Artist Award
Racine Art Museum
Deadline: January 23


Flynn Breakthrough - Open call for performances for public spaces
The Flynn
Deadline: January 23


2026 North American Competition & Festival
PianoArts
Deadline: January 26


Applying for Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools
Arts Midwest
January 29 | Intent to Apply (Mandatory)
February 12 | Application Deadline


Applying For Shakespeare In American Communities: Juvenile Justice
Arts Midwest
January 29 | Intent to Apply (Mandatory)
February 12 | Application Deadline


Best Communities for Music Education Award
NAMM Foundation
Deadline: January 31


Artist Applications Open For 52nd Annual Stevens Point Area Festival of the Arts
Stevens Point Area Festival of the Arts, ZAPP
Deadline: January 31

Also
Applications open for 52nd annual Stevens Point Area Festival of the Arts
Point/Plover Metro Wire
Deadline: January 31


Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School Students
National Alliance for Musical Theater | National Endowment for the Arts
February 2 | Draft 1 Submission Deadline


new NEA FY 2027 Grants for Arts Projects Guidelines Now Available
National Endowment for the Arts
Deadlines: February 12, July 9


Creative Power
ARTS for ALL Wisconsin
Call for Art submission deadline: February 14


NEW Create Wisconsin Statewide Artist Grant Program - submission portal now open
Create Wisconsin
February 16 | Application Deadline


USArtists International
Mid Atlantic Arts
Deadline: February 25


Nominations are open for the Wisconsin Visual Art Achievement Awards!
Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters, the Museum of Wisconsin Art, and Wisconsin Visual Artists
Deadline: March 2


Get ready for a re-imagined fan-favorite exhibition
Racine Art Museum
March 13, 14 | Drop-Off Submissions
No earlier than March 9 and no later than March 13 | Shipped Submissions


Open Call for Artists | In a State of IF
The Art of Infertility
Submission Deadline: March 15


Beyond Words: the Dollar General School Library Relief Fund
Awards & Grants | American Library Association
Deadline: None. Monthly Review


Open Grant Solicitations
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs | US Department of State
Various