Of Note: Be sure to Register to Vote in Massachusetts. The general election is November 3, 2026.
MASSCreative 2026 Ballot Question Webinar Massachusetts voters will have the opportunity to vote on nine different ballot questions this November 3rd. These ballot questions have the potential to change state law in significant ways. On Thursday, October 15th from 2 – 3:30 PM, MASSCreative – through our Create the Vote initiative – is holding a Ballot Question Webinar with organizers who are focused on three of this year’s ballot questions. You will hear from organizers who are working in support of, and opposition to, Questions 3, 4, and 5. This is an opportunity to learn more about the ballot questions and hear organizers’ reasons for their different positions. Learn more.
Happy Arts and Humanities Month! This October, the Mass Cultural Council invites residents across the Commonwealth to participate in Arts and Humanities Month in whatever way is meaningful to them: visit a museum, attend a performance, support a local artist, explore a historic site or a cultural district, read a book, listen to music, create something, share a story, or discover something new in your own community.
Celebrate Massachusetts Storytellers The Massachusetts Storyteller of the Year Award, launched in 2025, honors artists and changemakers who deepen our understanding of Massachusetts, its communities, and the power of the humanities to shape a more just future.
This year, Mass Humanities honors Afro-Puerto Rican dance and music group Bomba de Aquí, as well as Monte Belmonte and Kaliis Smith of New England Public Media’s The Fabulous 413. Mill One, 1 Open Square Way, Holyoke on Thursday, October 15th from 6:00 – 9:00 PM *doors open at 5:30pm. Learn more.
Local Cultural Council Grants The largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation, the Local Cultural Council (LCC) Program enriches the cultural life of all cities and towns in Massachusetts. Led by municipally appointed volunteers, LCCs award $6.6 million every year, supporting 7,400 cultural programs that include everything from field trips to lectures, festivals, and dance performances. Learn more.
Deadline: October 15, 2026
Tribal Cultural Council Program Led by tribally appointed volunteers who administer an annual grant program to support local cultural projects. Individuals, groups, and organizations may apply. Grant amounts vary, and applications are submitted directly to each Tribal Cultural Council. Learn more.
Deadline: October 15, 2026
Call for Miniature Art The Newburyport Art Association (NAA) invites artists to submit to Miniatures. Artwork must be original, measuring 6×6 inches or smaller (all artwork must not exceed 6×6 inches (36 square inches) including the frame. This means work can be 5×7 or 4×6 or any area 36 square inches or less. Up to 3 entries per artist, $20 per submission for non-members, $10 per entry for members. Submissions will be curated by the Executive Director. Learn more.
Deadline: October 16, 2026 (by 11:59pm)
Grants for Creative Individuals Program The Mass Cultural Council is currently accepting applications for the Grants for Creative Individuals program. This program aims to equitably advance creative expression throughout the Commonwealth with unrestricted grants to Massachusetts artists, culture bearers, and creative individuals. Grants are $5,000. Learn more.
Deadline: October 27, 2026
New England Playwrights Submit your ten-minute play to Boston Theater Marathon XXIX. The annual Boston Theater Marathon (held this year on Sunday, June 6, 2027) is an award-winning, all-day marathon of new ten-minute plays. The plays are chosen from entries by New England playwrights, and the 50 selected plays are produced by 50 New England theatre companies. Learn more.
Deadline: November 1, 2026
Artists, Writers Residency Program MASS MoCA is accepting applications for their Studios at MASS MoCA Residency Program (North Adams, MA). The Studios at MASS MoCA runs year-round, hosts up to 10 artists at a time for stays of 2 or 4 weeks, and primarily seeks applications from visual artists (painters, sculptors, installation artists, photographers, video/new media artists, fiber artists, printmakers, etc.) and writers in all literary disciplines. Cost: $650 per week, financial aid available. Learn more.
Deadline: November 1, 2026
Call to Boston Artists The Boston Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture is currently accepting submissions for the annual Emerging Artists Exhibition at the Boston City Hall Galleries. Emerging artists who reside in Greater Boston are encouraged to apply. They will award $2,500 in prizes for selected artists. Learn more.
Deadline: November 2, 2026 at 4:59 PM.
Robert Motherwell & Renate Ponsold Fellowship The Provincetown Art Association and Museum is currently accepting in applications for the Robert Motherwell & Renate Ponsold Fellowship, a one-year, low-residency program that supports scholars conducting original research on the visual art and artists of Outer Cape Cod. Learn more.
Deadline: November 2, 2026
Call for Art The Arts Foundation of Cape Cod’s Annual Holiday Art Auction is open to artists near and far. Original work only, all mediums welcome. No size limit, all work must be ready to hang. Submit up to 3 pieces (in most cases, one is chosen). Donate 100% of the sale to AFCC, or keep 25% or 50%. Learn more.
Deadline: November 6, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Collective Works: Creative Entrepreneurship Summit on November 7, 2026 from 9:30am-4pm. Massachusetts College of Art and Design’s Collective Works brings together creative entrepreneurs from every discipline across Massachusetts for one day of candid conversations about what it really takes to thrive in today’s creative economy. Whether you’re an artist, designer, musician, freelancer, student, or founder — if your creative practice is your livelihood (or you’re building toward that), this summit is for you. Come exchange ideas with fellow creators, gain practical strategies from seasoned entrepreneurs, and connect with key support organizations at our resource fair. Tickets: $25 General Admission, $10 Student. Learn more.
Asian Cultural Council Fellowships and Grants The Asian Cultural Council (ACC) is pleased to announce the open call for the 2027 Grant Cycle. ACC supports artists, scholars, arts professionals, and organizations through fellowships and grants that advance cultural exchange between the U.S. and Asia, and within Asia. Learn more.
Deadline: November 10, 2026
Call to Artists The Bristol Art Museum announces a national call for collage for Torn Boundaries, a juried exhibit inviting artists to examine the boundaries that define, separate, connect and sometimes divide us. The exhibition will be on view from Sun., Jan. 31, through Thurs., April 1, with an artist reception on Sun., Feb. 7, from 2 to 4 p.m. Francine Weiss, Ph.D., will serve as juror for the exhibit. Learn more.
Deadline: November 29, 2026
Call for Artis Vendors Mother Brook Arts & Community Center’s new event, Winter Market, is on Saturday, December 5, 10am-4pm in Dedham. Vendor Applications are currently open for artists, fine craftspeople and vendors who are interested in popping up at the event. Learn more.
Image credit: Aaron Copland by candlelight, studio in the Berkshires, September, 1946. From the collection of the Library of Congress. Black and white photograph of composer Aaron Copland.
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