Playwright Commission Opportunity: A New Play About Shays’ Rebellion The Majestic Theater in West Springfield, MA, invites submissions from playwrights interested in developing an original full-length play about Shays’ Rebellion (1786–1787)—a defining yet often underrepresented event in American history that began in Western Massachusetts. Supported by a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant, this commission will bring to life the true story of Daniel Shays, the thousands of farmers, veterans, and residents who joined the uprising, and the profound impact their actions had on the young nation. This is a paid commission made possible through the generous support of the National Endowment for the Arts. Commission fee and project details will be discussed with finalists. Learn more.
Deadline: August 20, 2026
Call to Artists The Cambridge Art Association (CAA) has opened registration for its Fall 2026 programming, including the Small Group Show Workshop, a monthly miniCRIT crit club, in-person Portfolio Reviews, Figure Drawing, and much more. Register and find full details or contact Stephanie Todhunter at stodhunter@cambridgeart.org with questions.
Independent Documentary Filmmakers LEF New England Moving Image Fund provides funding for New England-based independent documentary filmmakers across all phases of production, supporting films from the early risk-taking stage, through a film’s completion. It also supports the career development of filmmakers in the region. Learn more.
Deadline: August 21, 2026
Call to Artists Art Fluent invites artists to submit artwork to their online exhibit, Pure Abstraction. Over $1,200 in cash prizes. All accepted pieces will be displayed in their online gallery. Learn more.
Deadline: August 28, 2026 at midnight MST
Project Support for BIPOC Artists Apply for Project Support for BIPOC Artists, Zea Mays Printmaking’s latest effort to improve diversity, equity and inclusion here at the studio. Tell them about your printmaking projects, and see if they can help make them a reality. Learn more.
Deadline: August 31, 2026
Free Professional Development for Artists Assets for Artists September + October Workshop Registration is now open. All workshops are completely free and open to artists of all disciplines who are based in New England. Learn more.
Support for Curators and Artistic Directors The Teiger Foundation is accepting applications for its Hosting Grant program designed to support curators and artistic directors. Grants of up to $75,000 support US-based curators or artistic directors presenting a contemporary visual art exhibition or project that originated elsewhere, adapted meaningfully within the context of their own institution and community. Learn more.
Deadline: September 9, 2026
Art Worker Grant The Art Worker Artist Grant is a biennial grant to support artists whose livelihoods are connected to the production, handling, exhibition, care, movement, or stewardship of art. The grant is intended to support the development of artistic work, in whatever form that may take. Funds may be used for studio time, travel, healthcare, research, equipment, rest, materials, living expenses, childcare, or something else entirely. Learn more.
Deadline: September 14, 2026
Call for Original Student Artwork The Massachusetts Department for Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) invites K-12 student artists to submit their work to be featured in the DESE board rooms during the week of September 28, 2026 in honor of Hispanic or Latino heritage month. The theme is “Our Diversity is Our Strength”. The selection committee will prioritize showcasing work from a variety of schools across the Commonwealth. The committee will consider the piece as well as any accompanying artists’ statement in selecting works that address the theme. Students may submit original visual art including but not necessarily limited to drawings, collage, paintings, murals, sculptures, computer illustrations, and/or photographs. Students may submit work created specifically for this event or work that they have done before that fits the theme. Learn more.
Deadline: September 14, 2026
Artist Awards Artadia is now accepting applications for the 2026 Boston Artadia Awards from all visual artists who have lived and worked within Bristol, Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, and Suffolk Counties for the last two consecutive years at minimum. Individual artists and collaboratives working in all visual media and at any stage in their career are strongly encouraged to apply. Artadia Awardees are selected through a two-tier jury process that combines local expertise with outside perspective from leading curators. A preliminary panel will evaluate all online submissions and select six Finalists in late September. A second panel will conduct virtual studio visits with each Finalist, gaining a broader context for the artists’ work. Of the Finalists, the jurors will designate three artists to receive $15,000 in unrestricted funds. Learn more.
Deadline: September 15, 2026 – 11:59pm (midnight) ET
Call to Artists The Artist Group of Charlestown is accepting entries for the exhibition Boston Uncommon: The Boston You Know by Heart. Eligible media include painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture, ceramics, glass, mixed media, installation, and other original visual art. Learn more.
Deadline: September 16, 2026
Call for Art: Annual Fall Juried Show The James Library & Center for the Arts in Norwell, MA, invites regional artists (emerging to established) to submit 2D and 3D work for its Fall Juried Show (Oct 30–Dec 5, 2026), juried by Julie Lohnes. Cash prizes awarded for Best in Show. Learn more.
Deadline: Sept 22, 2026 (11:59 PM)
Public Art Learning Fund The Public Art Learning Fund provides grants of $500 to $3,000 to support professional development opportunities for New England artists to strengthen their public art practices. Through the Public Art Learning Fund, NEFA intends to foster the continued development of more equitable, inclusive, and vibrant public spaces and public life throughout New England. Learn more.
Deadline: October 13, 2026
Public Artists Public Art for Spatial Justice (PASJ) aims to support public artmaking that helps us see, feel, experience and imagine more just futures for our public spaces and public culture. Massachusetts-based artist(s) and Massachusetts-based organizations working with artist(s), are welcome to apply for grants ranging from $15,000-30,000. Projects must take place in Massachusetts and creatively cultivate expressions or embodiments of spatial justice through public artmaking of any discipline. Learn more.
Deadline: December 1, 2026
Cross Sector Resource: Learn about the Federal changes affecting MassHealth (Medicaid) members.
Image credit: Artist Édouard Manet, Woman Reading, oil on canvas, 24 1/16 × 19 7/8 in. From Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Larned Coburn Memorial Collection, Art Institute of Chicago. Painting depicts seated woman holding and reading a book. She’s wearing a long sleeve black outfit with matching black hat.
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