Help Shape the Future Leadership of Mass Cultural Council Chair Ché Anderson and his Governing Council colleagues want to hear from you! Please help shape the future leadership of Mass Cultural Council. The survey will take approximately 6–10 min to complete and will close on October 6, 2026. Complete the survey today.
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
Mass Cultural Council will hold a series of small group “office hours” for applicants to learn about the Grants for Creative Individuals program. Staff will discuss the grant application and answer attendee questions. Online small group “office hour” meetings include:
Office Hour: Getting Started in our Online System, September 24, 2026 at 11:00 am
Office Hour: Preparing and Uploading Your Files, September 30, 2026 at 1:00 pm
Office Hour: Applying as a Traditional Artist/Culture Bearer, October 5, 2026 at 1:00 pm.
Of Note: Scholarship for Professional Clockmakers Applications are currently being accepted for the David Gow Scholarship, a program dedicated to professional careers in clockmaking. $10,000 will be awarded on an annual basis. The scholarship includes an additional $500 stipend used for reimbursing expenses for a 2-day visit to the WHCM in Grafton, MA. This visit entails meeting with the Museum Curator and other Clock and horological experts in the area. Learn more.
Boston-Based Visual, Performing, Interdisciplinary Artists The ACTivate Residency of Boston Center for the Arts (BCA) is a seven-day, site-responsive artist residency in Boston’s historic Cyclorama building, designed to support artists in the exploration of an idea or concept at various points of development. For 2027 BCA will select two ACTivate Residents – individuals or small collectives of artists to expand work that is performative and/or visual in nature. Learn more.
Deadline: September 23, 2026
Youth Art Contest Entries are currently being accepted for the Artilex Art Awards, connecting Creativity With Science & Nature. Open to U.S. and selected international TK–12 participants. Learn more.
Deadline: September 30, 2026
Professional Development The Creative Entrepreneur Fellowship (CEF) is designed to accelerate the careers and practice of a diverse group of artists and creative solopreneurs. CEF is a customized professional development experience for 8-10 individuals who are selected through a competitive application process. The program kicks off in December 2026 and runs through June 2027. Learn more.
Deadline: October 13, 2026
Filmmakers Salem Film Fest (SFF) is accepting submissions for its 20th edition, taking place March 18 – 21, 2027. SFF seeks nonfiction features and shorts from bold, independent voices. The use of AI in your film submission must be disclosed. Please email submissions@salemfilmfest.com to specify its use, if applicable. Learn more.
Deadline: October 31, 2026
Creative Catalyst Fellowship The Creative Catalyst Fellowship supports individual artists whose work engages the public on critical issues facing Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) and can serve as a catalyst for civic participation. Selected artists join a cohort convened for peer sharing and learning, with access to communications consultation and promotion of their final work. Up to eight artists will each receive $30,000 to produce work with the potential to break through to broader audiences and spark conversation around this year’s theme: Belonging. Learn more.
Deadline: October 15, 2026, at 11:59 pm PT
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 to Artists 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. Submissions will be curated by the Executive Director. Fee: up to 3 entries per artist, $20 per submission for non-members, $10 per entry for members. Learn more.
Deadline: October 16, 2026 by 11:59pm
Dancer, Choreographers Mark DeGarmo Dance is seeking 10-second long video submissions from anyone (artists of any discipline, non-artists, dancers or non-dancers) who wants to move and share their expression! All submissions will be compiled into one final Global Dance Circle video and shared on social media! Our 11th Global Dance Circle video will be shared on December 21st (the winter solstice) with the theme: “Celebration”. Professional and recreational dancers from around the world are all invited to submit a clip. Learn more.
Deadline: October 17, 2026 at 11:50 pm
Artist Residencies MASS MoCA in North Adams, MA, is currently accepting applications for their artist residency program. They welcome applications from artists at all career stages, income levels, and geographic locations. Primarily seeking applications from visual artists (painters, sculptors, installation artists, photographers, video/new media artists, fiber artists, printmakers, etc.) and writers in all literary disciplines. It is free to apply. La aplicación también está disponible en español. Fellowships available. Learn more.
Deadline: November 1, 2026
Call to Artists Winchester Open Studios invites all artists to our 4th annual Open Studios on Saturday, November 21 from 10-5pm. Registration is $35 and includes the space as well as artist workshop on strengthening your online persona. Learn more.
Deadline: November 7, 2026
Image credit: Folk art, “Old Bright, The Postman” by George Smart, c.1830s; Tunbridge Wells Museum, from Wikimedia Commons.
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