Of Note: Be sure to Register to Vote in Massachusetts. The deadline to register to vote, update your registration, or change your party in Massachusetts is 10 days before any election or town meeting. The general election is November 3, 2026. Make sure you are registered and vote!
Call to Artists The Bedford Cultural District has published a call for art for the 7 planned large-scale frames that will be used to display printed banners of artwork. They will be installing 7 banner frames along the Narrow Gauge Trail between The Great Road and Loomis Street. They are looking for artists to submit work to be printed on the banners. Each artist selected will get one banner printed to display their artwork for up to 2 years (time length maybe subject to change). If selected the artist will receive $250 for their contribution. Learn more.
Anonymous Was a Woman Survey Anonymous Was A Woman (AWAW), in partnership with SMU DataArts and journalist Charlotte Burns, is launching the second Artists Speak survey. This time,they’re returning to some of the most important questions from 2024 to see what has shifted over the past two years, while digging deeper into new issues that have emerged, from AI and other technologies, to changes in policy and funding, so we can better understand what artists need now. Women, non-binary and trans visual artists of all ages are welcome to complete the survey. It takes approximately 15–20 minutes to complete (and you can save your progress and return to finish if needed). Your responses are completely confidential, and findings will only be reported in aggregate; any quotes used will be anonymized to protect your identity. Learn more.
Deadline: Survey Closes January 3, 2027
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
Community Conversations MASSCreative advances the advocacy learning, cross-sector alliances and organizing efforts necessary for a more equitable and inclusive arts, cultural and creative sector for all in Massachusetts. Join MASSCreative in a series of conversations: Berkshire County Community Conversation, October 29, 2026, 5:30-7:30, Colonial Theater, Pittsfield; Greater Boston Community Conversation, November 4, 2026, 6:00?PM 8:00?PM, The Foundry, Cambridge, MA.
Call to Artists James Library & Center for the Arts in Norwell has a call for entries for their Emerging Artist Show (December 18, 2026 – January 23, 2027). The exhibit is sponsored by the Frame Center of Hanover, the Hanover Cultural Council, Hingham Cultural Council, and Marshfield Cultural Council. Awards for Best in Show: $250.00 First Place, $125.00 Second Place, $75.00 Third Place Honorable Mention. Submission Fees: $5 entry fee and $5 per artwork, Limit of six (6) artworks per artist. Learn more.
Deadline: November 1, 2026
Call for Muralist The Harvard Ed Portal is seeking local artists for a short-term mural at 224 Western Avenue in Allston. Priority for Allston-Brighton & Cambridge creatives; open to all local artists. The mural board is freestanding and modestly sized (approximately 8 x 12 feet). In addition to the mural, the artist will also provide visual and written materials for related content on the Ed Portal’s website. Selected artist(s) will receive a payment of $1000–$1500 which includes an honorarium as well as a materials budget. The fee variability is dependent on project complexity and the number of people involved. Learn more.
Deadline: November 5, 2026 at midnight
Call to Artists TILL Wave Gallery in Watertown is currently accepting entries for their winter exhibition The Art of Emotions. This exhibit is a collaboration between DDS Metro Region Cultural Diversity Committee and Till Wave Gallery. The show will open on Dec. 3rd and run through Feb. 6, 2027. Learn more.
Deadline: November 6, 2026
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.
Emerging Artist Fellowship Dunamis’ Emerging Artist Fellowship is currently accepting applications. If you’re searching for a creative community, passionate about creating any type of art, unsure how to navigate the industry and need a dedicated and supportive team to help you discover and develop your identity as an artist, then this fellowship is for you. Info Session on October 28,m 2026. Learn more.
Deadline: November 10, 2026
Call for Small Artworks The Cultural Center of Cape Cod announces SMALL WONDERS (November 18-December 19, 2026), a juried show of art that’s reasonably priced and measures no more than 12″ on any side (though the frame may extend beyond that). They welcome work in many media (paintings, photographs, textiles, glass, sculpture, ceramics, collage, assemblage, mixed media, etc., but no video). There is no theme. People who purchase artwork will be able to take it home immediately. Suggested price: no more than $350. The submission fee is $10 per piece for up to five pieces. Learn more.
Submission drop-off: Monday, November 16, 2026 from 10am-4pm
Call to Artists Art Fluent is currently accepting entries for their online exhibit, Go Green. Over $1,200 in cash prizes. All accepted pieces will be displayed in their online gallery. Fees: $25 for first entry/$10 for each additional entry. You may enter up to 20 total. Payment is non-refundable and does not guarantee acceptance. For 3D work, there is no need to pay for additional entries for detail shots. Learn more.
Deadline: November 20, 2026, at midnight MST.
Calls for Proposals Studio 170 programs at Goethe-Institut Boston are open and accepting applications. Since 2019, Studio 170 offers artists of all ages and disciplines from New England a chance to use the institute’s beautiful public space as a laboratory for ideas during a two-week residency period, which includes a stipend of $1000 and $1000 for materials. Learn more. To promote cross-cultural exchange the Goethe-Institut furthermore offers a travel stipend for New England based artists who are planning an artist residency or a collaborative project in Germany. Learn more.
Deadline: Both programs are open until November 22, 2026
Music Competition The Boston International Music Competition (BIMC) announces that applications for its 2027 season opened on September 15, 2026, inviting talented musicians, composers, vocalists, and ensembles from around the world to participate in a series of international competitions celebrating musical excellence, artistic development, and cultural exchange. BIMC consists of four independent competitions: Boston International Music Competition Premier; Boston International Composition Competition; Boston International Chinese Song Competition; Boston International Chorus & Ensemble Competition which is held biennially. Learn more.
Of Note: Creative Ground the New England Foundation for the Arts Creative Ground site is a free resource available for artists and creatives to list a public profile for yourself or for the creative entity you represent. It is used by creative professionals and the public to connect with the creatives in their community and region. (Anyone worldwide can search CreativeGround, but only arts and culture assets in New England can have profiles, as the site is a regional resource.) Learn more.
Cross Sector Resource: Find a local Massachusetts food bank.
Image credit: Orpheus, c. 1903–10. Odilon Redon (French, 1840–1916). Pastel on brown paper; sheet: 68.8 x 56.8 cm (27 1/16 x 22 3/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift from J. H. Wade, 1926.25. Drawn in vivid layers of pastel crayon, this work depicts the head of the poet and musician Orpheus. The story of the god of music, whose music carried on after his death through his lyre and head, fascinated Redon, who related to Orpheus’s dedication to his art.t
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