Register for a Spring Grant Celebration The Mass Cultural Council’s regional grant celebrations continue! Register and join us in marking the Commonwealth’s investments in the cultural sector: Hampden County – March 23, 2026: 1-3pm in Holyoke; Bristol County – March 30, 2026: 1-3pm in New Bedford; Worcester County – May 8, 2026: 1-3pm in Fitchburg; Berkshire County – May 15, 2026: 1-3pm in Stockbridge.
New: MITx Arts Entrepreneurship Course Starts March 25 Mass Cultural Council is excited to spotlight a new Arts Entrepreneurship course available on MITx, offering artists and creatives a professional development opportunity to help them build financially sustainable careers while staying true to their creative vision. This course was funded, in part, through a $60,000 grant to MIT Sloan School of Management, one of the world’s top-ranked business schools, from Mass Cultural Council. MITx is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) online learning initiative, delivering courses created by MIT faculty to learners around the world through digital platforms. This free course features 12 modules and practical exercises designed to equip artists with business skills, and to advance their ability to strategically and sustainably generate revenue through their creative work. Those wishing to learn more are encouraged to register for a March 20 info session hosted by the Mass Cultural Council, featuring the course instructors. Class begins on March 25, 2026 and runs through June 25, 2026. Learn more.
Paid Opportunities for Creatives The Harvard Ed Portal is currently accepting applications for paid opportunities for local creatives—gallery artists, musicians, performers, and dancers. Learn more.
Deadline: March 26, 2026
Filmmakers Fellowship Program The LEF/CIFF fellowship program offers 5 New England-based filmmaking teams with feature length documentary films an opportunity to attend the 2026 Camden International Film Festival for a week of hands-on workshops and project development. This fellowship gives filmmakers a chance to connect with other filmmakers and industry leaders through a series of mentor-led project development workshops, networking events, and curated 1:1 meetings taking place both in-person during the festival and virtually in the weeks following. Selected projects will receive travel stipends as well as accommodations in Camden during CIFF week. For questions contact artistprograms@pointnorthinstutite.org. Learn more.
Deadline: March 27, 2026 at 11:59pm EST
Call to Artists Submissions are now open for the Sue Werner Thoresen Juried Exhibition, a show open to visual artists living in New England. The New Hampshire Art Association (NHAA) invites artists of all genders to explore the evolving experiences of women, girls, and gender-diverse people in New Hampshire and beyond. Artist retains 60%, NHAA retains 40% of sale price. NHAA Members: $20 for one submission/$25 for two submissions/ $30 for three submissions. Non-Members: $40 for one submission/$45 for two submissions/$50 for three submissions. Learn more.
Deadline: March 29, 11:59 p.m.
Independent Filmmakers Grant The Roy W. Dean Grant funds independent films that are unique and make a contribution to society that, without its help, might otherwise never get made. Creative and socially impactful projects budgeted at $500,000 or less are eligible to receive $3,500 in cash and thousands of dollars in donated film products and services. Learn more.
Deadline: March 30, 2026
Call to Artists Artists in all media are invited to submit work for We hold these truths…American Stories, a juried exhibit to be held at the Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, Gloucester, MA, July 3-August 10, 2026. We seek artwork in a wide range of approaches, portrait to abstraction, to present visual narratives of what it is to be American now, in all its voices, rich with complexity. We welcome works that critique, affirm or counter our dominant national narratives. American Stories coincides with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, with hopes of fostering understanding and appreciation of the multiplicity of American experience and giving visitors a chance to see themselves reflected in it. Juror is Angela Alés’s. Entry Fee: Up to 5 submissions, $25 for RNAC members, $35 for non-members. Learn more.
Deadline: May 26, 2026 at 12:00 noon (EST
Call to Artists Watertown Arts Market Registration for arts exhibitors opens April 1 and closes June 30, or as soon as space sells out. Early registration is recommended. Registration is open to local Watertown artists, cultural organizations, and arts-based businesses. If you do not have a Watertown address but have a strong connection to the Watertown community, please email watertownartsmarket@gmail.com before registering. Participation in a prior year does not guarantee a spot for 2026. Food and performance vendor booking is already underway. New food vendors and performers who wish to be considered for this year’s event should reach out to watertownartsmarket@gmail.com. Learn more.
Call to Artists The Massachusetts Environmental Trust (MET) has announced a call for art to Massachusetts artists for North Atlantic Right Whale Conservation artwork to be featured at the Trust’s Massachusetts Right Whale Day Celebration on Friday, April 24, 2026 at the New England Aquarium. Artwork must depict anatomically accurate North Atlantic right whale physical characteristics. Selected artwork will be featured in MET’s charitable online auction to benefit the Marine Mammal Conservation Program. Artists can select a 50/50 split or 100% contribution. No fee to apply. Learn more.
Deadline: April 1, 2026 at 5:00 pm
Application Open for Studios at MASS MoCA Residencies Fellowships & financial aid available. They welcome applications from artists at all career stages, income levels, and geographic locations. We primarily seek applications from visual artists (painters, sculptors, installation artists, photographers, video/new media artists, fiber artists, printmakers, etc.) and writers in all literary discipline. It is free to apply. La aplicación también está disponible en español. Learn more.
Deadline: May 1, 2026
NEA National Heritage Fellowships Nominations The NEA is now accepting nominations for the 2027 NEA National Heritage Fellowships. These fellowships are the nation’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts and recognize artists and individuals who have significantly contributed to our nation’s rich cultural heritage. Nominees must be actively participating in their respective art form, whether as practitioners, mentors, instructors, or scholars, and must be worthy of national recognition. Learn more.
Deadlines: Submit the online nomination form through the NEA’s website (Part 1): Monday, May 11, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. EST.
Additional required materials through Applicant Portal (Part 2): Friday, May 22, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. EST.
Image credit: Color photograph of a 4 leaf clover. From Wikimedia commons.
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