Identity Lab Branding Workshop Defining brand identity, crafting an identity Statement, hands-on, collaborative Learning and tailored insights for artists. Thursday, May 1, 2025, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM, 770 Boylston St, Boston, MA. Format: Highly interactive, hands-on, collaborative. Cost: $25 (Intentionally accessible for emerging professionals). Capacity: Strictly limited to 20 participants for personalized feedback. Learn more and register.
Call for Figurative Sculptures The National Endowment for the Humanities announced the National Garden of American Heroes: Statues grant program, a funding opportunity to support the design and creation of statues of important American historical figures for the planned National Garden of American Heroes. Learn more to apply. Here is a link to the press release.
National Arts Survey How Are Policy Changes Impacting the Arts? Americans for the Arts is launching a new National Pulse Survey to better understand how recent policy developments—at the federal and state levels—are affecting the health of the arts and culture sector. Survey takes 6 Minutes. Take the quick national survey—your voice matters!
Deadline: May 9, 2025
Understanding Affordable Arts Workspaces: From Rehearsal Space to Creative Studios and Beyond. Thursday, May 1, 5:30 – 7:00 pm, New Alliance Studio, 438R Somerville Ave, Somerville, MA 02143. Building on our last event at Boston City Hall—where we examined how government, and communities can integrate the arts into developments—we now turn our focus to a vital piece of the puzzle: affordable, accessible creative workspaces for Boston’s artists. Creative communities thrive on collaboration, yet in the Boston area, affordable space remains out of reach for many artists—and artistic groups often operate in silos. How can artists, designers, and advocates come together to shape sustainable, inclusive solutions that support the evolving needs of the city’s cultural sector? Join a dynamic panel featuring a musician, an arts advocate, and an architect with hands-on experience creating grassroots spaces that are both functional and financially viable. Together, we will explore the story of New Alliance Studio—a recording studio in Somerville that has supported local, national, and international artists since 1987 despite being twice displaced. As a special perk, this even t will be hosted at the studio itself. Capacity is limited; First come, first served. Panelists: Ethan Dussault, Co-owner of New Alliance Studio – An audio engineer and dedicated advocate for policy changes that empower artist groups; Ami Bennitt,ArtStaysHere Coalition – Representing a network of advocates across the Commonwealth fighting to preserve and expand creative spaces. The event will be moderated by Natasha Espada, AIA, NOMA, LEED AP BD+C, Founder and Principal, STUDIO ENÉE Architects – A creative leader and architect shaping inclusive spaces for artistic expression. Register via this link.
BIPOC Artist Membership for Printmakers Zea Mays Printmaking is accepting applications for the BIPOC Artist Membership, a yearly program that offers free studio membership and 100 studio hours to artists of color. Artists of all printmaking experience levels who identify as BIPOC are encouraged to apply. Applications will be reviewed by Zea Mays Printmaking management and faculty, and selected based on how well applicants’ experience, needs and goals match what the studio programming has to offer. Learn more.
Deadline: May 14, 2025
Emerging Writers The Ploughshares Emerging Writer’s Contest recognizes work by an emerging writer in each of three genres: fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. We consider authors “emerging” if they haven’t published or self-published a book in any genre. One winner in each genre per year will receive $2,000 and publication in the literary journal. The winners will also receive a conversation with our partnering literary agency, Aevitas Creative Management, regarding their work and writing careers. The 2025 contest judges are R . O. Kwon in fiction, Joshua Bennett in poetry, and Elisa Gabbert in nonfiction. Learn more.
Deadline: May 15, 2025
Exhibition Proposals Sought Boston City Hall Galleries The City of Boston invites artists, collectives and arts organizations living, working, or creating in the Greater Boston area to submit proposals for 2D and 3D installations in the Mezzanine Gallery at Boston City Hall. The Boston City Hall Galleries showcase contemporary emerging and mid-career local artists and art organizations. The galleries aim to nurture Boston’s local art scene by displaying a variety of mediums and perspectives that reflect the city’s diversity. Our mission is to provide spaces that present memorable, groundbreaking, concept-driven exhibitions that engage local communities, spark conversations on social issues, and inspire a sense of belonging within Boston City Hall. Learn more.
Deadline: May 18, 2025
Opportunity Fund This grant provides project-based support to Boston-based artists and cultural workers to create and present community-centered arts experiences that expand access to creative expression across all neighborhoods. Experiences must be in a location that is publicly accessible and ADA accessible in the City of Boston. Examples include but are not limited to: public buildings such as libraries, schools, or less traditional arts-learning spaces such as community-based organizations, businesses, and parks. Learn more
Deadline: May 20, 2025
Craft Artists Grant Applications for CERF+ Get Ready Grants for Craft Artists will open on April 29, 2025. These grants provide up to $1,000 to individual craft artists for activities that strengthen studio security, protect practices, plan artistic legacies, and prepare for emergencies.Learn more.
Deadline: June 10, 2025
Call to Artists The New Bedford Art Museum presents The Shape of Who We Are: Exploring Identity, a juried exhibition of works investigating origins, extinction, tradition, and transformation—a reflection of who we are and who we may become. Works may be any medium. The Shape of Who We Are is the second annual call for art of the New Bedford Art Museum’s annual juried exhibition series and is open to artists internationally. Learn more.
Deadline: July 11, 2025
New Resource for Boston Artists Announcing the launch of the Arts Action Consortium (AAC), a dynamic new initiative funded by the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture, aimed at strengthening and sustaining Boston’s creative workforce! ACC is comprised of six distinguished Boston-based partner organizations: Ágora Cultural Architects, Arts and Business Council, Assets for Artists, Bloom Arts Strategy, Dunamis, and Midday Movement Series. AAC’s inaugural program is the Artist Pathways Project, which will offer free resources to Boston artists, including: 1,000 hours of one-on-one consultations for artistic development, grant writing, business development, legal support, and financial literacy; 100+ workshops and 3 cohort opportunities covering essential career-building topics; Access to rehearsal, performance, and convening space; Community building social events.
Graylag Artist Residency Launching in 2025 at Graylag Nature Preserve in rural New Hampshire. This residency is designed for artists who seek uninterrupted time to create in a breathtaking natural setting. Residents will stay in a private cabin surrounded by woodlands, meadows, and waterfront, with access to hiking trails and quiet spaces for reflection. A key element of the program is community engagement—each resident will contribute a workshop, talk, or demonstration, fostering a meaningful exchange between art, nature, and conservation. We welcome applications from artists at any stage of their careers and in any discipline. Given that this is our inaugural year, we are especially excited to connect with artists eager to help shape the program’s foundation. Learn more.
Image credit: Gutzon Borglum, sculptor, standing on ladder, alongside his sculpture, Aviator. Photo shows a World War I memorial for pilot James Rogers McConnell. Completed in 1919, the statue is at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia, c1919. From the collection of the Library of Congress.
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