Material Needs Grant 2025-26

ArtsWorcester

Worcester, MA

Timeline

Submission deadline: January 30, 2025

Notifications: by February 26, 2025

Material Needs Exhibition: Fall, 2026

Click here for an information packet about the Material Needs Grant, or contact alice@artsworcester.org with any questions.

Grant Details

Material Needs Grants, funded by an anonymous donor, support the expenses of supplies and materials for the creation of new art in Worcester County. With this gift, ArtsWorcester is able to distribute grants to local artists between $500 and $1,500. Artists who receive a Material Needs Grant in 2025 will exhibit their work in a group show at ArtsWorcester in 2026.

All eligible proposals are reviewed by a committee of three individuals with experience in the arts. 

Proposals are considered for their novelty, innovation, potential impact (on the viewer, your career, and on other artists in the area), and feasibility (can you do it, and can you do it in one calendar year?).
 

Eligibility

Projects must have some element that can be shown inside ArtsWorcester’s galleries in a fall 2026 group exhibition.

You must have been an artist member of ArtsWorcester for at least one calendar year prior to applying for a Material Needs Grant, and you must reside in Worcester County, Massachusetts. We regret that members residing outside of Worcester County are not eligible.

If you have previously received a Material Needs Grant, you must wait three years from the previous application date before applying again.

If you are unsure of your eligibility, contact alice@artsworcester.org.

Expenses Covered

These grants are restricted to expenses for the supplies, materials, and equipment (purchased or rented) needed to make new art. Proposals for any and all kinds of visual art are welcome, including but not limited to painting, photography, fiber, ceramics, sculpture, video, and digital artwork.

Examples of expenses not covered would be studio rental, framing, publicity and promotional costs, insurance or transportation of artwork.

Artists who receive a Material Needs Grant are given a check with their awarded amount up front, and are responsible for saving and submitting receipts at the end of their cycle.

CALL FOR ART

Origin: A Juried Exhibition

Produced by the Future Arts Workers of Worcester

Registration Deadline: March 13, 2025

Notifications: by April 2, 2025

Drop off period: April 9 - April 13, 2025

Exhibition run: May 8 - June 29, 2025

Reception: May 28, 2025, 6 - 8 PM

Artwork pickup: July 13 - July 16, 2025

All ArtsWorcester members are invited to submit to Origin, the first juried exhibition produced by the Future Arts Workers of Worcester.

Everything starts somewhere. From childhood and lineage, to old stories and ancient myths, everything hails from an original point: a time in which the things we know began, and a time in which we ourselves began.

Look back, and share an artwork that incorporates your idea of origin: a birthplace, cultural traditions, history, relationships, personal experiences, trends, or even materials.

This is a juried exhibition, meaning that the jurors will consider all eligible submissions and select some artworks to be shown at ArtsWorcester. All artist members may submit up to three pieces for consideration. Submission is free for ArtsWorcester members, and membership to ArtsWorcester is required. All media are welcome including but not limited to painting, sculpture, photography, fiber, fine craft, digital art, and video. 

Wall-hanging artworks- including sculptures that go on the wall- must not exceed 36” in any direction including frame. Artworks that stand on the floor or on a pedestal are limited to 60” in height and 36” at the widest point. 

Origin will be juried, designed, and installed by the high school students participating in our Future Arts Workers of Worcester program. Artwork will be handled by students under the supervision of ArtsWorcester staff. 

The Future Arts Workers are Worcester Public high school students apprenticing as arts administrators in a year-long program at ArtsWorcester. Drawn from across the city, they have been learning the building blocks of professional arts and cultural work, and meeting with practitioners from other local organizations. They developed this theme and wrote this call.

Have a question about the call, or want to share what you’re thinking of submitting? Email alice@artsworcester.org or call the gallery at 508-755-5142.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Please read this list thoroughly before registering your work. Any works that do not meet these requirements will not be considered.
 

• All submissions must be registered through this Submittable form.
• Current ArtsWorcester membership is required to submit. If membership fees are a financial obstacle for you, please write alice@artsworcester.org or ask in the galleries about the Pay It Forward Fund. 
• Each artist may submit up to three works of art for consideration. Each artwork must be submitted separately. There is no additional fee for submitting.
• All work must be original, created within the last ten years (2014 onward), and not previously exhibited at ArtsWorcester.
• Wall-hanging artworks- including sculptures that go on the wall- must not exceed 36” in any direction including frame. Artworks that stand on the floor or on a pedestal are limited to 60” in height and 36” at the widest point. 
• Works must be exhibition-ready with framing and wire as appropriate. Alternative hanging methods must be tested prior to submission to ensure successful installation, and additional required hardware must be provided.
• Video artists may use ArtsWorcester’s tablets for display on a first-come, first-serve basis. If no tablets are available, or a larger monitor is required, the artist must provide it at the time of installation.
• All artwork submissions must include one high-quality image to be included on the exhibition website. Detailed images are suggested.
• Accepted artworks must be brought to ArtsWorcester, 44 Portland Street, Worcester, MA during the designated drop off period. ArtsWorcester cannot accept artworks by mail.
• Artists receive sixty percent of each sale made through our galleries.

CALL FOR ART:

The 21st ArtsWorcester Biennial

Submission Deadline: March 19, 2025

First Round of Notifications: by April 2, 2025

Drop off for in-person jurying: April 16-19, 2025

Final Round of Notifications: by April 23, 2025

Exhibition Dates: May 4 through July 9

Artwork pickup: July 13 - July 16

Since 1985, the ArtsWorcester Biennial has shown some of the region’s best contemporary visual art. The tradition continues in 2025 with the 21st ArtsWorcester Biennial, juried by Francine Weiss, Ph.D., independent curator and arts consultant. Read more about our juror here.

The ArtsWorcester Biennial has no theme. All media are welcome, including but not limited to painting, sculpture, photography, fiber, fine craft, digital art, and video. 

The winner of the Sally Bishop Biennial Prize will receive a $1,000 award and a solo exhibition at the Worcester Art Museum during their 2026-27 season. 

Additional honors include the Evelyn Claywell Absher Award for Abstract Art and the Ruth Susan Westheimer Prize for Fine Craft, both of which come with $1,000 prizes (Abstract work and fine craft are eligible for the Sally Bishop Prize as well). Another $2,000 in prizes will be given at the discretion of the juror. As part of the Worcester Art Museum’s support of the Biennial, the first one hundred and fifty artists who submit work to the Biennial, regardless of its acceptance, will receive a complimentary, one-year individual membership to WAM.

All entries must be made online, and current ArtsWorcester membership is required to submit. A $15 fee applies to each work submitted, with a maximum of three works per artist. If you would like financial assistance with membership or Biennial fees through our Pay It Forward Fund, please contact alice@artsworcester.org.

There will be two rounds of jurying for the Twenty-First ArtsWorcester Biennial: one online and the second in-person. Artists will be notified of the status of their artwork(s) in the first round by April 2 and must bring their artwork to ArtsWorcester between April 16 and April 19. ArtsWorcester cannot accept or return work by shipping. Artists will be notified of final decisions by April 23. Any artwork not accepted must be picked up by May 10. 

Have a question about the call, or want to share what you’re thinking of submitting? Email alice@artsworcester.org or call the gallery at 508-755-5142.

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Submission Guidelines:

• ArtsWorcester membership is required for submission. Membership fees are non-refundable. If you would like financial assistance with membership, please contact alice@artsworcester.org.
• Each artist may submit up to three works for consideration, and all entries must be made online.
• A non-refundable $15 fee applies to each work submitted. Payment must be made online at the time of submission. If you would like financial assistance with Biennial fees, please contact alice@artsworcester.org.
• Artwork must be original, completed within the last five years (2019 onward), and not previously exhibited at ArtsWorcester. For example, a monoprint or screen print is permitted, but a giclée print of a painting is not.
• Two-dimensional artworks or artworks that hang on the wall must not exceed 60" in any direction, including frame.
• Three-dimensional artworks are limited to 90" in height, and no single element can exceed 50 pounds. Three-dimensional artworks may not exceed 48" at their widest point.
• Artworks suspended from the ceiling are limited to 50 pounds.
• ArtsWorcester has limited screening equipment for video works. Video artists may be asked to provide their own screening device.
• Works must be exhibition-ready with framing and wire as appropriate. Alternative hanging methods (suspension from the ceiling, installation with magnets, etc.) must be tested prior to submission to ensure successful installation.
• If accepted, work must be delivered in person or by proxy. ArtsWorcester cannot accept or return work by shipment.
• Artworks not accepted in the second round of in-person jurying must be picked up following the second notification.
• Artists receive sixty percent of each sale made through our galleries.

CALL FOR ART- ArtsWorcester, Worcester MA

Monochrome: A Members’ Exhibition in Collaboration with the Fitchburg Art Museum

Registration Deadline: February 12, 2025

Drop off period: February 20 - 23, 2025

Exhibition run: March 6 - April 13, 2025

Reception: March 7, 2025, 6 - 9 PM

Pick up period: April 16 - 19, 2025

All ArtsWorcester Artist members are invited to participate in Monochrome: our thirteenth annual Call and Response collaboration with the Fitchburg Art Museum.

Color is an essential element of visual art. Color, or the absence of it, shapes light, communicates emotions, attracts attention, and references culture.

Artist members are asked to delve deeply into the dominant color of their choice, and respond to one (or more) of ten artworks on loan from the Fitchburg Art Museum. This year’s loan features artworks that each utilize a limited color palette, or are dominated by a single color. View the loan here and in-person at ArtsWorcester starting in January.
 

Your artwork’s color does not need to match the color of your inspiring work. For example, responses to the cyanotype could be another cyanotype; an artwork in which another color takes the place of the cyanotype’s blue, or an artwork made with a different chemical process that produces a specific color.

The Fitchburg Art Museum’s curatorial staff will select ten works from Monochrome by ArtsWorcester artist members to be exhibited at FAM alongside the loaned works. FAM will be looking for artworks that intentionally utilize and celebrate a limited color palette, and that connect to their loan.

Submitted artworks must correlate in some way to 1-3 artworks from the FAM loan. You will be asked to identify the work(s) that inspired your piece when submitting. All media are welcome, including but not limited to painting, fine craft, photography, sculpture, digital, and video.

Have a question about the call, or want to share what you’re thinking of submitting? Email alice@artsworcester.org or call the gallery at 508-755-5142.
 

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Please read this list thoroughly before registering your work. Any works that do not meet these requirements will not be considered.

• Current ArtsWorcester membership is required to submit. If membership fees are a financial obstacle to participation, please write alice@artsworcester.org or ask in the galleries about the Pay It Forward Fund.
• Each artist may submit one artwork.
• Submitted artworks must correlate in some way to 1-3 artworks from the FAM loan.
• All submissions must be made through this Submittable form. 
• All work must be original, created within the last ten years (2014 onward), and not previously exhibited at ArtsWorcester. 
• Two-dimensional or wall-hanging artworks must not exceed 36” in any direction, including frame.
• Three-dimensional artworks that do not hang on the wall are limited to 90” in height and 36” at the widest point.
• Artworks suspended from the ceiling are limited to 25 pounds.
• Works must be exhibition-ready with framing and wire as appropriate. Alternative hanging methods (suspended from the ceiling, installed with magnets, etc.) must be tested prior to submission to ensure successful installation, and additional required hardware must be provided.
• ArtsWorcester has limited tablets for screening video works. Artists submitting video works may be asked to provide their own screening device.
• All artwork submissions must include one high-quality image to be included on the exhibition website.
• Artwork must be brought to ArtsWorcester, 44 Portland Street, Worcester, MA during the designated drop off period. ArtsWorcester cannot accept or return artworks by mail.
• Artists receive sixty percent of each sale made through our galleries.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Member-Curated exhibitions

ArtsWorcester, Worcester MA

Rolling submission deadline

Notifications: beginning early June, 4-6 weeks after submission

Click here for complete information on the call, including venue floor plans. You should look for information specific to the Member-Curated opportunity and the Central Corridor.

ArtsWorcester invites proposals for our 2024-25 gallery season. Member-Curated Exhibitions are an opportunity for artists to use their curatorial skills and gain independent, hands-on experience producing an exhibition. Located in ArtsWorcester’s Central Corridor, these shows include at least 3-4 artist members’ work, chosen by one curator. The curator may include their own artwork in the proposal. All participating artists must be ArtsWorcester members. 

Curators are responsible for communicating with participating artists, collecting, delivering, and retrieving artwork, providing an exhibition statement, and installing the exhibition in the Central Corridor. ArtsWorcester staff will be available for input on layout and to train the curator on the Arakawa hanging system.

Successful proposals should clearly state a curatorial vision for the space and the artists to be included. Curators should have experience working with ArtsWorcester and must demonstrate their capacity to fulfill this leadership role. Proposals are welcome on a rolling basis, and will be evaluated by ArtsWorcester staff and volunteers.

All work must be wall-hanging and may not extend more than 12” from the wall. Artworks are hung on a secured Arakawa hanging system (track and wire) and D-rings. This space cannot accommodate free-standing or pedestal artwork. Further questions about what type of artwork is feasible in this space may be directed to alice@artsworcester.org.

Submission requirements and guidelines

• Current ArtsWorcester membership is required for all artists at the time of submission. There is no geographic restriction on membership, but artists (or their proxy) must deliver and pick up all artwork. If membership fees are a financial obstacle to participation, please write alice@artsworcester.org or ask in the galleries about the Pay It Forward Fund.
• Artists must have exhibited in at least one members’ or juried exhibition at ArtsWorcester in the last two calendar years prior to submitting an exhibition proposal.
• All submissions must be made electronically using Submittable. Hard-copy and email submissions will not be accepted.
• Artists may submit different proposals to the different exhibition options available.
• The committee prioritizes proposals from artists who have not had a solo exhibition at ArtsWorcester in the past three years.
• Exhibited works must have been completed within the last five years and not previously shown at ArtsWorcester.
• Proposals must be original, and must not have been submitted to any prior exhibition calls at ArtsWorcester.
• Artists under final consideration for Member-Curated exhibitions may be asked to bring in examples of proposed works for in-person viewing.
• Artists earn 60% on sales made through our galleries. Artists exhibiting through our corporate art program also receive loan fees for their artwork.
• While on view through ArtsWorcester, all artwork is insured for its market value.

What we need from you:

• An exhibition proposal, not to exceed 175 words, that describes the scope of your proposed exhibition.
• A list of the artists you intend to include in the exhibition.
• Answers, each not to exceed 100 words, to the following questions: How complete is your proposed exhibition? What one to three ideas, concepts, or experiences does this body of work/ exhibition communicate? What inspirations or traditions guided or influenced this body of work/ exhibition? How are the methods or techniques used important to this body of work/ exhibition? 
• A curriculum vitae or artist resumé. Click here for examples of CVs for both gallery-based and public artists.
• 5 .jpg images of works from the artists to be included