Artist Opportunities

Welcome artists! This is where you will find all the opportunities we create, come across or that are sent to us especially to be shared with the OPAL community. We will keep this refreshed as we receive them.

OPAL + Opportunities = OPALtunities

Satellite and Pop-Up Exhibitions

  • West Cook YMCA

  • Prairie Title

Please complete the submission form

Join OPAL in ITALY, 2027!

The Oak Park Art League has partnered with La Romita School of Art in Umbria Italy to form a group artist retreat in summer 2027.
Currently we are sharing this opportunity and gathering interested artists who would like to learn more join in this exciting art adventure!

Find out more about La Romita School of Art and what’s in store on their website.

If you are interested in participating, we have a created a pre-registration form so we can keep in touch and send you final registration info.

OPAL Internships

We offer internship opportunities to high school junior and seniors as well as college age individuals seeking experience in the visual arts. We have art administration, art education and exhibition focused internships that may be paid or can be fulfilled for college credit.

Please fill out the application fully and attach your resume. We will respond to applicants who complete the entire application with next steps. 


Out in the Community

Forest Preserves of Cook County – Trailside Museum of Natural History

Thursday, Aug. 27 * 6-8pm 
Twilight Creations-Open Art Space  

Musicians, poets, and visual artists find inspiration during the twilight hours in our building or outdoors in our surrounding forests and gardens. 

738 Thatcher Ave River Forest, IL 60305

CAPE (Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education)

 CAPE is hiring several artists to teach regular weekly afterschool art classes at west suburban locations this coming school year.  Specifically looking for Multidisciplinary artists such as Visual Arts, Movement/ Dance, Music, Writing to teach with other artist partners.
Interested? Here is the link to apply
CAPE Teaching Artist Application | Notion

 

Other Opportunities You May Have Missed

Chicago Bird Alliance – 2026 Chicago Bird Photography Contest – Deadline: August 1

Agitator Artist Collective Gallery - Call for Agitator Artist in Residence - Deadline: August 1

The Naperville Partnership for Public Arts – Now Accepting Proposals for Rotating Mural Installation – Deadline: August 1

The Terra Foundation - Collections Grants Encourage Organizations Worldwide to Reinterpret and Re-Present their Permanent Collections – Deadline: August 3

NEIU Art & Design Department now Accepting Applications for their RISO Residency Program – Deadline: August 9

Independent Curators International Applications Now Open for 2026 Chicago Curatorial Seminar – Opportunity for Chicago Area BIPOC Curators – Deadline: August 9

St. Charles Arts Council Call for Art – Building Blocks/What Are We Building With – Deadline: August 11

McHenry Riverwalk Chalkwalk Festival and Competition – Opportunity for Chalk Artists – Registration Deadline: August 15

Kimball Arts Center Now Accepting Submissions for Fall 2026 Artist in Residence – Deadline: August 16

Literary Arts Fund – Applications Now Open for 2026 Project Grants for Nonprofits – Deadline: August 17

2027-2028 Co-Prosperity, Chicago - Open Call for Exhibitions – Deadline: August 17

Azadi Folk School/Pilsen Arts & Community House - Opportunity for Artists and Artisans with Cultural Traditions – Deadline: August 31

Krasl Art Center, St. Joseph MI – Project Space Open Call – Exhibition Proposals for 2027 – Deadline August 31

Decatur Area Arts Council – Regional Arts Partners Applications Open for Nonprofit Organizations – Deadline: September 1

The Terra Foundation - Convening Grants support Conversations, Symposia, and Workshops that Stimulate Interdisciplinary and Intercultural Exchange – Deadline: September 28

David Amarri Foundation - Applications for Chicago Practicing Artists, Artisans, Makers, Curators or Cultural Producers of Art/Events - Deadline: October 4, 2026

Previous
Previous

Day in Our Village

Next
Next

OPAL Satellite Exhibitions