Graphic: promotional flyer for the Hawaiʻi Island Arts Alliance call for artists, “15th Annual Abstract Only!” exhibit.
A list of federal, state, and other arts and culture grants/opportunities. Questions regarding a particular opportunity should be directed to the organization listed with the opportunity. Inclusion here should not be interpreted as an endorsement.
Student Art Competitions
- Call for student artists: “Trees for Honolulu’s Future”, Hawaiʻi students grades K-8. Email [email protected] to be notified when the 9th annual contest is announced this summer.
- New York Times Student Contest: 16th Annual Summer Reading Contest. Students are invited to tell the NY Times what they are reading in The Times and why, in writing or via a 90-second video. Contest is open June 6 – August 15, 2025. For more information, please visit the NY Times website: NYTimes.com/2025/03/10/learning/our-16th-annual-summer-reading-contest.html.
Calls for Artists and Exhibitions
- Call for Entry (CaFE). The Call for Entry (CAFE) website can be searched by state (choose the “sort by” menu on the left side of the screen). Search the Café website: Artist.CallForEntry.org.
- Aloha Stadium call for artists public art contest to imagine and transform pieces of the original corrugated metal field wall into a sculpture or wall installation. Concept submissions due by June 6, 2025. Additional information and contact form on the State of Hawaiʻi Aloha Stadium website: AlohaStadium.hawaii.gov/main/legacywall.
- Call for artists: 2025 MidSummer Art Celebration exhibit at Wailoa Center. Open to all Hawaiʻi-based artists. Submissions due by June 6, 2025. To apply, go to the CallForEntry.org posting: 2025 MidSummer Art Celebration.
- Washington State: ArtsWA accepting applications for 2025-2029 Public Artist Roster. Applications due by June 17, 2025. The Public Art Roster is ArtsWA’s primary tool for selecting artists for creating artworks through the ArtsWA Art in Public Places program. Artists from the U.S. and B.C., Canada are eligible. Learn more and apply through the ArtsWA website: arts.wa.gov/how-to-get-on-the-public-artist-roster. ArtsWA is the Washington State Arts Commission, a state government arts agency.
- First Peoples Fund Native Performing Arts Production Grant for supporting Native-led performing arts productions (including theatrical plays, Indigenous fashion show, music performances, or other projects). Application window May 19 – June 18, 2025. For more information and to apply, please visit the First Peoples Fund website: FirstPeoplesFund.org/programs/native-performing-arts-program.
- Call for artists: “15th Annual Abstract Only!” exhibit, open to Hawaiʻi residents. Entries due by July 1, 2025. For more information and to enter, please go to the CallForEntry.org posting:2025 15th Abstract Only.
- Call for artists: “Vessels: that which hold” exhibit, open to Hawaiʻi-based 2D and 3D artists in all mediums and styles. Submissions due by August 8, 2025. For more information and to enter, please go to the CallForEntry.org posting: 2025 Vessels.
- “2025 Trash Show: Hawaiʻi Island Recycles” open to Hawaiʻi Island artists. All artworks must be made from post-consumer recycled materials, discards, throwaways, accrual, etc. Large 3-D pieces are encouraged. Submission deadline: September 12, 2025. For more information and to enter, please go to the CallForEntry.org posting: The 2025 Trash Show: Hawaiʻi Island Recycles.
- Hawaiʻi International Film Festival submissions for HIFF45 Fall Festival due by June 20, 2025. HIFF is an Academy-Award Qualifying Festival for shorts. For more information and to submit, please go to FilmFreeway.com/HIFF.
- Upcoming call for artists: University of Hawaiʻi Insect Museum insect art show in October. Submissions are currently scheduled to open in September. To learn more and participate, please contact Sandra Schachat by email at [email protected].
- Call for artists: “Wings and Woodlands: A Tribute to Native Birds and Forests”, Kauaʻi Forest Bird Recovery Project, Birds Not Mosquitoes, Kauaʻi Endangered Seabird Recovery Project and Tree for Honolulu’s Future celebrate Hawaiʻi’s native manu through art. Artists of all ages may enter. Entries due by October 31, 2025. For more information and entry forms, please go to KFBRP Art Exhibit Guidelines 2025 (Google Doc).
Edits
- May 30, 2025: removed a call for artists that had expired.