These are the opportunities, I could find for this month through April. I know there are more, but I’ve been a little limited on time for my research. If you know of any other opportunities I could share with the group, please click on the link below this list. Also, if you have any trouble with any of the links below, please let me know.
March 2026: The Final Push
1. Westmoreland County Local Arts Grants
- Deadline: March 24, 2026 (by 4:00 PM)
- For: Non-profit organizations and government entities in Westmoreland County.
- The Opportunity: The Westmoreland County Bureau of Parks and Recreation is offering grants (totaling $25,000 for 2026) to support projects in music, theater, dance, and visual arts that benefit local residents.
- Full Link: https://www.westmorelandcountypa.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=8457
2. Art Syndicate Meeting (Clifford’s)
- Date: March 24, 2026 (6:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
- Location: Clifford’s Carpets In Oil City
- The Event: Join us to meet local creatives, share ideas, and help plot the future of the Oil City arts scene. No gatekeepers, just makers and organizations that love creatives.
3. “Bodies Don’t Lie” Registration (The Manos Gallery)
- Deadline: March 31, 2026
- Location: New Kensington, PA
- The Opportunity: A figurative art exhibition exploring the human form. $30 entry fee for 5–8 pieces. The opening reception is scheduled for May 2, 2026.
- Contact: manosgallery@yahoo.com for entry guidelines.
April 2026: Openings & Deadlines
4. Mini Masterpiece Competition (The Hoyt)
- Deadline: April 1, 2026 (by 4:00 PM)
- Location: New Castle, PA
- The Challenge: A technical challenge to recreate a famous work of art on a tiny 3×3 inch canvas panel. It is a true test of precision and one of the most popular juried events in the region.
- Full Link: https://hoytartcenter.org/art-artists/callforartists/mini-masterpiece/
5. Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Grant (Erie Arts & Culture)
- Applications Open: April 1 – May 31, 2026
- The Opportunity: Access to free business consulting and $2,000 grants to support strategic efforts for your creative business, from marketing to revenue growth.
- Full Link: https://www.erieartsandculture.org/pennsylvania-council-on-the-arts-creative-entrepreneur-accelerator-program-ceap
6. “Bird’s the Word” Open Call (Hatch Hollow)
- Deadline: April 5, 2026
- Location: Meadville, PA
- For: Visual Artists & Writers
- The Challenge: An avian-themed exhibition open to all mediums, including 2D, 3D, and written works (poetry/short prose). This is a fantastic community-driven call in Crawford County.
- Full Link: https://www.hatchhollow.com/upcoming-gallery-exhibitions
7. Appalachian Nature Art Submission (Arcadian Gallery)
- Deadline: April 7, 2026 (11:59 PM ET)
- Eligibility: Residents of PA, MD, VA, WV, and DC.
- The Opportunity: A juried regional competition celebrating the beauty of Appalachia. Over $2,000 in prizes available. Selected works will be exhibited in Cumberland, MD.
- Full Link: https://arcadiangallery.com/
8. Art Night Call: “Emergent Petals” (The Exchange)
- Deadline: April 11, 2026
- Location: Oil City, PA
- For: Visual Artists & Crafters
- The Opportunity: A call for the “Emergent Petals” exhibition themed around spring awakening and growth.
- Full Link: https://rafiandklee.com/events/art-night/open-call/
9. Media Artist + Activist Residency (Leeway Foundation)
- Deadline: April 13, 2026
- The Opportunity: A $25,000 residency for media artists (women, trans, and gender-nonconforming) focused on social justice and collaborating with community organizations.
- Full Link: https://leewayfoundation.submittable.com/submit/349441/media-artist-activist-residency-collaborating-organization-form
10. 2026 Spring Art Show: “Ripples & Reflections” (Corry Artists’ Guild)
- Submission Deadline: May 1, 2026 (To be included in the program)
- Location: Corry, PA
- The Opportunity: Open to all area artists. The show will be held May 8–9 in the Bracken Room at the Corry-Hi Ed Building.
- Full Link: https://corryartistsguild.org/events/
Music & Performance Opportunities
11. 10/20 Collective: Performance & Studio Submissions
- Location: Erie, PA
- Deadline: Rolling
- For: Musicians, Bands, & Performance Artists
- The Opportunity: The 10/20 Collective is a hub for the Erie underground and indie scenes. They accept rolling submissions for live performances and offer professional recording studio access for artists ready to lay down tracks.
- Full Link: https://www.1020collective.com/recording-studio
On the Radar (Ongoing & Rolling)
If you missed the specific April deadlines, these Western PA staples are always looking for fresh regional talent:
- Red Brick Gallery (Foxburg, PA): Seeking new cooperative artist members for their riverfront gallery.
- Full Link: https://alleghenyriverstone.org/red-brick/
- The Gallery at Penn College (Williamsport/Regional): Accepting exhibition proposals for the 2027-28 season.
Western PA Submission Success Tips:
- The 4:00 PM Rule: Organizations like The Hoyt do not use “midnight” deadlines. Their systems often cut off at 4:00 PM sharp. Get your files uploaded the day before!
- Multidisciplinary Writers: For calls like Hatch Hollow, make sure your written work is formatted for gallery display (clean PDF or printed copy specs).
- Local Residency: Ensure your primary residence or business address is within the specific service counties for NW PA grants before spending hours on the application.
Good luck to all our Western PA creators! let’s get to work!
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