Artist Opportunities
The Cleveland County Arts Council is always looking to connect with artists, makers, and creative educators. Whether you want to sell your work or share your skills, we would love to explore possibilities with you.
Your Work. On Our Walls.
The Cleveland County Artists Competition is now open. If you’re ready to put your work out there, this is your moment. All mediums welcome, all voices encouraged.
Get the details and submit here:
https://ccartscouncil.org/pages/cleveland-county-artists-competition
Sell Your Work in Etc., Our Curated Artisan Gift Shop
Etc. showcases handcrafted, original work from artists and makers across North Carolina. We curate the shop throughout the year and are especially interested in unique, well-crafted pieces such as pottery, jewelry, textiles, fine art, prints, and small-batch handmade goods.
Teach a Class or Workshop
We are expanding our class and workshop programming and are seeking artists interested in teaching adults, children, or both. Workshops may include visual arts, fine craft, mixed media, ceramics, or any creative skill you'd like to share with the community.
If you’re interested in either opportunity, please reach out with samples of your work (or workshop idea) to Special Projects Coordinator, donna@ccartscouncil.org
https://southernartssociety.org/call-to-artists/
Grants and fellowships
Artist Support Grants fund professional development and artist development for emerging and established artists to enhance their skills and abilities to create work or to improve their business operations and capacity to bring their work to new audiences. ASC is accepting applications from creatives living in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln and Rowan Counties.
Artists representing visual, craft, performing, traditional, and interdisciplinary art forms are encouraged to apply. Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to spending a significant portion of their time on their artistic work. The Artist Support Grants will support projects occurring between January 1, 2027 and December 31, 2027 but all funds should be expended by June 30, 2028. Artists may request up to $3,000. Applications selected for funding will receive the full award for which they are eligible.
Innovate Artist Grants for Artists and Photographers
Innovate Grant distributes (2) $1,800.00 grants each quarter, to one Visual Artist and one Photographer.
Artist Creative Practice Grants
South Arts offers Artist Creative Practice Grants to ensure that artists from our region can take advantage of career-enhancing opportunities. The grant supports a variety of professional development opportunities, including milestone activities in an artist's career that will likely lead to substantial career growth. Grants up to $3,000 are available for opportunities taking place between November 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. The deadline is April 30, 2026.
Artist Support Grants
Artist Support Grants are funded by the N.C. Arts Council and administered through partnerships with regional consortia of local arts councils. These grants help professional artists in any discipline and at any stage of their careers pursue projects that advance their artistic and professional development. Grant amounts and deadlines vary from region to region. Most are between $500 and $2,000. Contact your granting local arts council for details.