Leonhard Center and Bellefonte Art Museum seek submissions for art exhibition

The Leonhard Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Education at Penn State is partnering with the Bellefonte Art Museum for Centre County (BAM) to organize an exhibition titled “Making Connections: Art, Engineering and Community.” Students, faculty, and staff are invited to submit original works exploring the intersection of art and engineering. Submissions from the College of Engineering will also be entered into the second annual Leonhard Center Art–Engineering Competition. The exhibition will be curated by Sarah Zappe, Joseph Cusumano, and Benjamin Fehl, who previously curated a related show at the Palmer Museum of Art. Applications are open through October 15, 2026, with the exhibition running from January 1 to February 28, 2027.

PFW breaks ground on new fine arts gallery

Purdue University Fort Wayne’s College of Visual and Performing Arts broke ground on the Dorothy and Paul Shaffer Fine Arts Gallery, a $1.3 million project. The ceremony took place at the university’s Visual and Performing Arts Building, with donor Dorothy Shaffer in attendance and remarks from campus leaders and faculty. The gallery is expected to open in November 2027.

A wardrobe of one’s own: the fashion exhibition on the 19th-century revolution of women’s dress at the Palais Galliera

The Palais Galliera in Paris will host the exhibition "A Wardrobe of One’s Own: Dissident Femininities in the 19th Century" from September 26, 2026 to February 14, 2027. Featuring over 350 works—including clothing, paintings, photographs, and fashion posters—the show explores how 19th-century women appropriated men’s wardrobes, from Amazonian costumes and trousers to suits, ties, and top hats, as a means of emancipation and identity reshaping. Iconic figures such as Marie-Antoinette, George Sand, Rosa Bonheur, and Natalie Clifford Barney are highlighted alongside anonymous subjects from amateur photographs.

George Lucas Announces New 'Star Wars' Project Tied to Skywalker Saga Coming Later This Year

George Lucas announced a new Star Wars exhibition titled "Star Wars in Motion" at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles, set to open on September 22, 2026. The exhibition will feature vehicle designs, props, costumes, and illustrations from the first six films of the Skywalker Saga, including Luke Skywalker's landspeeder and General Grievous' wheel bike. It is part of the museum's inaugural lineup of over thirty installations curated by Lucas and his wife Mellody Hobson, timed ahead of the franchise's 50th anniversary of A New Hope in 2027.

Brushes at the ready: entries open for Redland Art Awards

Entries have opened for the 2026 Redland Art Awards, a biennial contemporary painting prize coordinated by Redland Art Gallery in Queensland, Australia. The competition is open to all Australian artists, offering a total prize pool of $30,500, including a $20,000 acquisitive first prize. The lead judge is curator and arts writer Alison Kubler. The awards, which began in 1981 as a local prize by Redland Yurara Art Society, will culminate in a finalist exhibition from November 2026 to January 2027.

Landmark £5.36m UK touring art exhibition to conclude in Edinburgh

A landmark £5.36 million UK touring art exhibition, "Earthly Paradise: Radical Living in the UK," part of the Going Places scheme coordinated by Art Fund, will conclude at Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh from March to September 2028. The exhibition is one of several initiatives under Going Places, which also includes "Making Her Mark: A Celebration of Women in Art" launching April 30, 2026 at Penlee House Gallery & Museum in Penzance, touring to Kirkcaldy Galleries in 2027, and "Communities of Making" at Inverness Museum & Art Gallery exploring Scottish wool traditions, plus "New Faces New Focus" at Aberdeenshire Farming Museum.

The Venice Biennale Korean Pavilion was built in 1995 as the 26th national pavilion in Giardini Cast..

The article reports on the upcoming 61st Venice Biennale in 2026, focusing on the Korean Pavilion's exhibition titled "Liberation Space: Fortress and Nest." The Korean Pavilion, built in 1995 as the 26th national pavilion in Giardini Castello Park, will present itself as a temporary monument exploring Korea's post-colonial history, specifically the liberation period (1945-1948) and the concept of sovereignty. Artistic director Choi Bit-na has curated the exhibition to address Korea's geopolitical context, viewing the pavilion's 1995 entry as a key moment of decolonization alongside the demolition of the Government-General building and the founding of the Gwangju Biennale.

In '27, Dallas' Katy Trail also will feature fresh art along with fresh air

Dallas's Katy Trail, a popular urban greenway, will debut new public art installations in 2027, integrating fresh artworks alongside the trail's existing recreational amenities. The project aims to enhance the trail experience by adding visual art elements to the natural and built environment.

New Building at Burg Halle Takes Shape

Neubau an der Burg Halle nimmt Form an

The long-delayed new building for the Burg Giebichenstein Kunsthochschule Halle (University of Art and Design Halle) is moving forward, with a construction start now planned for autumn 2027. The Finance Committee of the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament has approved the updated cost estimate of around 42 million euros, clearing the way for the project. While the building was originally slated for completion in 2027, a more realistic finish date is now 2030, with preparatory moves and demolition work scheduled to begin in late 2026.

Museum of the African Diaspora Marks 10 Years of Its Emerging Artists Program

The Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) in San Francisco is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Emerging Artists Program (EAP) by announcing its 2026-2027 cohort. Selected from hundreds of applicants, Bay Area artists Jasmine Ross, Demetri Broxton, Dorian Reid, and Tahirah Rasheed will each receive a fully supported solo exhibition at the museum. The program, which has supported 30 artists since 2015, provides crucial institutional backing, including curatorial guidance and production resources, to creatives at pivotal career moments.

Sculpture by the Sea to return to Cott in 2026 after 2025 hiatus

Sculpture by the Sea, the iconic outdoor art exhibition at Cottesloe Beach in Western Australia, will return in March 2026 after a one-year hiatus. The 18-day event, running from March 6-23, will feature over 70 sculptures by local and international artists and is expected to draw over 200,000 visitors. The 2025 edition was cancelled due to a $700,000 funding shortfall after multiple federal arts packages ended. In response, the Federal Government committed $1.5 million for the next two years, and the State Government added $570,000 through Tourism WA and Lotterywest, which also supports an Access and Inclusion Program for visitors with disabilities. An indoor exhibition of 120 smaller works will be held at Sea View Golf Club.

October 2025 Opportunities: Open Calls, Residencies, and Grants for Artists

This article compiles a list of open calls, residencies, and grants for artists in October 2025, including opportunities such as the Hopper Prize offering $4,500 and $1,000 artist grants, the Abbey Harris Mural Fund in the UK providing up to £7,000 for public murals, and the 2026 Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. Other listings include the Contemporary Reflection Art Exhibition in London, an open call for exhibitions at Municipal Gallery dlr LexIcon in Ireland, the Glen Arbor Arts Center's INteriors show, the Sight/Geist Film & Performance open call in New York City, a creative commission for the Sycamore Gap tree by the National Trust, and the Discovery Art Fair Frankfurt.

New music and art series will rock the block in Redwood City

The Center for Creativity in Redwood City, California, is launching a new fall series called Art+Sound on Broadway, held on three Sunday afternoons in September and October 2025. The series combines live concerts by local musicians, a juried visual arts exhibition titled "Art of the Community: Redwood City 2025," and hands-on art-making activities led by local artists. Performers include Alex and Maya Valdivia, Melissa Modifer, Andy Z, The Corner Laughers, Ol' Blue Genes, and Redwood Souls, while artists such as Elizabeth Gomez, Gadget, and Corinne Feldman lead community workshops. The series is funded by a grant from the Redwood City Arts Commission and takes place on a pedestrian-only block of Broadway outside the historic Hotel Sequoia, where the Center for Creativity is temporarily housed until 2027.

Call for Artists! Submit for the 2026 Tulip Festival Art Exhibit

The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival has announced an open call for artists aged 16 and older from Skagit, Whatcom, San Juan, Island, or Snohomish Counties to submit original tulip-themed 2D artwork for the 2026 Tulip Festival Art Exhibit. A committee will select 25–30 pieces for display throughout April 2026, with one artist chosen to create the official 2027 festival poster and receive a $1,000 prize, plus a People's Choice Award offering $200. Submissions are due by December 1, 2025, with a $25 entry fee.

‘Re-scoped’ Alice Springs art gallery on public exhibition

The Northern Territory government has unveiled revised plans for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Gallery of Australia (ATSIAGA) in Alice Springs/Mparntwe. The redesigned project, led by BVN, Susan Dugdale and Associates, and Clouston Associates, has been reduced from five storeys to three, with 1,300 square metres of exhibition space. A development consent application was submitted earlier this month and is now on public exhibition until 22 August, following cost blowouts that prompted a "re-scoping" of the original scheme. Construction is expected to take 18–24 months, with an opening targeted for late 2027.

A U.S. agency that funds culture wins a judicial reprieve

Une agence américaine qui finance la culture gagne un répit judiciaire

A U.S. federal court has blocked the Trump administration's attempt to cut funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a key agency supporting museums and libraries nationwide. The lawsuit was brought by the American Library Association (ALA) and the AFSCME union, with support from the legal organization Democracy Forward, arguing that the executive branch cannot unilaterally reduce programs authorized by Congress. The ruling temporarily halts the funding reductions, which were part of broader efforts to slash federal cultural spending during Donald Trump's second term.

A 1st-Century Roman Cargo Uncovered in Lake Neuchâtel

Une cargaison romaine du Ier siècle mise au jour dans le lac de Neuchâtel

Archaeologists have completed two major underwater excavation campaigns in Lake Neuchâtel, Switzerland, recovering over 1,000 artifacts from a Roman cargo shipment dating between 20 and 50 AD. The discovery, initially spotted via aerial photography in 2024, includes exceptionally well-preserved items such as Spanish olive oil amphorae, tableware, military weaponry, and rare organic materials like a wicker basket and chariot wheels. The site was kept secret for two years to prevent looting while divers meticulously retrieved the historical treasures.

Art League Houston Announces Open Call for 2027 Exhibitions

Art League Houston (ALH) has issued an open call for exhibition proposals for its 2027 season, inviting artists, curators, and collectives from around the world to apply for six total exhibitions across winter and summer sessions. Proposals are accepted in all disciplines, including visual arts, installation, performance, video, and interdisciplinary practices. An artist advisory board will review submissions between November 2025 and January 2026, with a free application deadline of October 31, 2025. Selected artists will receive stipends ranging from $700 to $2,700, and ALH will host a FAQ session in mid-September to assist applicants.

Call for artists open for 17th annual juried exhibition

The City of St. Catharines has opened the call for artists to submit work for its 17th Annual Juried Art Exhibition, titled "Current." Emerging, student, and established artists living in the Niagara Region are invited to explore the theme of currents—literal waterways like the Welland Canal and Niagara River, as well as cultural, social, and technological forces. Submissions in all mediums created within the past three years are eligible, with a deadline of June 29, 2026. The exhibition will run from September 18, 2026, to January 22, 2027, in the City Hall gallery, and selected artists receive an exhibition fee and possible acquisition into the city's Municipal Art Collection.

Aumenti salariali e welfare per i lavori della cultura. È stato firmato il nuovo Contratto Nazionale di Lavoro. L’intervista

A new national labor contract for Italy's cultural sector has been signed. The Federculture National Labor Contract, finalized on April 30, 2026, includes a 7.5% increase in minimum wages (effective December 1, 2024), doubled welfare contributions for healthcare, and a simplified job classification system. The agreement was reached between Federculture and major unions including FP CGIL, CISL FP, UIL FPL, and UIL PA, with negotiations for the 2025-2027 term set to resume on May 26.

Former Farmers building 'leading candidate' for art gallery

A feasibility study commissioned by the Invercargill City Council has identified the former Farmers department store building on Dee Street as the leading candidate for a new public art gallery in Invercargill, New Zealand. The study, prepared by Rebecca McElrea of McElrea Consulting, assessed multiple location options—including the H&J Smith building, an extension of the Te Unua Museum site, and incorporation into the new Te Unua museum—but concluded that the Farmers building offers the best alignment with investment objectives due to its size, configuration, central city location, and preliminary cost certainty. The council will consider proceeding with a detailed business case for this option at a committee meeting on Tuesday.

Fellowship Open Call – Shaping Africa’s Curatorial Futures

Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) and the University of the Western Cape (UWC) have launched an open call for their fully funded 2027 Museum Fellowship Programme. The year-long initiative offers emerging African art professionals a combination of practical museum training and postgraduate academic study, aiming to develop the next generation of curators, researchers, and arts professionals on the continent.

Three Years, One City: Tulsa’s Transformative Artist Fellowship.

The Tulsa Artist Fellowship has announced an open call for its 2027–2029 award cycle, seeking ten artists and arts workers for a three-year residency in Oklahoma. Selected fellows receive a comprehensive financial package totaling over $150,000 in stipends, plus housing and relocation support, in exchange for committing to live and work in Tulsa. The program, established by the George Kaiser Family Foundation, emphasizes long-term community engagement and the development of ambitious, site-specific projects.

Fundación Botín Opens 2026–2027 Art Grants for International Artists

The Fundación Botín has opened applications for its 2026–2027 Art Grants program, offering six grants of €23,000 each to support individual artistic projects. The nine-month grants fund research, training, or production, with selected artists' work to be featured in the Itinerarios exhibition at Centro Botín. Applications close on 8 May 2026.

Okotoks Art Gallery accepting 2027 exhibition proposals

The Okotoks Art Gallery is now accepting exhibition proposals for its 2027 season, with a submission deadline of May 30. Artists and curators are invited to submit proposals including a cover letter, artist statement, resume, and related images, which will be reviewed by a jury of arts professionals. The gallery rotates exhibits through its large and small galleries throughout the year.

‘Nothing to See Here’: The UAG Commemorates its temporary closing with a party After-Hours

The University Art Gallery (UAG) at the University of Pittsburgh held an 'After-Hours Party' titled 'Nothing to See Here' to mark its temporary closure for renovations. The event transformed the gallery into an underground club-like atmosphere with a DJ, graffiti, and construction-themed decor, offering screenings, photo shoots, and interactive art critiques to students and the Pittsburgh community.

EOI Exhibition for 2027: Berninneit Art Gallery, Phillip Island Opportunities

Bass Coast Shire Council has officially opened the call for Expressions of Interest for the 2027 exhibition season at Berninneit Art Gallery on Phillip Island. Artists, curators, and collectives are invited to submit proposals for six-week exhibition slots in the award-winning facility, which serves as the region's first purpose-built professional visual arts space. The application window remains open until May 29, 2026, targeting a diverse range of contemporary practices from local and national creators.

Monroe student artists bring annual exhibit to IHM campus

The Monroe County Community College Student Art Club is presenting its annual art show from May 22 through July 15 at St. Therese at IHM Senior Living in Monroe, Michigan. The exhibition features student artwork in various media including pencil, watercolor, acrylic, pottery, and sculpture, with a public reception on May 22 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Select pieces are available for purchase during gallery hours, and the club is seeking exhibitors for 2027.

Call for Applications: Reiwa 8 (2026) Overseas Training Program for Emerging Artists – Japanese Culture Promotion and Dissemination Project

公募｜令和8年度新進芸術家海外研修制度における「日本文化発信・普及事業」

Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs (Bunka-cho) is now accepting applications for the "Japanese Culture Promotion and Dissemination Project" under the 2026 (Reiwa 8) Overseas Training Program for Emerging Artists. This separate track supports established cultural figures, artists, and researchers—not just emerging artists—to conduct activities that promote and disseminate Japanese culture abroad. The program covers travel, accommodation, and activity costs up to 1.5 million yen, with派遣 periods ranging from 20 to 80 days between October 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027. Applications must be received by June 5, 2025, and results will be announced by early September.

Imaginative Sculptures Herald an Austin Artist’s First Solo Museum Show

Laura Lit, an Austin-based artist, has opened her first solo museum exhibition, "Impossible Beings," at Laguna Gloria. The show features four abstract sculptures that are the outdoor debut of The Contemporary's HOST series, running from April 23, 2025, through January 17, 2027. Lit, who began her artistic reinvention after becoming a mother in 2020, creates dream-like figures inspired by meditation, using industrial materials like expanded polystyrene and Pal Tiya. The exhibition also includes a companion show at The Jones Center opening in September.