Arty Parties: Your Guide to September's First Friday in Denver

Denver’s art scene is preparing for a busy spring and summer season with a series of exhibition openings, market events, and institutional announcements. Key highlights include the selection of six fellows for the 2026 Clyfford Still Museum Institute Residential Fellowship, a nationwide open call for the Dairy Arts Center’s 2027 season, and several new gallery shows featuring artists such as Stacey Steers, Kim Dickey, and Deanne Gertner. Local advocacy is also in focus as the RiNo Art District supports Colorado Senate Bill 26-133, which aims to establish a formal legal structure for artist-led companies.

Cultural Affairs Bureau announces the selection results of the “Local Curatorial Project” of the “Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2025”

The Cultural Affairs Bureau of Macao has announced the six exhibition proposals selected for the "Local Curatorial Project" of "Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2025." Chosen from 34 submissions by a panel including chief curator Feng Boyi, Wang Xiaosong, Song Dong, Marcel Feil, and Van Pou Lon, the winning proposals are: "Genetic Duration" (curated by Ung Vai Meng), "After Oriental Garden" (Cheong Weng Lam), "The Sea of Languages: Macao Language Research Program" (He Yan Jun and Zhang Ke), "A Speakable Position for Women" (Cheong Cheng Wa and Wang Jing), "Beneath the Wetware Peninsula" (Daisy Di Wang and Wong Mei Teng), and "Jacone's Tower" (Feng Yan and Ng Sio Ieng). These exhibitions will be part of the biennale and will also be shortlisted for the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia – Collateral Event from Macao, China.

BOX 13 ArtSpace in Houston Announces Open Call for Exhibition Proposals

BOX 13 ArtSpace, an artist-run studio and gallery venue in Houston’s East End neighborhood, has announced an open call for exhibition proposals for its 2026 season. The call invites self-directed artists to submit proposals for four gallery spaces within the building: the Front Gallery, Back Gallery, Window BOX Gallery, and Upstairs Gallery. Applicants must be prepared to install their own work or arrange for local assistance, as the space has no staff or budget for shipping, travel, or equipment. The deadline for proposals is September 30, 2025, with notifications by October 28, 2025. Virtual and in-person information sessions are scheduled for September 17 and 20, respectively.

Austin Library Accepting 2026-2027 Exhibition Proposals from Texas Artists

The Austin Central Library has issued an open call for exhibition proposals from Texas-based artists, collectives, curators, and creatives for its fall 2026 and spring 2027 seasons. Selected works will be displayed in the library’s 2,700-square-foot gallery for 12-week periods, with opportunities for artists to lead workshops or demonstrations. Applications are due by August 31, 2025, and will be reviewed by juries of local artists, curators, educators, and community leaders, with selected applicants announced in fall 2025.

LHUCA Launches Open Call for 2026 Exhibition Proposals

The Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts (LHUCA) in Lubbock, Texas, has launched an open call for exhibition proposals for its 2026 season. Individual artists, artist groups, and curators are invited to submit proposals across all visual media, including painting, sculpture, digital art, and video. Proposals must be submitted as a single PDF by September 1, 2025, to curator Taylor Ernst, with exhibitions running for two months and opening during the First Friday Art Trail, which draws over 5,000 attendees monthly.

Cultural Affairs Bureau calls for exhibition proposals for the Collateral Exhibitions of “Art Macao”

The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) of the Macao SAR Government has issued an open call for exhibition proposals for the Collateral Exhibitions of "Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2025." Local contemporary art professionals and organizations are invited to submit proposals for exhibitions that will run between July 19 and October 12, 2025, with venues chosen by the selected teams. The deadline for submissions is May 23, 2025, and proposals will be evaluated by Chief Curator Feng Boyi based on curatorial concept, quality, theme relevance, and feasibility.

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.

Apply for an exhibition in 2027 in Tampere [City of Tampere]

Apply for an exhibition in 2027 in Tampere [City of Tampere]

The Public Cultural Services of the City of Tampere has opened a call for exhibition proposals for its Culture House Laikku and Haihara Art Centre venues for the year 2027. Applications are being accepted from February 4 to March 23, 2026, with specific spaces targeting professional contemporary artists, visual culture groups, associations, and community-focused projects.

IC seeks exhibition proposals for ‘Art Macao 2025’

The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) of Macau has issued an open call for exhibition proposals for the Collateral Exhibitions of 'Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2025'. Eligible applicants include Macau residents aged 18 or above, higher education institutions, commercial enterprises, and community associations registered in Macau. Proposals must be submitted by May 23, with exhibitions running between July 19 and October 12 for at least two weeks. Chief Curator Feng Boyi will evaluate proposals based on curatorial concept, quality, thematic relevance, and feasibility. The biennale is themed 'Hey, what brings you here?' and includes six sections, with a separate open call for the Local Curatorial Project closing on the same day.

Open Call for Exhibition Proposals for Collateral Exhibition of “Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2025”

The Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government has issued an open call for exhibition proposals for the Collateral Exhibition of “Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2025.” The biennale, guided by the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture and co-organized by major casino and resort groups, will feature six sections including the Main Exhibition, Public Art Exhibition, City Pavilion, Special Exhibition, Local Curatorial Project, and Collateral Exhibition. Eligible applicants include Macao-registered organizations and residents aged 18 or older, with proposals centered on the theme “Hey, what brings you here?” The deadline for submissions is May 23, 2025, and the final selection will be made by chief curator Feng Boyi.