-9th Annual Cape Girardeau Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition

$ City of Lansing Mini Pocket Grants 

$ Inspire! Grants for Small Museums

$ Arts Midwest Shakespeare in American Communities

$ NEA Creative Forces Community Engagement Grants

$ Barbara Deming Memorial Fund: Money for Women

$ Adolph & Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant Program

$ The Hopper Prize

$ Black Artist Fund (ongoing)

The City of Lansing and the Arts Council Greater Lansing announce the Arts Impact Project Pitch Panel. The Arts Impact Project is a "pitch-style" event, in which interested parties can share their creative impact idea with the Arts Impact panel. The creative impact idea can be any project to elevate and showcase the artistic excellence in the City of Lansing, such as a mural festival, a community tile project, or an iconic sculpture (all previous Impact projects). One award of $75,000 will be made to an individual, group of creatives, arts organization or non-profit organization for a large scale, high impact arts project to be completed within the City of Lansing. The event will be held at MICA Gallery in Old Town Lansing on Dec. 8, 2021, from 5 - 7 p.m. Learn more.

Meijer, the Midwest retailer, is looking to feature artwork from local creatives on an upcoming line of limited-edition merchandise, including stationery, home décor and more. Specifically, the retailer is looking for locally-inspired artwork, as well as art that celebrates the following cultural events:  Black History Month; Women’s History Month; Pride Month; and Hispanic Heritage Month. Artwork must be submitted online by Nov. 7, 2021. Selected artists will receive a monetary prize and will work with Meijer to identify nonprofit organizations that will benefit from a portion of sales of the collection. Learn more.

IQhub of St. Johns, Michigan, announces call for artists for "Art Explosion." A very special guest exhibition will be coming to the IQhub in November. The exhibition will run from Nov. 30, 2021, through Feb. 24, 2022, with special events each month. Local artists are invited to display their works. All mediums are accepted on a first come, first served basis as space allows, including paintings, pottery, drawings, wood carvings, metal sculpture, photography and jewelry. Entries may be listed for sale. Application deadline is Nov. 9, 2021. Learn more.

The City of Cape Girardeau Public Art Committee, in collaboration with the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, is currently searching for applicants for the 9th Annual Cape Girardeau Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition! The exhibition spans the Broadway Corridor, a nine-block span in historic downtown Cape Girardeau, Missouri. This area is home to locally-owned businesses that bring flavor and matchless experiences. Places such as City Hall, The Federal Courthouse, Southeast Missouri State University, the Marquette Tech District and Media Row are also found in Cape Girardeau’s downtown. Application deadline is Dec. 8, 2021. Learn more.

Artless Bastard Gallery, Inc. in De Pere, Wisconsin announces a call to artists for its upcoming art exhibition, "Critters: a living thing that is not human," to be held on Dec. 9, 2021 - Jan. 15, 2022. Best in Show $100 prize. All artwork accepted except performance art. If you have a question please reach out to the gallery before submitting. Submission fee of $20 for one piece is required. Submission deadline: Nov. 19, 2021. Learn more. 

The Chateau Gallery in Louisville, Kentucky announces a call to artists for its upcoming art exhibition, "The Uncanny," to be held Dec. 17, 2021 - Feb. 1, 2022. Open to artists age 18 and older. Original 2-D artworks created through the media of painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, assemblage, collage and mixed media will be considered. All submissions require a $20 entry fee. Application deadline is Dec. 1, 2021. Learn more.

University of North Carolina Asheville announces a call to artists for its 13th annual exhibition of contemporary drawing juried art exhibition. "Drawing Discourse" will be held Jan. 14 - Feb. 11, 2022, at S. Tucker Cooke Gallery. A total of $2000 in cash awards and a purchase prize will be given. Additionally, a full-color catalogue will be produced. In an effort to support the breadth in contemporary drawing, media is open to any traditional or experimental drawing media welcoming both two or three-dimensional works, video and/or installation as long as it can fit through a doorway opening that measures 67" width x 117" height. A submission fee of $30 for one image, $5 for each additional image is required. Application deadline is Dec. 12, 2021. Learn more.

Creative Capital presents, "Inside a Grant or Residency Panel Process." This mock panel-room conversation provides an inside look at the selection process for artist grants and provides tips for bolster your next application.

Get an inside look at what panelists look for and consider when reviewing grant applications. Taking the form of a mock panel-room conversation, the group will review project descriptions and work samples from real applications to provide honest feedback and advice, with time for questions from the audience. This panel will be led by Creative Capital Awardee James Scruggs, and will feature awardee and filmmaker Rodrigo Reyes and Joan Mitchell Center Director, Toccarra Thomas, all of whom will offer their perspectives and panel experience. This event is happening Nov. 4, 2021, (tomorrow) from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. EST. Learn more.

517 Living presents "Virtual Q&A: Using 517 Living to Connect with Your Community" on Nov. 15, 2021, from 10:00 - 10:30 a.m. Have questions about 517 Living? Get them answered, straight from the source. Join Sarah Pierce, owner and founder of 517 Living, in a virtual Q&A session, for live tutorials, clarification and advice, regarding any and all 517 Living platforms. Learn more.

Artwork Archive blog: "A Tax Expert's Advice on How To Avoid Stress During Tax Season," by creative business tax expert Hannah Cole. Excerpt: "As the end of the year draws close, it’s a good time to take a look at the business side of your art practice. Organizing your practice doesn’t need to be hard—and it can really help it run smoothly, keep your admin time down so you can be in the studio more, and keep you well protected if the IRS sends you one of those heart-sinking letters. So grab a pen, and let's get organized." Read more.

Forbes Nonprofit article: "12 Practical Steps A Nonprofit Can Take To Diversify Its Board," by Forbes council members. Excerpt: "Every business can benefit from having a diverse group of leaders on its board. However, it can be difficult for many organizations to achieve this, especially when it's a niche or nonprofit organization. If you're leading a nonprofit organization that's lacking in diversity, there are several ways to attract more diverse leaders. Here, 12 members of Forbes Nonprofit Council share the most practical steps a nonprofit can take to diversify the group of leaders on its board." Read more.

Arts Night Out 2022 dates coming soon!

Arts Midwest is seeking a diverse mix of art professionals and knowledgeable laypersons from across the United States for three panels: NEA Big Read; Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools; and Shakespeare in American Communities: Juvenile Justice. 

If you’re interested in providing input and guiding our grant selection process for these community and education-focused programs, this opportunity could be perfect for you! Details at-a-glance: One year term, 24-hour (cumulative) commitment; $500 honorarium; Networking opportunities; Submit the application form by December 31, 2021. Learn more.

Saper Galleries is seeking a professional picture framer who demonstrates the highest level of quality, proven dedication to excellence, and demonstrated competence in all tasks related to picture framing. Must be an excellent communicator, intelligent, personable, friendly, reliable, responsible, hard-worker and have work history and references that are very positive. Preference for a college graduate in the fine arts with experience in quality work with the hands. Learn more.

If you have a call to artists, a position or internship opening or are looking for volunteers, please let us know. Email the Arts Council at dawn@lansingarts.org to list your opportunity in our next Creative Connection. And please SHARE YOUR PHOTOS with us! We are always looking for photos of creative connections to add to this newsletter. Tell us what you are up to, and we will let everyone know. (Photo by Jena Hovey of McShane Photography)