Artist Opportunities

Call for Art: ART-SENAL of Democracy
Reflections of the Times

Deadline to submit October 23rd, 2026

Bridgeport Arts & Cultural Council is seeking powerful, thought-provoking artwork for “ART-SENAL OF DEMOCRACY” - Reflections of the Times.

A pop up exhibition in Downtown Bridgeport during the 2026 Bridgeport Art Trail inspired by Nina Simone’s belief that an artist’s duty is to reflect the times. All visual art mediums welcome (No generative Ai-based work will be considered)

YOUR VOICE. YOUR PERSPECTIVE. OUR TIMES.

Artists are invited to submit work in any medium including paintings, photography, three dimensional & sculpture that speaks to: Explore themes of Democracy • Freedom • Identity • Justice • Power • Resistance • Belonging • Community • Hope • Change

  • Must be a Connecticut based artist

    Three piece submission limit per artist for review
    **Must be wired and ready to hang
    BACC will take a 5% Commission for any pieces sold while on display**
    **There is no guarantee of sales.**

  • For more information and to submit use this Google form:
    https://forms.gle/eywhhi6q2eBY64Kv7

    If you have any trouble with this form, please send submissions via email to Bptartscouncil@gmail.com with the subject line: Submission – ArtSenal of Democracy

  • Submission Deadline: October 23, 2026 by 11:59 PM

    • Notification of Acceptance: October 28, 2026

    • Drop off date(s): November 2nd - 4th

    • Exhibition Date(s): November 6th - 8th during the Bridgeport Art Trail

    • Pick up date(s) TBD

Call for Art:
CT State Housatonic

Deadline to submit December 15, 2026

The Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) and the Housatonic Museum of Art are currently seeking to purchase artwork by Connecticut and tri-state regional artists for Beacon Hall at CT State Community College Housatonic in Bridgeport, CT. The committee is considering two-dimensional wall mounted works of art that are not light-sensitive (i.e., works on paper and certain textiles). Interior sculptural works may be considered. 

See full details and submission portal here.

  • Regional artists may submit up to six (6) images of works of art that are currently available for purchase. The Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) is accepting submissions electronically through this Call for Entry site and submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

    Artists must be able to complete a W9 and enter into a contract with the State of Connecticut for the purchase of the artwork. Contracts can only be administered with an artist. Contracts cannot be issued with a gallery representing the artist, an estate, a non-profit, etc. 

    Artists from the following counties may submit art for consideration.

    • Connecticut - all counties

    • New York - Westchester, Bronx, New York, Queens, Kings, Nassau, Richmond, Rockland, Putnam, and Suffolk 

    • New Jersey - Bergen, Hudson

  • The committee has outlined several qualities and characteristics they hope to achieve through these acquisitions. Artworks with two or more of these characteristics are strongly encouraged:

     

    ·         Extends the Housatonic Museum of Art collection into the 21st century, especially through digital art, experimental processes, and forward-thinking frameworks.

    ·         Serves as a teaching tool for CT State Housatonic programs 

    ·         Represents experiences of the Bridgeport and Fairfield County communities

    ·         Creates a pleasing environment that encourages a positive and welcoming experience 

    ·         Promotes community collaboration, especially with students, faculty and staff on campus

     

    The Housatonic Museum of Art encourages connection between community college students and artists. Artists who are available to present their work as part of classroom learning opportunities, public presentations, and/or panel conversations after the work is acquired would be of strong interest to the committee.  

  • For FULL application details and to access submission portal, follow this link.

Call for Art:
State Office Building, 165 Capitol Avenue

Deadline to submit January 15, 2027

The Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) is currently seeking artwork by Connecticut artists for the interior of the State Office Building at 165 Capitol Avenue in Hartford, Connecticut.  A budget of up to $525,000 is available to purchase a wide range of art by several artists.

The project aims to acquire art for the interior that will be displayed on a rotating basis throughout the building. The interior acquisitions may serve as wayfinding and will be installed in hallways, lobbies, and conference rooms. The goal is to bring vibrancy and a range of styles and mediums into the building with artwork that is rooted in Connecticut identity. Traditional landscapes, portraiture, abstract works and a range of mediums such as paintings, prints, textiles, etc. will all be considered. Two-dimensional work will be the focus, but the project may be able to accommodate a small number of interior sculptural pieces. 

See full application details and submission portal here.

  • Artists who are residents of Connecticut

    Artists must be able to complete a W9 with a Connecticut residential address and enter into a contract with the State of Connecticut for the purchase of the artwork. Contracts can only be administered with an artist. Contracts cannot be issued with a gallery representing the artist, an estate, a non-profit, etc.

  • Artists may submit up to six (6) images of available art for purchase.  

    The selection committee will review submissions on a rolling basis and will begin the review soon after the Call for Art is posted. COA will contact artists who are selected by the committee for further review and consideration and additional art may be requested and reviewed. 

    Artwork does not need to be framed to be consider for purchase. Please make a note of the framing status within the submission. 

    Artists are not required to 'hold' these pieces. We do not want you to miss out on other opportunities for the sale/exhibit of your work. The committee has been made aware that submitted artwork may be available for sale or exhibit elsewhere. If a submitted artwork is no longer available then please reach out to Tamara Dimitri by email so we can remove it from the review. We will move through the review as quickly as possible, but we anticipate the rolling review over a few months.  

  • For FULL application details and to access submission portal, follow this link.