Open Calls for Artists in California
Find open calls, exhibitions, grants, and residencies for photographers and visual artists in California. Browse and apply today.
Bay Area Photography Open Exhibition 2026 · The Image Flow
The Image Flow (Mill Valley) 2nd annual juried exhibition for 9-county SF Bay Area photographers. Jurors: Ann Jastrab, Nelson Chan, and Image Flow staff.
Light/Shadow · Fig Tree Gallery
Fig Tree Gallery's all-media take on light and shadow — open to California artists, with photo and digital work printed on permanent media.
Summer Open Juried Exhibition · West Portal Gallery
Bay Area open juried summer show at San Francisco's West Portal Gallery — all media including photography; show runs Aug 28–Oct 1.
63rd Stockton Art League Juried Exhibition
National juried show at the Haggin Museum, juried by a Crocker Art Museum curator — $1,000 Best of Show; photography eligible.
AFC Nature Photography Contest 2026
Free Southern California nature contest from a Pasadena land trust — 7 categories, winners printed and shown at a public awards event.
SCA Open 2026
Statewide California open juried show with an SFMOMA curator on the jury — photography eligible; show Oct 30–Dec 6.
Recology San Francisco Artist-in-Residence Program 2027
Four-month residency at SF's recycling center — artists make work from discarded materials. Monthly stipend, studio access. Bay Area only.
Point of Hue · Ashton Gallery @ Art on 30th
Color-themed national juried show at San Diego's Art on 30th — $1,000 in awards plus catalog; photography explicitly eligible.
60th National Mother Lode Art Exhibition · Placerville Arts Association
60th edition of this national juried exhibition near Sacramento — $4,250+ in awards, $700 Best of Show; photography eligible.
Photo of the Season — You Can't Be Serious · The Image Flow
Seasonal competition for off-kilter, playful images. $150 first prize. The Image Flow gallery, San Anselmo, CA.
Lucie Foundation Scholarship Program 2026
Four cash grants for Fine Art and Documentary photographers (pro and emerging). Winners tour House of Lucie galleries worldwide.
SCG Artist in Residence & Teaching Program 2027 — Regional · Blue Line Arts
$10,000 three-week teaching residency at Blue Line Arts for Northern California artists (six-county region).
CPA International Juried Exhibition 2026 · Center for Photographic Art
Annual CPA international juried show in Carmel. 45 photos selected, 8 cash awards over $6,000. Any subject; AI not accepted.
Lucid Art Residency 2027
Three weeks at Point Reyes with house and Ark studio for US/Canadian artists working nonrepresentationally.
SCG Artist in Residence & Teaching Program 2027 — National · Blue Line Arts
$10,000 three-week teaching residency at Blue Line Arts (CA) with housing and travel covered. US artists nationwide.