Art opportunities designed for students and emerging artists
Find low-fee competitions, grants, scholarships, and student-friendly calls. We curate opportunities that won't break your budget and help you build your career without falling for pay-to-play scams.
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Find the right opportunities for your budget
We filter out expensive calls and highlight student-friendly opportunities
Free Entry Calls
No entry fees. Perfect for building your portfolio and gaining exhibition experience without financial risk.
Browse Free Calls →Low-Fee Calls
Entry fees under $25. Affordable opportunities that respect student budgets while offering real exposure.
Browse Low-Fee Calls →For Students
Financial support for students. Grants, scholarships, and awards that fund your art practice.
Browse For Students →Avoid pay-to-play scams
Not all calls are created equal. Many target students with high entry fees and minimal benefits. We help you identify legitimate opportunities worth your time and money.
Tips for Student Artists
Start with Free Calls
Build your portfolio with no-risk opportunities. Exhibition experience matters more than entry fees early in your career.
Calculate ROI
Entry fee ÷ prize value + exposure. If a call charges $50 with minimal exposure and no prize, skip it.
Read Terms Carefully
Never give away rights to your work. Avoid calls that require you to buy awards or publications.
Apply Strategically
Quality over quantity. 5 strong applications beat 20 rushed ones. Target calls aligned with your work.
Use Your Student Status
Many calls offer student discounts or student-specific categories. Take advantage while you can.
Track Everything
Use your artist dashboard to track applications, deadlines, and more.
Featured Opportunities Open Now
Real student-friendly calls currently accepting applications
51st Annual Juried University of Wyoming Student Exhibition
College student juried exhibition. 51-year tradition.
35th Annual High School Juried Show
High school students. Museum exhibition opportunity.
Grant for Visual Artists
Free to apply. $1,200 grant for visual artists.
Rising Eyes of Texas Juried Texas Collegiate Show 2026
Texas college students. Professional gallery exhibition.
Young Contemporaries 2026: 42nd Annual
42-year tradition. Student juried exhibition.
Virginia A. Groot Foundation Grant
Free to apply. Foundation grant for emerging artists.
Top Student & Emerging Artist Awards
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
America's longest-running recognition program for creative teens. $10M+ in scholarships awarded annually.
YoungArts
Cash awards up to $10,000. Winners invited to National YoungArts Week in Miami.
Doodle for Google
Free to enter. National winner receives $30,000 scholarship + tech package for their school.
Congressional Art Competition
Free to enter. Winning artwork displayed in U.S. Capitol for one year.
Free Resources for Student Artists
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there really free art calls for students?
Yes. EntryThingy features over 150 legitimate free art calls with no entry fees. These opportunities are funded by sponsors, grants, or galleries that take commission on sales instead of charging upfront fees.
How do I know if an art call is a scam?
Red flags include: entry fees over $50 with minimal prizes, requiring purchase of awards/publications, demanding exclusive rights to your work, no verifiable organization history, or pressure tactics. EntryThingy vets all listings and provides scam detection guides.
What is a reasonable entry fee for students?
For students, reasonable entry fees are $0-25. Anything over $25 should offer significant prizes or exposure. Calculate ROI: entry fee vs. prize value plus career benefit. Many student-specific calls offer discounted or free entry.
Can I use my student ID for discounts?
Many calls offer student discounts (typically 25-50% off). Look for "student rate" in the call description. You will need to provide proof of enrollment like a student ID or enrollment letter.
Are art grants and scholarships worth applying to?
Yes. Art grants and scholarships have high value relative to effort. A $2,000 grant for 2-3 hours of application work equals $667-1,000/hour. EntryThingy curates grant opportunities specifically for students and emerging artists.
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