Artist Calls + Exhibition opportunities

Social Justice Grant

Application Open: January 30

Deadline: February 28, 11:59PM MT

Coming Soon!

Thanks to generous support from local philanthropists, we are opening a Social Justice Artist Grant – Call for Artists, supporting the creation of new visual work. The selected projects will receive between $2,000 and $5,000 ($20,750 in total funding) and will be featured in a small, curated traveling exhibition beginning in Telluride and moving through participating communities (maybe you!) in fall 2026.This opportunity is open to visual artists and collectives working in the region who are interested in creating new work that sparks dialogue, reflection, and connection. The traveling exhibition format is designed to give each project meaningful visibility and allow audiences in multiple communities to engage deeply with the work.

Creative Districts in the Southwest Colorado Creative District Network have been invited to support this program by sharing the call, connecting artists to the opportunity, participating in the review process, and amplifying the selected works as the exhibition travels, strengthening regional collaboration while keeping artists at the center of the program.

  • We are accepting applications from artists or collective lives in communities within the Southwest Colorado Creative District Network.

    This includes:

    • Carbondale Arts

    • Crested Butte Creative District / Center for the Arts

    • Durango Creative District

    • GJ Creates

    • Gunnison Creative District

    • Ignacio Creative District

    • Mancos Creative District

    • North Fork Valley Creative Coalition

    • Ridgway FUSE Creative Main Street

    • Silverton Creative District

    • Telluride Arts

    • Town of Ignacio

    • New visual work, single piece or series, addressing social justice themes (e.g., climate change, racial equity, reproductive rights, immigration, LGBTQ+ rights) For artists creating work that addresses inequities and inspires dialogue or action around issues such as race, gender, environment, or human rights.

    • Work may be 2D or 3D. The size, weight, and presentation must be practical for a curated regional rotating exhibit.

    • Highest standards of excellence in the final product.

    • Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and work effectively with others

    • Three artistic references, such as galleries, arts events, grantors, and collaborators

    • Demonstrated history of artistic expression or portfolio

    • Readiness to present work in a traveling exhibition context (artist need not be on site)

    • Commitment to public engagement (artist talk, reception, community dialogue)

  • The committee will review letters of interest and proposals and evaluate them against the established criteria.

    The final decision rests with the grant funders, who will chair the committee. The committee members will serve in an advisory capacity.

    • Proposal submission open to visual-artists and collectives: Thursday, January 29th, 2026 

    • Proposals Due: March 1, 2026 

    • Selection & Award: March 2026 — 5-20 awards (up to $5K awards)

    • Notifications sent to artists: End of March 2026

    • Funds dispersed to artists: Early April 2026

    • Creation & Production: – April through July 2026 — artist creates new work

    • Traveling Exhibition: August – Oct 2026 — show begins in Telluride, then travels through participating districts

  • Opening this opportunity across the Southwest Colorado Creative District Network allows artists to be part of a broader regional exchange rather than a single-location program. Working with Creative Districts helps:

    • expand the reach of the opportunity so artists across multiple communities can participate

    • create a stronger regional platform for socially engaged artwork

    • bring the traveling exhibition to new audiences and places, increasing visibility and dialogue around the work

    • provide local support and connection as the exhibition moves through different communities

    Creative Districts participate as partners and amplifiers, helping artists share their work more widely while keeping the focus on artistic voice, process, and impact.

  • Call or email us, to ensure you have the information you need, prior to submission.

    Phone: 970-728-3930

    Email: info@telluridearts.org

English Application Version:

Call for Artists: Makers Market

Application Deadline: Rolling Basis

Apply Here

Telluride Arts welcomes local and regional makers to take part in the Makers Market, a curated section inside Telluride Arts HQ dedicated to ceramics, jewelry, postcards, and other small handmade works.

The Makers Market is a new opportunity for artists to collectively showcase and sell their creations in our space. Each participant signs a two-month agreement, with the option to renew if they’d like to stay on. This program highlights the creativity and craftsmanship of our community while giving visitors a chance to discover and support local makers year-round.

  • Local and regional artists or makers who create small, handmade works such as ceramics, jewelry, postcards, prints, or similar goods. Fine art pieces (like large paintings or sculptures) are typically showcased through our exhibitions instead.

  • Simply complete the Makers Market Application Form and attach up to five images of your work. The Telluride Arts team will review your submission and follow up with next steps.

  • Each artist or maker signs a two-month agreement. After that period, participation can easily be renewed if there’s space available and both parties wish to continue.

  • Telluride Arts provides shelving and display space within the Makers Market area at HQ. Artists are welcome to bring small display elements that complement their work, pending staff approval.

  • All consigned artworks or products displayed during the exhibition period will be sold directly through Telluride Arts. In the event of a sale, payment to the artist will be processed within 14 business days.

    • Artist will receive 60% net sales [gross sales – less taxes and discounts offered by Artist]

    • Telluride Arts will retain 40% net sales [gross sales – less taxes and discounts offered by Artist]

  • Artists and makers set their own retail prices. Telluride Arts staff can provide guidance if needed to help align with comparable local offerings.

  • That’s great! You’re welcome to restock your display anytime during your two-month period, or we can discuss renewing your agreement for continued sales.

  • Absolutely. We encourage makers to share photos and tag @telluridearts on social media. Telluride Arts may also feature participating artists in newsletters, Art Walk promotions, and other marketing materials.

  • Call or email us, to ensure you have the information you need, prior to submission.

    Phone: 970-728-3930

    Email: info@telluridearts.org

English Application Version:

Convocatoria para Artistas: Makers Market

Fecha límite de solicitud: Según disponibilidad contínua

Aplica Aquí

Telluride Arts invita a artistas y creadores locales y regionales a participar en el Makers Market, una sección curada dentro del Telluride Arts HQ dedicada a cerámica, joyería, postales y otras piezas pequeñas hechas a mano.

El Makers Market es una nueva oportunidad para que los artistas exhiban y vendan colectivamente sus creaciones en nuestro espacio. Cada participante firma un acuerdo de dos meses, con la opción de renovarlo si desea continuar. Este programa destaca la creatividad y el talento artesanal de nuestra comunidad, al mismo tiempo que ofrece a los visitantes la oportunidad de descubrir y apoyar a los creadores locales durante todo el año.

  • Artistas o creadores locales y regionales que realicen piezas pequeñas y hechas a mano, como cerámica, joyería, postales, grabados u objetos similares.
    Las obras de arte de formato grande (como pinturas o esculturas) generalmente se presentan en nuestras exhibiciones.

  • Simplemente completa el Formulario de Aplicación para el Makers Market y adjunta hasta cinco imágenes de tu trabajo. El equipo de Telluride Arts revisará tu solicitud y te contactará con los siguientes pasos.

  • Cada artista o creador firma un acuerdo por un periodo de dos meses. Después de ese tiempo, la participación puede renovarse fácilmente si hay espacio disponible y ambas partes desean continuar.

  • Telluride Arts proporciona estanterías y espacio de exhibición dentro del área del Makers Market en el HQ.
    Los artistas pueden traer pequeños elementos de exhibición que complementen su trabajo, siempre con la aprobación previa del equipo de Telluride Arts.

  • Todas las obras o productos en consignación exhibidos durante el periodo de la muestra serán vendidos directamente a través de Telluride Arts. En caso de una venta, el pago al artista se procesará dentro de los 14 días hábiles.

    • El artista recibirá el 60% de las ventas netas [ventas brutas menos impuestos y descuentos ofrecidos por el artista].

    • Telluride Arts retendrá el 40% de las ventas netas [ventas brutas menos impuestos y descuentos ofrecidos por el artista].

  • Los artistas y creadores establecen sus propios precios de venta al público. El equipo de Telluride Arts puede ofrecer orientación si es necesario, para ayudar a que los precios se alineen con otras ofertas locales comparables.

  • ¡Eso es excelente! Puedes reabastecer tu espacio en la exhibición en cualquier momento durante tu periodo de dos meses, o bien, podemos conversar sobre la renovación de tu acuerdo para continuar con las ventas.

  • ¡Por supuesto! Animamos a los creadores a compartir fotos y etiquetar a @telluridearts en redes sociales.
    Telluride Arts también puede destacar a los artistas participantes en sus boletines, promociones del Art Walk y otros materiales de difusión.

  • Llámanos o envíanos un correo electrónico para asegurarte de tener toda la información necesaria antes de enviar tu solicitud.

    Teléfono: 970-728-3930
    Correo electrónico: info@telluridearts.org