STEP-UP ART PROGRAM CALL FOR ARTISTS:
The Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition (OVAC) and Allied Arts invite visual artists and artist collectives residing or working in central Oklahoma or rural communities whose works are culturally or historically relevant to Oklahoma and appeal to a broad audience to submit proposals for consideration for the 2027 Step-Up Art Program.
ABOUT ALLIED ARTS:
Allied Arts is a central Oklahoma nonprofit that strengthens the arts and cultural sector through fundraising, advocacy, and community engagement. By providing grants and support to dozens of local arts organizations, Allied Arts helps ensure that creativity and cultural experiences remain accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds.
ABOUT THE STEP-UP ART PROGRAM:
Since 2016, Allied Arts has commissioned local artists to create original works, which are gifted to donors who contribute $200 or more to Workplace Giving drives that support its annual fundraising campaigns.
The program not only recognizes donor generosity but also provides meaningful promotional and income opportunities for local artists, connecting philanthropy with creativity in inspiring ways.
PROJECT SCOPE:
The selected artist(s) will be commissioned to create between 800 – 1,500 original, hand-signed 2D or 3D display-ready artworks. Artist(s) will receive up to $25 per piece in compensation, to be determined by the final scope of the project.
Artist(s) will collaborate closely with OVAC and Allied Arts to develop and finalize the artwork concept, ensuring alignment with the program goals.
The commissioned artwork will be created exclusively for the Step-Up Art Program and will remain unique to the 2027 campaign throughout its duration. Artist(s) must agree not to sell or distribute the commissioned artwork, or artwork substantially similar in concept or design, to outside buyers until the campaign concludes.
Artwork delivery schedules will be mutually agreed upon by the artist(s), OVAC, and Allied Arts during the contracting phase.
In addition to financial compensation, the selected artist(s) will gain significant visibility and promotional opportunities, including media coverage, public recognition, and speaking engagements to share their creative process and connect with donors.
PROGRAM TIMELINE:
December 5, 2025 - Call for Artists Opens
December 17 at 11:30AM- Info Session for interested artists via Zoom
January 25, 2026 - Call for Artists Closes
February/March 2026 - Artist(s) Selection Phase
March/April 2026 - Artist(s) Contracting Phase
June 2026 - Step-Up Artist(s) announced at the 2026 Allied Arts Campaign Celebration
November 2026 - Step-Up Artist(s) presentation at Allied Arts Workplace Giving Coordinators Event & Artwork Delivery/Distribution Begins
January 2027 - Allied Arts Fundraising Campaign Kick-Off Event
SELECTION PROCESS:
Artists will be selected based on 3 criteria: artistic quality and originality, audience engagement, and professional experience and project feasibility.
- The artwork should demonstrate relevance to the program's mission through quality craftsmanship and originality, strong cultural and/or historical relevance to Oklahoma, and universal appeal to a broad audience.
- An ideal applicant demonstrates the ability to effectively engage audiences, speak about their work, and share their artistic process or inspiration.
- The proposed artwork concept is should be clear, thoughtful, and well-presented. An ideal application will demonstrate the artist’s ability and experience to successfully complete large-scale projects within the program’s scope and timeline.
QUESTIONS:
Contact OVAC's Administrative & Artist Relations Manager at ariana@ovac-ok.org
OVAC ART CRIT NIGHT: Call for artists
Oklahoma visual artists are invited to submit an application to be considered to participate in the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition's next Art Crit Night event. Our next event will take place at Oklahoma Contemporary located in Oklahoma City on January 21, 2026. Participating artists will have the opportunity to present their work, receive feedback, and connect with the community. Participation in Art Crit Night is free and selected artists receive a $100 honorarium.
MORE ABOUT THE EVENT:
Our goal is to support and strengthen the work of every artist that participates, as well as to promote critical dialogue among the community members that attend. All participants must be open to the critique process, as that is the foundation of these events. The process will include presenting your work, receiving feedback from the curator/facilitator framed in a spirit of positivity and desire to help you progress in your practice, and receiving comments from the audience as these events will be open to the art community in an effort to increase critical dialogue.
The artists selected for Art Crit Night will share their work in person at Oklahoma Contemporary. We will broadcast images or videos of the work via a projector for the audience to see. Quality documentation is important and detail shots can help showcase every aspect of the work. We may also be able to accommodate smaller physical artworks as well. Performance pieces must be shared via video documentation. Artists can also share their website or other materials (i.e. residency application, artist statement) if they want the critique to focus on those materials rather than the body of work.
APPLICATION COMPONENTS:
__ Artist Statement
__ Artist Bio
__ Goal for critique
__ Artwork samples
TIMELINE:
December 1 - Applications Open
December 22 - Applications Close
January 2 - Artists notified
January 21 - Art Crit Night event at Oklahoma Contemporary
QUESTIONS:
Questions are encouraged! Please contact ariana@ovac-ok.org.
MOMENTUM 2026: CALL FOR SURVEY ARTISTS
Artists ages 18–30 are invited to submit work for MOMENTUM 2026, the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition’s (OVAC) interactive, multidisciplinary event celebrating its 25th year.
ELIGIBILITY:
MOMENTUM is open to artists ages 18-30 who live and work in Oklahoma, or who have a permanent address in Oklahoma. Performance artists, filmmakers, installation, 2D, and 3D artists are all encouraged to. Submissions must have been created in the last two years and may not have been exhibited in previous MOMENTUM exhibitions.
Applicants must be OVAC members to apply. Membership benefits include access to OVAC's members' only resources, inclusion in OVAC's online Artist Gallery, discount for ASK workshops, entry fees waived for OVAC opportunities, and more. Student memberships are $25 per year and individual memberships are $45 per year. Join OVAC today.
SUBMISSIONS:
Applicants may submit up to three works to be considered for MOMENTUM (e.g., if you submit one performance art proposal, you could also submit two paintings)
2D or 3D Art: You may include up to two images of each piece you are submitting. Please only submit a second image if you need to show an additional view or detail.
Did you know OVAC offers a bi-monthly Photography Studio for artists? Click here to learn more and sign up.
Performance Art: Submit a brief, written proposal describing the performance, including length and preferred performance space. Include any support materials to illustrate your proposal, such as images of past performances, sketches, videos, etc. Any special equipment must be provided by the artist.
Installations: Submit a brief, written proposal for installations. Include any support materials to illustrate your proposal, such as images of past related artworks, sketches, etc. Any special equipment must be provided by the artist.
Film/Video: Submit a URL that links directly to the video. Include a brief written summary of the video including length. Short films are preferred. Artist must provide equipment for screening all film/video works.
Label all uploaded documents and images with your Last name and the Artwork Title with no special characters of spaces in the file names. (Ex: SmithUntitled1) Images must be jpegs.
TIMELINE:
Oct 1 - General Survey Applications Open
Jan 5 - General Survey Applications Due
Jan 23 - General Survey Artists notified
March 27-28 - MOMENTUM at The Yale Theater in Oklahoma City
AWARDS:
Cash prizes may be selected for $400 Curator’s Choice and $200 Emerging Curator Choice awards. Additionally, a $200 Viewer’s Choice Award is voted by the audience during the event. Artists selected for awards will be notified during the event.
OTHER DETAILS:
OVAC is not responsible, at any time, for the loss, damage, or theft of artwork. Artists are encouraged to carry their own insurance policies. Submission of artwork constitutes an agreement on the part of the artist to the conditions set forth in this prospectus and shall further include permission to reproduce work for publication. Selected artwork must come presentation ready (i.e., framed with wire or d-rings, ready-to-display). Curators reserve the right to refuse works that differ from those submitted or are deemed not presentation-ready. Artists are responsible for the delivery and post-event pick-up of their work. OVAC will retain a 30% commission on all works sold at the event.
Late or incomplete entries will not be accepted.
QUESTIONS:
Questions are encouraged! Please contact ariana@ovac-ok.org.
GRANTS FOR ARTISTS: call for applications
The Grants for Artists program fosters Oklahoma’s visual artistic creative excellence. The grants committee supports the mission of OVAC and scores submissions based on the merit of each application according to the pertinent grant category and its associated criteria.Grants for Artists help individual Oklahoma artists create visual art for public presentation, develop their professional practices, and lead community projects.Grants are open to artists working in visual-based mediums, curation, and art writing.
Applications are reviewed three times throughout the year and are due by 11:59 pm on January 15th, or March 15th, or October 15th.
Education Assistance grants fund up to $500 and are for educational opportunities such as: conferences, residencies, studio workshops, or study trips and can includes travel fees. Applications are evaluated by measuring the quality of educational opportunity, potential impact on practice/career, ability to complete project, and relevance based on portfolio.
ELIGIBILITY:
Eligible artists must be 21 years or older, not currently enrolled in a BFA or MFA program, Oklahoma residents, and must not have received grant funding from OVAC within the past year.
APPLICATION COMPONENTS:
__Completed application form below
__Artist Resume or CV
__Artist/Writer/Curator Statement (250 words)
__5-10 Artwork samples or URL for video artwork. For video, include up to 3 minutes total
__Image list, and if applicable, include file name, medium, date, and dimensions
__Timeline identifying major milestones to completion
__Balanced Budget, meaning expenses are equal to income
TIMELINE:
- Applications must be received by January 15th, March 15th, or October 15th
- Committee will review applications following the deadline
- You will be notified of our decision within 4 weeks of the deadline
- Accepted applicants will receive payment approximately 2 weeks after being notified and submitting paperwork
- Grant projects must occur after grant is awarded and within one year of receiving grant funds
QUESTIONS:
Questions are encouraged! Please contact ariana@ovac-ok.org.
GRANTS FOR ARTISTS: call for applications
The Grants for Artists program fosters Oklahoma’s visual artistic creative excellence. The grants committee supports the mission of OVAC and scores submissions based on the merit of each application according to the pertinent grant category and its associated criteria.Grants for Artists help individual Oklahoma artists create visual art for public presentation, develop their professional practices, and lead community projects.Grants are open to artists working in visual-based mediums, curation, and art writing.
Applications are reviewed three times throughout the year and are due by 11:59 pm on January 15th, March 15th, or October 15th.
Professional Basics grants fund up to $500 and are for the essentials of an art practice such as quality artwork samples, display/framing, shipping, travel to professional events, website development, etc. Applications are evaluated by measuring the quality of the proposed project, ability to complete project, and relevance based on portfolio.
ELIGIBILITY:
Eligible artists must be 21 years or older, not currently enrolled in a BFA or MFA program, Oklahoma residents, and must not have received grant funding from OVAC within the past year.
APPLICATION COMPONENTS:
__Completed application form below
__Artist Resume or CV
__Artist/Writer/Curator Statement (250 words)
__5-10 Artwork samples or URL for video artwork. For video, include up to 3 minutes total
__Image list, and if applicable, include file name, medium, date, and dimensions
__Timeline identifying major milestones to completion
__Balanced Budget, meaning expenses are equal to income
__Secured or potential venues
TIMELINE:
- Applications must be received by January 15th, March 15th, or October 15th
- Committee will review applications following the deadline
- You will be notified of our decision within 4 weeks of the deadline
- Accepted applicants will receive payment approximately 2 weeks after being notified and submitting paperwork
- Grant projects must occur after grant is awarded and within one year of receiving grant funds
QUESTIONS:
Questions are encouraged! Please contact ariana@ovac-ok.org.
GRANTS FOR ARTISTS: call for applications
The Grants for Artists program fosters Oklahoma’s visual artistic creative excellence. The grants committee supports the mission of OVAC and scores submissions based on the merit of each application according to the pertinent grant category and its associated criteria.Grants for Artists help individual Oklahoma artists create visual art for public presentation, develop their professional practices, and lead community projects.Grants are open to artists working in visual-based mediums, curation, and art writing.
Applications are reviewed twice throughout the year and are due by 11:59 pm on October 15th or March 15th.
Community / Artist Partnership grants fund up to $1500 and are for initiating community-based projects leading to artwork creation. Applications are evaluated by measuring quality of work, community impact, concept, and ability to complete project.
ELIGIBILITY:
Eligible artists must be 21 years or older, not currently enrolled in a BFA or MFA program, Oklahoma residents, and must not have received grant funding from OVAC within the past year.
APPLICATIONS COMPONENTS:
__Completed application form below
__Artist Resume/CV
__Artist/Writer/Curator Statement (250 words)
__10-15 Artwork samples or URL for video artwork (work samples can include artwork, sketches or concept drawing, writing samples, documentation of curatorial projects, or other relevant work). Please keep video samples to 3-5 minutes.
__Artwork sample list (to identify your images)
__Sketches or concept drawing (optional but encouraged)
__Balanced Budget (income = expenses)
__Timeline identifying major milestones to completion
__Secured or potential venues
TIMELINE:
- Applications must be received by March 15th or October 15th
- Committee will review applications following the deadline
- You will be notified of our decision within 4 weeks of the deadline
- Accepted applicants will receive payment approximately 2 weeks after being notified and submitting paperwork
- Grant projects must occur after grant is awarded and within one year of receiving grant funds
QUESTIONS:
Questions are encouraged! Please contact ariana@ovac-ok.org.
GRANTS FOR ARTISTS: call for applications
The Grants for Artists program fosters Oklahoma’s visual artistic creative excellence. The grants committee supports the mission of OVAC and scores submissions based on the merit of each application according to the pertinent grant category and its associated criteria.Grants for Artists help individual Oklahoma artists create visual art for public presentation, develop their professional practices, and lead community projects.Grants are open to artists working in visual-based mediums, curation, and art writing.
Applications are reviewed twice throughout the year and are due by 11:59 pm on October 15th or March 15th.
Creative Projects grants fund up to $1500 and are for creating new work that will culminate in a public event focused on artist’s own work. Applications are evaluated by measuring career altering potential, quality of work, concept, and ability to complete project.
ELIGIBILITY
Eligible artists must be 21 years or older, not currently enrolled in a BFA or MFA program, Oklahoma residents, and must not have received grant funding from OVAC within the past year.
APPLICATION COMPONENTS:
__Completed application form below
__Artist Resume/CV
__Artist/Writer/Curator Statement (250 words)
__10-15 Artwork samples or URL for video artwork (work samples can include artwork, sketches or concept drawing, writing samples, documentation of curatorial projects, or other relevant work). Please keep video samples limited to 3-5 minutes)
__Artwork sample list (to identify your images)
__Sketches or concept drawing (optional but encouraged)
__Balanced Budget (income = expenses)
__Timeline identifying major milestones to completion
__Secured or potential venues
TIMELINE
- Applications must be received by March 15th or October 15th
- Committee will review applications following the deadline
- You will be notified of our decision within 4 weeks of the deadline
- Accepted applicants will receive payment approximately 2 weeks after being notified and submitting paperwork
- Grant projects must occur after grant is awarded and within one year of receiving grant funds
QUESTIONS:
Questions are encouraged! Please contact ariana@ovac-ok.org.
Do you have a large, public project you want to launch, but need some funds to make it happen? A fiscal sponsorship from OVAC allows you to use our 501(c)(3) status to solicit donations giving your donors the benefit of a tax receipt and allows you to apply for grants that require a 501(c)(3) status. After reviewing the FAQ below, reach out to us to see if your project qualifies!
FAQs:
What is fiscal sponsorship?
Fiscal sponsorship allows an individual or group to use OVAC’s 501(c)(3) status to solicit donations, giving the donors the benefit of receiving a tax receipt for their donation as it goes through OVAC. It also allows the individual or group to apply for some grants that require backing from a nonprofit organization.
What is the difference between a grant and fiscal sponsorship?
Fiscal sponsorship is not a funding program. Instead, it enables individual artists and artist-run organizations to use OVAC’s charitable 501(c)(3) status to raise tax-deductible money through grants and individual contributions.
Grants, on the other hand, are monetary awards to individuals.
What kind of projects qualify?
All projects must align with OVAC’s mission of supporting Oklahoma’s visual arts and artists and their power to enrich communities. Fiscal sponsorship is only for a specific project and is not intended to last indefinitely to support an artist’s career. Fiscally sponsored projects must benefit the public in some way. That could include a subject screening, exhibition, performance or talk, exploring an issue, or otherwise offering an opportunity for an underrepresented group of people. Because donations to fiscally sponsored projects are tax-deductible, projects must add value to the public sphere and not only benefit the artist’s private gain.
Can I keep an artist’s fee from the amount fundraised?
Yes, we believe in paying artists for their work! We expect for you to include an artist’s fee in your budget. As a guideline, project managers generally don’t get paid more than 20% of the budget, yet it varies from project to project.
Is there a cost?
All applicants must be a current OVAC member. OVAC retains a 4% administration fee of the funds raised.
Will OVAC fundraise for me?
No, but we will promote your project on social media to help build awareness.
Does OVAC have any creative control over the project?
No. Projects that are fiscally sponsored by OVAC are considered independent contractors and retain their own identity. Project directors retain creative control and ownership of their project/organization.
Do I have to have a US Social Security number or be incorporated in the US to join OVAC Fiscal Sponsorship?
Yes. you must have a social security number or be incorporated as an LLC or corporation in the US.
Do I have to live in Oklahoma?
Yes, you must be a current Oklahoma resident and the public presentation of the project must take place in Oklahoma.
Who decides if my application is accepted?
A committee of OVAC board members carefully reviews each application for mission alignment, quality of the proposal and project, and feasibility of the project.
Can I talk to someone at OVAC before I apply?
Of course! Call us at 405-879-2400 or email Rebecca Kinslow at Director@ovac-ok.org.
Requirements to Apply:
Applications must include the following:
- Project description
- Project budget with both income and expenses
- Resume/CV of key participants
- 10 Work samples (preferably jpegs) or URL for film/video artwork with descriptions
- Artwork sample list
- Letter of support (if applicable)
For questions, contact Rebecca Kinslow at (405) 879-2400 Ex. 4 or Director@ovac-ok.org.