Art shows and fairs give artists a few particularly useful perks: connection, competition and exposure. Connection, for the ways in which the art community comes together in mutual support and camaraderie. Competition, for encouraging artists to put their work out there and open themselves up to comparison and criticism. And perhaps the biggest perk of all—the sheer exposure. Art fairs, both in person and online, are often viewed by tens to hundreds of thousands of people. Simply showing your work at a fair, whether competing for prizes or not, is a great way to get your art in front of more eyes. 

Within the following pages is our 2026 Art Shows & Fairs Guide, which rounds up a few select events with open calls for entry. Some focus on subject matter, while others focus on medium, region and more. Consider entering the shows that fit you and your artwork. This could be the next big step in your career.

The 2025 award winners

 

Artwork on view during the 2025 reception. 

American Artists Professional League

The American Artists Professional League’s 98th Grand National Exhibition celebrates nearly 100 years of excellence in a wide spectrum of contemporary and traditional realism art, showcasing outstanding paintings, drawings and sculptures by artists from across the United States. Held at the prestigious Salmagundi Club of New York, this juried exhibition honors beauty, integrity and craftsmanship, while providing national recognition and over $35,000 in awards to both emerging and established artists.  This show is open to both AAPL members and non-members. Entries open May 29, and the deadline to submit is August 11. Show dates run from November 17 to December 4. 

Contact Info
47 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10003 admin@aaplinc.org  •  aaplinc.org  

A bird’s eye view of the 2025 Waterfowl Festival. Photo by Liam Swadley

 

Artist demo at last year’s festival. Photo by Liam Swadley. 

55th Annual Waterfowl Festival

For 55 years, the Waterfowl Festival in historic Easton, Maryland, has used art to mirror the beauty of nature and inspire environmental stewardship. Each year, the festival presents a juried showcase of wildlife and sporting art. The three-day festival also features local music, cuisine, cultural and outdoor sporting exhibitions and displays. Tickets are on sale now. Premiere night will be held November 12, and the event runs from November 13 to 15.

Contact Info
40 S. Harrison Street, Easton, MD 21601 facts@waterfowlfestival.org  •  waterfowlfestival.org

Colored Pencil Society of America, The Last Wild Honey Bee (detail), colored pencil, markers and graphite, 54 x 107” (137 x 271 cm), by Arthur Venti. 

2027 Explore This!

Colored Pencil Society of America
Each year, the Colored Pencil Society of America sponsors an exciting and innovative online exhibition called Explore This!. Artwork must be predominantly colored pencil but must also include some additional media, element or technique to encourage artists to explore a broad range of applications for colored pencil. The exhibition offers more than $5,000 in awards including the prestigious $2,000 Best of Show (EXPY) Award. The show is open to artists 18 years and older, regardless of geographic location. Artwork must have been created in 2024 or after, and CPSA membership is not required to enter. Submissions for 2027 Explore This! will be accepted from September 15 to November 15, 2026, and acceptances will be announced January 15, 2027. The show opens and winners are announced February 1, 2027.

Contact Info
cpsa.org

Attendees explore artwork at a past show. Photo by Lily Fassnacht.

 

Artwork on display at a previous edition of Festival of Arts Fine Art Show. Photo by Lily Fassnacht. 

Festival of Arts Fine Arts Show

The Festival of Arts Fine Art Show is held each summer in Laguna Beach, California, featuring original artwork from 120 esteemed artists in Orange County. Drawing in nearly 200,000 attendees throughout its two-month season, this event offers a remarkable platform for artists to showcase their talent. This year’s show runs July 7 to September 4. To apply, artists are required to complete an online application, submit photos of their work and pay a $50 jurying fee. The submitted artwork is evaluated by esteemed jurors from the West Coast’s art community, who assess creativity, originality, craftsmanship, design elements and presentation. The deadline to apply for the 2027 fine art show is October 31. For more information and to apply, visit foapom.com/apply. 

Contact Info
650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 (949) 494-1145  •  hello@foapom.com  •  foapom.com

Visitors explore artwork at a past Allied Artists of America Annual Juried Exhibition

 

The Reading Public Museum in Reading, Pennsylvania. 

113th Allied Artists of America Annual Juried Exhibition 

Allied Artists of America
Allied Artists of America presents its 113th Annual Juried Exhibition in 2026, offering two opportunities to showcase your work: a year-long online exhibition and an on-site show at the nationally recognized Reading Public Museum in Pennsylvania. Diverse styles and media are invited to apply. Cash prizes totaling $45,000 in will be awarded. The submission deadline is June 17, and the list of accepted artists will be posted on the organization’s website on July 15. Award winners will also be notified via email on July 15. The online exhibition on alliedartistsofamerica.org runs from September 1, 2026 to September 1, 2027. The Reading Museum exhibition runs from September 15, 2026 to January 3, 2027.

Contact Info
alliedpresident26@gmail.com  •  alliedartistsofamerica.org

A view of a past Art Vancouver.

 

Rows upon rows of artwork at a previous show. Photo by Pablo Galiacho.

Art Vancouver

Art Vancouver 2026 is Western Canada’s premier contemporary art fair, featuring over 80 galleries and artists. The four-day event connects art with collectors and the public through curated exhibitions, talks and exclusive programs. Highlights include an opening night celebration and special private events for collectors. The deadline to apply is May 15.

Contact Info
Vancouver Convention Centre East, Hall B 999 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC   •  (604) 817-6908 info@artvancouver.net  •  artvancouver.net

Visitors stroll the streets during a past edition of the Fall Arts in the Park.

16th Annual Fall Arts in the Park

Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association & Art Center
Presented by the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association, the 16th Annual Fall Arts in the Park returns October 10 and 11 to historic downtown Blue Ridge, Georgia, transforming West Main Street and City Park into a vibrant open-air gallery at the height of the north Georgia fall season. Now in its 16th year, this juried fine arts and fine crafts festival has earned a reputation as one of the Southeast’s premier art events, drawing thousands of loyal collectors, seasonal visitors and serious art buyers to the Blue Ridge Mountains. The deadline to submit for the fall event is July 18.

Contact Info
420 W. Main Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513 (706) 632-2144  •  community@brmaa.org  •  brmaa.org

Collectors contemplate artwork. Photo by Del Hall. Courtesy Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts/Iona Ellsworth

 

Visitors explore works on view during a Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts show. Photo by Del Hall. Courtesy Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts/Iona Ellsworth.

Palette & Chisel Emerging Artists Show

Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts

The Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts is pleased to announce the first national, juried Emerging Artists Show for representational artists under 40 years old. Awards include $5,000 in sponsored cash and merchandise prizes, which will be awarded at the opening reception. Entries are currently open and will close on May 28. Use the QR code to apply, and follow @pncemergingartists for more information. 

Contact Info
1012 N. Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60610 (312) 642-4400  •  ionaellsworth@gmail.com fineart1012@sbcglobal.net  • paletteandchisel.org 

Peaks Art Fairs, The Disparates, oil on canvas, 40 x 46” (101 x 116 cm), by Emily Christensen McPhie

 

A view of a past edition of the Reno Tahoe International Art Show. 

Salt Lake Art Show

Peaks Art Fairs
The first annual Salt Lake Art Show joins the Reno Tahoe International Art Show under the community-centered Peaks Art Fairs, presenting 50-plus galleries alongside more than 100 artists, collectives, sculptors, bespoke furniture makers and Indigenous artists. Welcoming and fun, the show programming includes talks and workshops, live music, dance and theater performances and engaging activities for all ages. The Salt Lake Art Show runs from May 14 to 17. The Reno Tahoe International Art Show will be held September 17 to 20. 

Contact Info
Mountain America Expo Center 9575 State Street, Sandy, UT 84070   briana@peaksartfairs.com saltlakeartshow.com  •  peaksartfairs.com