Art Calls Artist Commons 2026 Cohorts
Opportunity Description
International Deadline: January 17, 2026 – Artist Commons is a year-long, online artist development program for early- and mid-career visual artists.
If you’ve been craving a more focused year for your art, one where you’re not working alone, guessing about next steps, or relying on likes for feedback, this is your chance to raise your hand and apply to be a part of our 2026 cohorts.
ELIGIBILITY
Artist Commons is for early- and mid-career visual artists. If you are looking for feedback on your work, want guidance about how to navigate the art world and the business of art, and long for a generous and inspiring community, then Artist Commons is for you. Whether or not you went to art school, Artist Commons is designed to support artists at multiple stages in their career through actionable knowledge and personalized time with mentors.
DATES
From January through December 2026, Artist Commons brings together small groups of artists for four structured ten-week quarters.
DETAILS
Each member is placed into a cohort of roughly 8–10 artists and paired with a mentor. Your cohort meets every week of the quarter for nearly two hours of discussion and critique.
Over the course of the year, you’ll repeatedly get to present your work, receive detailed feedback, and refine both your process and the way you speak and write about your art. Cohorts are built to balance disciplines, geography, and experience levels so that sessions are both challenging and supportive as you grow in your practice.
With your cohort, you’ll also tune into monthly lectures, discussions, and craft workshops from a variety of visiting artists and guest speakers from all sides of the art world. Key topics include: how to navigate the art world and the business of art, modern and contemporary art movements, creativity and craft, and how to do outreach and pursue opportunities.
The program prioritizes both practical skill-building and critical discourse so you can level up your studio work and your professional footing at the same time
WHAT IS INCLUDED
Across the full year, Artist Commons cohort members receive:
- Weekly cohort feedback sessions and accountability on your progress
- Four one-on-one crits with a mentor
- Portfolio reviews
- Weekly lectures and discussions on:
– – Creativity and craft
– – The business of art (including gallery contracts, pricing/ editioning, etc.)
– – Modern and contemporary art history and theory
– – Pursuing Opportunities and Outreach to grow the audience for your work - Craft workshops, live demos, and candid talks with working artists and creative technologists
- Reading group discussions and close-looking exercises that sharpen your eye and thinking
- Writing clinics for artist statements, bios, proposals, and applications
- A private online community discussion space and smartphone app for ongoing feedback and support
- A curated resource list highlighting residencies, grants, and open calls
- Quarterly in-person meetups in select cities
DEADLINES
- Early Admission Deadline: Saturday, December 20
- Standard Admission Deadline: Saturday, January 10
- Late Admission Deadline: Saturday, January 17
TUITION & SCHOLARSHIPS
There is no fee to submit an application. Admissions decisions are shared on a rolling basis after each deadline period. Cohorts may fill before the final deadline, so it’s a good idea to apply as early as you can.
There is a fee for the year-long program, and a special Founding Member price in 2026. To keep the program accessible, we offer both partial and full scholarships. Visit us for details.
APPLY ONLINE
Check out the site and read through the Program Details to see if the program would benefit your practice.
About:
Artist Commons is a year-long online program for early- and mid-career visuals artists looking to get serious about their work. Artists accepted into the program are paired with a cohort and mentor who offer feedback and accountability to help you grow your art practice. Weekly lectures on craft, the art world, various modern and contemporary art movements, and the business of art will expand your toolkit and help you build momentum.
Follow @artist_commons on Instagram, Twitter, or Bluesky
