Artist Opportunities | April 2025
- Arts Council
- Mar 19
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 25
CITY OF WINSTON-SALEM
2025BUSINESS PLAN CONTEST
DEADLINE: April 14th
The Office of Business Inclusion and Advancement is devoted to promoting the growth of small businesses in Winston-Salem. Budding entrepreneurs approach the department weekly for assistance in writing business plans and the steps involved in starting a business.
In an effort to broaden our reach, the department will host its eleventh Business Plan Contest in 2025.
Winner Rewards
Each of the two winners will receive:
$5,000 grant for startup costs
$5,000 potential matching micro-loan
Opportunity to apply to Small Business Loan Program
Assistance
The Business Department staff is happy to provide technical assistance and feedback to participants at any point.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the contest, submissions must be for for-profit micro-businesses (5 employees or fewer) and be located within the Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area (NRSA- PDF). This area has been identified by the City of Winston-Salem as being prime for needed development and investment.
Lastly, the proposed business must create low- to moderate-income jobs and/or provide benefit to the low-to moderate-income community.
Contest Timeline
March 11th - Informational kick-off meeting. Email Steven Harrison for a Zoom invitation or to learn more about our in-person meeting at the Public Meeting Room located in the Bryce Stuart Municipal Building.
April 14th - Business Proposals due (2-page maximum)
Mail, email, fax, or deliver to Office of Business Inclusion and Advancement. Only typed documents accepted.
Include a completed Business Plan Contest Application (PDF) with your submission.
For email submissions:
Business Proposals must be attached to email in Word or PDF form and not written in the body of the email
Include "Business Plan Contest" in the subject line
Submissions will be reviewed, and the most viable business plans will move to the final round
Staff will be available for technical assistance throughout the contest
August 11th - Complete business plans are due from finalists for evaluation by the Small Business Loan Review Committee
Winner of the contest will be announced in the Fall
Entrepreneurs that do not win will still receive business plan critiques and have the opportunity to apply to the Small Business Loan Program. Staff will also be happy to continue providing technical assistance.
Entrepreneurs that do not win will still receive business plan critiques and have the opportunity to apply to the Small Business Loan Program. Staff will also be happy to continue providing technical assistance.
Email Steven Harrison for more information.
Click the link below for submission requirements and more information.
HEADSHOTS
ETHAN FUHRMEISTER
SOUTH ARTS
GRANTS, ADVOCACY, AND RELIEF FUNDING
Jazz Road Creative Residencies
Funding for professional jazz artists to explore their craft, engage with communities, and take their artistry to the next level through self-directed residencies. Amount: $5,000-$40,000. Deadline: April 12, 2025
Walking Together: Investing in Folklife in Communities of Color
Investing in traditional arts and culture heritage by supporting both artists and the organizations that uplift. Amount: $15,000 for artists, $50,000 for organizations. Deadline: March 5th, 2025
Jazz Road Creative Residencies
Jazz artists apply for a grant to explore their work in new ways. Grants of $5,000-$40,000 are available to support a residency you propose and develop for artistic creation or connecting with audiences. Deadline: June 4th, 2025
SAWTOOTH
2025-2026 RESIDENCY APPLICATION
DEADLINE: May 15, 2025
For 80 years, Sawtooth has been a creative hub for the region—an energetic craft school environment in downtown Winston-Salem, NC.
Our year-long Artist-in-Residence programs encourage emerging artists to develop new skills, foster community connections, and create new bodies of work while assisting with studio operations. Sawtooth’s residencies prioritize self-exploration and personal growth while also providing support for professional development, including possible teaching and exhibition opportunities. Our residency program is only open to U.S.-based artists at this time.
Applications for our Ceramics, Printmaking, and Woodworking residencies are now open! Details on each program and necessary submission materials all below.
Applications for all programs are due Thursday, May 15, 2025.
Want email reminders? Sign up for our Residency newsletter for occasional deadline reminders and relevant information about our residency programs.
SAWTOOTH
(RE)USEFULL ART EXHIBITION APPLICATION
DEADLINE: April 30, 2025
SUBMIT YOUR WORK!
(Re)Useful Art Exhibition
on view in Sawtooth’s Redding Corridor Gallery
May 27–August 2, 2025
Calling All Artists! Make something unwanted into a creative piece of genius!
Sawtooth and Art SHAC are teaming up to exhibit YOUR artworks on the theme of creative reuse. Join the sustainability movement by creating a reused, recycled, or upcycled piece of art, reducing waste and its environmental impact.
When shopping for materials at Art SHAC, mention you are making work for this exhibition and receive 10% off your total purchase.
Applications are due by Wednesday, April 30th at 11:59 pm. There is no fee and no age restriction.
BAGEL STATION
CALL FOR ART
DEADLINE: Ongoing
Bagel Station, a local favorite of Winston-Salem, just expanded into Kernersville. They are looking for artists to submit artwork to hang in the dinning room of all three of their locations. Art is displayed for 2 month periods at a time. Artists and their artwork get highlighted on the Bagel Station media channels and in-store media. Artwork is encouraged to be available for purchase, although artists need to provide contact information for the sales.
Reach out to marketing@bagelstation.net for more information and to send in applications.
RANDOLPH COUNTY CULTUREFEST
VENDOR/ARTISTS OPEN CALL
DEADLINE: April 15, 2025
Randolph County CultureFest is looking for artists to Vend at their upcoming festival in Asheboro on April 26. The festival looks to bring attention to a variety of minority cultures through showcasing local performance, food, and craft. If you are interested in selling and showcasing your art and heritage, contact Jeremy Skidmore at jeremyskidmore@gmail.com
RFQ: Brunson Elementary Sculpture
Deadline: Friday, May 9, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET
The WS|FC Public Art Commission is seeking an artist or artist team to design, fabricate, and install public artwork in Brunson Elementary School. This permanent installation will be part of a new construction project, where Brunson Elementary School is being relocated to a new campus after 63 years in its original location.
Budget for the project is $75,000.
The WS|FC Public Art Commission and Boston-Thurmond Community Network are seeking an artist or artist team to design and install asphalt murals in up to three locations throughout the Boston-Thurmond neighborhood. The sites identified for this project are near schools and on major throughways in the neighborhood. With each asphalt mural, the committee hopes to slow down drivers and bring awareness to the school zones.
Budget for the project is up to $17,000.
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