Much like the small local businesses in our communities, the journey of a working artist often involves twists and turns as they seek professional growth. Artisans dedicate their passion and skills to creating handmade items with the aim of sharing their unique styles, mediums, and love for creativity. Whether an artist is new to the art world or has extensive experience, there are support resources tailored specifically to help artists gain experience, education and professional development opportunities.
WVDACH-inspired exhibitions
The West Virginia Culture Center in Charleston hosts a variety of exhibitions to highlight and feature artists across the state. The West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History will be launching a four-part series of juried exhibitions, featuring themes surrounding West Virginia in honor of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States of America.
Submissions are open for the upcoming two exhibits in the series, titled West Virginia Wildlife, and Historic and Prominent West Virginia People.
For more information or if you are interested in submitting artwork for the upcoming shows, contact Sidney Duncan, Exhibits Coordinator for the department, at 304- 558-0220 or Sidney.L.Duncan@wv.gov.
WVDACH America 250 Grant
The West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History recently introduced a new grant into their fiscal programming, the America 250 Grant. This grant provides the opportunity for schools, nonprofits, organizations, local government and libraries to provide funding for events and educational initiatives that celebrate America’s 250 Anniversary and the contributions from West Virginia. Applications are available at https://wvculture.org/agencies/arts/grants/.
2025 RAIR artist residency
Recycled Artists in Residency (RAIR) operated to challenge the perception of waste culture by providing a unique platform for artists at the intersection of art and industry. Situated inside a construction and demolition waste recycling company in northeast Philadelphia, RAIR offers artist’s studio space and access to more than 500 tons of materials per day. RAIR currently has two residency opportunities — learn more and apply at https://rair.submittable.com/submit.
Get connected to the creative community
The Arts Council of Greater Morgantown (ACGM) is your local resource for arts information and opportunities. Here at the ACGM, we aim to advance the arts and enhance the community by encouraging investment in imagination, infrastructure, and invention. Please check out our website artsgm.org or follow us on Facebook and Instagram @theArtsCouncilofGreaterMorgantown.
