Calls for Applicants

No representations are made about the postings included on this site. Advertisements should not be interpreted as an endorsement or otherwise encouragement for students to apply for these opportunities. Students bear the burden of researching all organizations, employers, and the terms of the opportunities before responding to the postings.

To submit an opportunity, please contact Communications Specialist Ben Reynolds at bjreynolds3@ua.edu. The department will contact you with more information if your opportunity is a good fit for the page.

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10/16/26: The Laura Bassi Scholarship was established in 2018 with the aim of providing editorial assistance to postgraduates and junior academics whose research focuses on neglected topics of study, broadly construed. The scholarships are open to every discipline and the next round of funding will be awarded in Winter 2026. The application deadline is November 15, and results will be posted on December 4.

All currently enrolled master’s and doctoral candidates are eligible to apply, as are academics in the first five years of full-time employment. Applicants are required to submit a completed application form along with their CV through the application portal by the relevant deadline. Further details, including previous winners, and the application portal can be found here.

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These grants are for students to initiate, or further develop, a for-profit business, social entrepreneurial / non-profit project, or creative endeavor. Current UA undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply, except those who are full-time UA employees.

Two levels of funding are available:
*Small Grant (up to $1,000): available for projects in the initial or early developmental stages.
*Large Grant (up to $3,000): a limited number of large grants are available for existing projects that have received previous Levitetz or similar types of funding. You will be asked in the application to identify previous funding sources.

For more information about the LLP and the Seed Grant program, visit the LLP website or contact Dr. Julia Cherry (julia.cherry@ua.edu).

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10/7/26: The Oakland Arts Review, a national undergraduate literary arts journal publishing out of Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, welcomes submissions for OAR volume 12!

The journal’s editors are looking “for work that moves and teaches us” and are open to the genres of comics, poetry, fiction, nonfiction, short play, screenplay and visual art. AI work is not accepted.

The soft due date for submissions for volume 12 is December 1. Students who get their work in by this date have a better chance of appearing in the upcoming issue. Submit for free through Submittable at OAR.submittable.com. Read more on the OAR website.

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10/7/26: The 55^th Annual Kentuck Festival of the Arts seeks volunteers for October 17-18! Browse opportunities to get involved with one of West Alabama’s largest arts events on the Kentuck website.

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10/7/26: Each summer, Joffrey Ballet School welcomes more than 75 paid interns to support our summer intensives across multiple locations, including New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, and more. Internship opportunities range from 4–12 weeks, with compensation varying by position and location. Depending on the internship, additional benefits may include housing, board, MTA reimbursement, and travel assistance.

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9/28/26: Now hiring: FIVE Coffee Shop

9/28/26: Open call: Emerging Artists for Impact Award!

The International Art Project, a 501(c)(3) foundation, invites current BFA or MFA students to submit work for its inaugural Emerging Artists for Impact Award. Applications are free, and there is no theme. An independent jury will select twenty finalists on artistic merit alone.

Finalists will exhibited together in Miami Beach during Miami Art Week, opening November 30, 2026. All finalists will win $1,500 and one grand prize winner will win $3,500.

Please note: Selected artwork becomes the property of the sponsoring organization and will not be returned. Students should consider the value they place on the work before applying.

The submission deadline is Friday, October 2, 2026, 11:59 PM ET. Find full guidelines and the application on the IAP website.

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9/16/26: The Bible Belt Bazaar seeks UA student artists for its third year!

This annual student-organized show, founded by department alum Cade Hopkins and currently managed by Rose Kimbrough, opens at Harrison Galleries on February 5, 2027. The show’s free application is open to all current UA undergraduate and graduate students. Each student may submit up to three pieces.

Applications close December 1!. Please contact Rose Kimbrough (krkimbrough@crimson.ua.edu) for additional information.

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9/15/26: The Alberta School of Performing Arts, a local Tuscaloosa elementary school, seeks a student or faculty member to paint a mural on a school wall. Parties interested in the project should contact Susan Quarles at (205) 534-7857.

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9/8/26: The City of Tuscaloosa’s Environmental Services Department is inviting community members of all ages to turn everyday waste and recyclable materials into original works of art through its first Recycled Art Contest.

The competition encourages participants to rethink what they throw away by transforming recycled, reused or repurposed materials into original artwork. Artists are encouraged to incorporate materials such as cardboard, plastics, paper, metal, glass and other clean discarded items into their creations.

Recycled glass mulch from Environmental Services is available for participants to incorporate into their artwork. Those interested may request up to five gallons of recycled glass here.

Participants must submit their artwork through the City’s digital entry form by October 1. Artists will be asked to provide information about their creation, recycled materials used, and photos of the completed artwork.

Winners will be notified October 2 and will receive a pair of weekend passes to the 2026 Kentuck Festival of the Arts, taking place October 17-18, a coupon for a free t-shirt and a chance for artwork to be displayed at the festival.

Contest guidelines are available here.

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9/8/26: Applications for the ASSURE (Arts & Sciences Support for Undergraduate Research) program are now open!

ASSURE provides funding of up to $1,500 to support undergraduate research and creative projects in the Barefield College of Arts and Sciences. It is a great opportunity for students to pursue a research question, develop a creative project, gain hands-on experience, and work closely with a faculty mentor.

The application deadline for the ASSURE program is October 28, 2026. Learn more about the program here!

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9/8/26: The Alabama Prison Arts + Education Project (APAEP) is seeking practicing artists and art educators to teach through its Community Education program in Alabama correctional facilities.

Through The Practice of Art, the project’s organizers are interested in courses that introduce students to foundational 2-D approaches while developing skills they can continue practicing and building upon independently.

APAEP is looking for instructors interested in teaching more than a single project or technique. Strong courses help students develop ways of seeing, thinking, experimenting, problem-solving, and making—building a foundation that can support continued artistic growth beyond the classroom. Working with limited materials is an important part of this project, and class proposals that “make more with less” will be prioritized.

Community Education classes are typically taught over a 12-week semester and meet once each week for approximately 2½ hours. Classes are designed for adult learners in correctional settings.

Educators interested in the project should contact department alum and Franklin Jeffers (fpj0004@auburn.edu).

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9/8/26: A local client is seeking an artist to create an 8×10 graphite portrait of one subject, working from a provided photograph. The client is particularly interested in a realistic style with an emphasis on capturing the subject’s eyes. Interested faculty or students should contact Ashleigh Junkin at (205) 561-8700.

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9/8/26: A variety of contributor positions at The Crimson White are open for the 2026-27 academic year! Illustrators, graphic designers, and videographers are invited to apply through this form.

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9/3/26: Polaris, Ohio Northern University’s undergraduate journal of literature and art, is now accepting submissions for its 77th issue, slated for release in April 2027.

Polaris is committed to publishing undergraduates in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and all art genres. The deadline is February 1, 2027, and submissions guidelines can be found on the journal’s website. The journal’s editors are especially interested in receiving art and nonfiction submissions.

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9/3/26:The Birmingham Museum of Art has announced that applications are now open for BMA’s Spring Teaching Fellowship!

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8/21/26: Paid prehistoric painting project!

Director of Museum Research and Collections Dr. John Abbott seeks an art student for help with a prehistoric painting project!

In 1940, scientists discovered a fossilized wing of Meganeuropsis permiana, an extinct species commonly regarded as the largest insect of all time. Dr. Abbott owns an unpainted model of the fossil and seeks to match the original fossil’s coloration.

This is a paid opportunity for a student interested or experienced in restoration work. Send examples of relevant painting work to Dr. Abbott at jabbott1@ua.edu.

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8/21/26: Arts Volunteer Opportunity!

The Tuscaloosa Arts Council seeks student artists to help with an upcoming arts festival at a local elementary school!

SPECTRAfest is an annual showcase of artists and art for the students of Westwood. The all-day festival features displays, demonstrations, performances, hands-on learning, and other programming. This year’s event is held at Westwood Elementary School in Coker, AL on Monday, November 9, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

TuscArts Director of Education Joanna Lemmon seeks artists interested in leading 25-minute sessions throughout the day. Previous artists have demonstrated bucket drumming, clay throwing, painting on a collaborative canvas, and other activities

Event organizers offer participants a small honorarium and will pay for any necessary supplies. Lunch is provided on the day of the event. Contact Director of Education Joanna Lemmon (education@tuscarts.org) for additional information.

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7/14/26: The Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center seeks several Creative Programs Interns for the upcoming season of programming!

The Creative Programs Internship is a semester-long experiential learning opportunity for students interested in marketing, communications, public relations, arts administration, event management, hospitality, or related fields. Interns will work directly with the CAC Manager to develop and execute promotional campaigns for Tusc Arts Creative programming.

Throughout the semester, interns will gain practical experience in nonprofit arts administration, build a design portfolio, and contribute to the growth of community arts programming in Tuscaloosa. The Arts Council can provide class credit for the internship, which could lead to a paid job in the next semester.

Interested students should send the following materials to cac@tuscarts.org:

-Resume

-Cover letter

-Two to five examples of creative work (graphic design, photography, social media
campaigns, writing samples, marketing materials, event projects, etc.)

Selected applicants will be invited to participate in an interview with DWCAC Manager and UA alum Gabi Verghese. Please email Verghese (cac@tuscarts.org) for additional information.

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7/14/26: The Baylor University Moody School of Education recently launched an innovative, online MS in Learning Design and Technology to prepare people to enter the growing field of Learning Experience Design and Instructional Design across industries. This program offers three hands-on technology labs, integrates the latest in artificial intelligence technology as it relates to industry practice, and can be completed in as little as one year.

Students with Design and Visual Communications backgrounds are great candidates for this program. Scholarships are available. Visit Baylor’s website for more information.

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6/4/26: UA’s Student Employment portal features a rotating selection of part-time opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. Many roles involve photography, graphic design, and other creative skills.

Featured jobs include:

Marketing Student Assistant – Dining Services: Closes October 1

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3/4/26: Kentuck Art Center seeks artists and vendors for a variety of upcoming opportunities, including:

• A teaching-oriented Studio Artist to rent the organization’s 596 square-foot studio
• ~270 artists for The 55^th Kentuck Festival of the Arts (October 17-18, 2026)
• Artists for monthly Kentuck Art Markets
• Visual artists and musicians for monthly Art Nights
• Workshop instructors

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1/16/26: Artist applications are OPEN for Kentuck’s Art Markets 2026!

Kentuck’s Art Markets are held monthly at Kentuck at Queen City, and artist applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Once accepted, artists are approved to participate in all 2026 Art Markets, making it easy to plan ahead and stay involved throughout the year. Apply now on the Kentuck website.

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8/22/25: The department has a new LinkedIn page! Follow us there (and on Instagram!) to stay updated about job postings, internship opportunities, and news from the local and regional art scene.

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Ongoing: Bold.org has thousands of college scholarships, searchable by keyword. Deadlines vary.

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Ongoing: SEEKING STUDENT ARTISTS FOR FIRST FRIDAY DEMOS!

The First Friday Demonstrating Artists Program is looking for more artists to add to the demonstrating artists’ roster. Complete the form here.  If you qualify, you will be contacted via email each month with details about how you can participate in each upcoming First Friday. Each artist is usually stationed outside a partnering business downtown and a tent is provided for them. The Friday night traffic will allow them to demonstrate and share their art with the community. The organizers encourage all students to participate or reach out with any questions! It is free to participate, and a great way to get involved in the community, meet other artists, and meet potential clients. Please contact Kayleigh Westbrook (kewestbrook98@gmail.com) with any questions.

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01/18/2024: Prepare now to apply for Artist Fellowship and Arts Facilities grants. Generally, for projects that occur between October 1 and September 30, applications are due the previous year’s March, June, and September, depending on the type of grant. Find out how to apply here.

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Ongoing: Animation/VFX/Game Industry Job Postings (Google doc)

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09/21/2022: Vinegar, a nonprofit contemporary art gallery in Birmingham, is seeking volunteers to help with gallery operations. Sign up for Vinegar’s volunteer opportunities newsletter to hear of upcoming opportunities. Vinegar is co-directed by Professor Melissa Yes in the UA Department of Art & Art History; for further inquiries, you can reach her at myes@ua.edu.

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02/07/2022 Collision Literary Magazine at the University of Pittsburgh seeks submissions of undergraduate fiction, nonfiction, poetry and art. Check the website for specific issue deadlines; they usually begin accepting submissions at the end of August and close in January. More info here.

Study Abroad

Applications for the department’s study abroad trip to Italy have closed.

Visit the Study Abroad page and stay tuned for information about our trip to Spain in 2027!

Art Student Organizations

Alabama Print & Book Group

The Alabama Print & Book Group (APBG) provides learning opportunities and social activities for people interested in printmaking, paper-making, and the book arts. Our group fosters appreciation for the arts through activities like workshops, guest lecturers, exhibitions, sales of work and educational travel. Follow them on Instagram: @alabamaprintbookgroup.

Learn more about APBG.

Art Ambassadors

Our Department of Art & Art History Art Ambassadors assist in welcoming and introducing prospective students and their parents to our department and the campus. They give tours of the department, answer questions and help in recruiting new students. They may participate in the annual Majors Fair and other on-campus activities.

Visit the Art Ambassadors web page.

Crimson Clay

Crimson Clay brings together students who share a common enthusiasm for working with clay. Whether focused on functional or sculpture clay art, each member works toward a greater understanding of material and process. Every semester, members seek to benefit the larger group and broader community by building relationships with local partners. This is accomplished, in part, through the exhibition of student artwork as well as fund-raising events. As a result, students receive funding assistance from the club to attend conferences or ceramic-based research activities throughout the United States.

Visit the Crimson Clay page.

General Art Club

The General Art Club is a student-run arts club at the University of Alabama. Expressing ourselves through art, both professionally and for fun, is the basis of our organization. We believe that everyone should have access to artistic communities and experiences, regardless of skill level or college major. Our organization is home to aspiring professional art majors, engineering majors with artistic hobbies and those simply wanting to learn the basics and have fun. We aim for one large project each semester, which may include public events, artist workshops and visitors or exhibitions. Additionally, we have small events and activities to practice new techniques. Our main priority is to connect students to each other and the community through art.

Learn more about the General Art Club.

Society of Art History Students – The Guild

“We are a small group of emerging art historians with a wide range of skills and experience. We love what we do, and we do it with passion.” The Society of Art History Students, or The Guild, is a campus organization where students can gather to discuss topics of art history. To join, one does not have to be an art history major or minor but should have a keen interest in the discipline. Activities during meetings include discussions of art, faculty spotlights, and items of interest, such as using an Oculus program to view Gothic cathedrals, or watching films or documentaries related to art history. An interest in a specific period, style, or artist is not required. This organization is intended to have an amalgamation of interests coming from each member. With this, fruitful and robust discussions can be held, where students learn from each other. Resources for both undergraduates and graduates are available, such as opportunities for paper submissions and useful sources regarding graduate school applications.

For more information, visit The Guild’s website or follow them on Instagram.