call for applicants: artist commons 2026 cohorts
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.
From January through December 2026, Artist Commons brings together small groups of artists for four structured ten-week quarters. 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.
HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
Check out the site and read through the Program Details to see if the program would benefit your practice
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
HOW TO APPLY
Applications are submitted through the Artist Commons website. All you’ll need to apply are examples of your recent work and some short written responses about your art practice and goals.
Early Admission Deadline: Saturday, December 20
Standard Admission Deadline: Saturday, January 10
Late Admission Deadline: Saturday, January 17
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.
To learn more and submit your application, visit artistcommons.art, review the Program Details, and follow the instructions on the Apply page.
If this sounds like the kind of support you've been missing, we would love to see your application!