With a commitment to artists, communities, and the arts, Cain Center for the Arts has become a place where businesses, nonprofits, and organizations come to source creative talent. On average, we receive 2–4 commission opportunities per month to share with local and regional artists. To honor this avenue of bringing arts to the community, we’ve created the Cain Center Artist Circle — a directory where artists can submit their professional information to be considered for commission work. This resource helps connect businesses with artists who fit their project needs, while our Visual Arts staff supports communications and recommendations. The Artist Circle is another way Cain Center serves as a bridge between art, artists, and the community.
Application Window: September 15th, 2025 - October 3rd, 2025
Next Application Window: March 16th, 2026 - April 3rd, 2026
Please email Exhibits@cainarts.org with any questions.
Artist Application
Looking for more opportunities to showcase your work? The Cain Center Artist Circle is a new directory connecting local and regional artists with commission projects and community partnerships.
To apply, artists are asked to submit:
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Images of artwork
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Professional website(s)
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Social media handles
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Artist resume/CV
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Previous work affiliations
Our Visual Arts staff will help manage communications and recommend artists to potential partners. Registration opens twice per year, giving you the chance to update your profile and keep your work visible. The Artist Circle is designed to help your artistry be seen and connected with real opportunities.
Note: Artists who fit the criteria for the Artist Circle are Professional artists who have demonstrated artistic skills, experience of more than 3 years, have been contracted for commissions before, and have worked with an organization in a large-scale art Project. Artists should have a portfolio and a website showcasing their work.
Organization & Business Request Form
Cain Center for the Arts, located in downtown Cornelius, NC — just 20 minutes from Charlotte — is proud to serve as a connecting point between organizations and the vibrant community of local and regional artists.
Through our Cain Center Artist Circle, businesses, nonprofits, and government entities can easily access a directory of artists who are open to commission opportunities. This resource was created to streamline the process of finding the right creative partner for your project, whether it’s a large-scale installation, community event, or private commission.
Our Visual Arts staff helps manage the directory, facilitates communication, and provides recommendations to ensure organizations are matched with artists who best fit their vision and goals. On average, Cain Center receives multiple commission requests each month, and the Artist Circle ensures we can connect those opportunities directly to artists in our community.
If your organization is interested in working with an artist, please complete the form below, and our team will be in touch to guide the next steps.
