BEWARE Of Missing These Spooky Good Opportunities

Just kidding, these opportunities aren’t spooky at all!

Spooky season has just begun and we wanted to remind you that although applications and submission deadlines might be nerve-racking, there’s nothing to fear.Open that door. Answer that call. Walk into the unknown.

YOU GOT THIS!

Below are important calls for funding, art, gallery shows, training experiences and more all lined up for you. The scariest thing you have to experience this October is at a haunted house or trick-or-treating. Jump into the applications below!

Fall CEI Cohort 2025

Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative Applications Close THIS SUNDAY, OCT. 12!

CEI 2026 Spring Cohort
PRESENTED BY: Charlotte Is Creative
DUE: Oct. 12, 2025
LEARN MORE AND APPLY

By the time you read this, there will only be a few days left to apply for the Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative (CEI) Cohort for 2026. This program, made possible with funds from Wells Fargo, National Endowment for the Arts and Mecklenburg County with funds allocated by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), sharpens your business skills, assists in tackling tough challenges and connects you with other creatives.

CEI Participants Receive:

10 classes on topics ranging from project management, bookkeeping and legal structure, to marketing and storytelling
1-on-1 business consultations and creative mentors
Increased social capital and networking opportunities
Promotion via Charlotte Is Creative’s media channels
A supportive and collaborative Alumni network
Access to learning materials to use after the class
$50 stipend to attend each class
$1,500 grant, upon successful completion of the CEI program, to enhance their creative business with equipment purchases, legal fees, infrastructure or towards a specific project, etc.

👉 AThis is your chance to spend 10 weeks (Jan.–April 2026) getting hands-on guidance, mentorship and the tools you need to grow your creative business. Apply NOW Before It’s Too Late!

CHARLOTTE RECIPROCITY CIRCLES
FROM: Charlotte Is Creative
When: Sat., Oct. 11 | 10–11:30 a.m.
Tickets: Free — Reserve your spot HERE
Location: Woodlawn Community Fellowship | 737 E Woodlawn Rd

Close out 2025 by doing what we all need more of — making creative friends. Enjoy free coffee, breakfast bites, and authentic connections with Charlotte creatives, entrepreneurs, and community builders.

This 90-minute in-person experience starts with open networking, followed by small, moderated circles where participants:

Get inspired and share encouragement
Ask for help with creative goals or challenges
Offer advice, resources, and connections in return
Build cross-industry relationships that last

This isn’t small talk or sales pitches — it’s a space for real collaboration and creative energy. Because in Charlotte, social capital grows when we share it.

STRATEGIC INVESTMENT GRANTS
FROM: Arts & Science Council
Opens: Oct. 8, 2025 | APPLY HERE

The Arts & Science Council (ASC) is opening applications for the Strategic Investment Grant, created to help established Mecklenburg County nonprofits in arts, science, history, and heritage strengthen their foundations for long-term success. ASC’s goal is to foster sustainable growth, collaboration, and innovation within the Charlotte-area creative ecosystem.

Funding Details:

Grant Amount: Up to $50,000 for project-based support
Matching Funds: None required for requests up to $10,000; 50% match required for requests up to $50,000
Project Window: Oct. 1, 2025 – May 1, 2026
Q&A Sessions on Oct. 18 & 10 | SIGN UP HERE.
Deadline: Rolling applications accepted, with preference to those received by Nov. 4, 2025, at noon

For questions or assistance, contact grants@artsandscience.org.

Request for Event Photography Quotes
FROM: The Good Food Institute

Submission Deadline: Oct. 12, 2025 | Send quotes to KelliC@gfi.org and reneeb@gfi.org
Location: North Carolina State University | 840 Oval Dr, Raleigh, NC 27606

Photographers are invited to submit quotes for 1.5 hours of event photography from 10-11:30 AM on Thursday, November 6, 2025. In your quotes, be sure to account for any and all equipment rentals and travel costs. You will NOT be able to bill outside of the submitted proposal amount. MORE INFORMATION HERE.

ANIMALS
FROM: The Visual And Performing Arts (VAPA) Center
Submission Deadline: Oct. 20, 2025 | APPLY HERE
Location: The VAPA Center | 700 N Tryon St

The VAPA Center is calling for 2D artwork honoring animals, particularly reflecting on the ways they shape artists’ personal and professional artistic journeys.

Photography Mixer & Slideshow
FROM: The Light Factory
Submission Deadline: Oct. 14, 2025
SUBMISSION EMAIL: hello@lightfactory.org
Location: Triple C Brewing | 2900 Griffith St, Charlotte, NC

The Light Factory is hosting their second inaugural Photography Mixer, Slideshow & Print Exchange at Triple C Brewing. This is a casual evening of photography, conversation, and community. Be sure to grab a beverage, meet fellow creatives, and submit photos for the participant slideshow projected throughout the evening.

BOOM CHARLOTTE 2026
FROM: BOOM Charlotte
Submission Deadline: Various | APPLY HERE
Location: The Shoppes at University Place

Applications are open for BOOM 2026. From May 1–3, 2026, artists, creatives and cultural groups are invited to help transform University City into a vibrant mix of dance, music, theater, poetry and visual art..

Choose where your work fits best:

BOOM Fringe: Indoor ticketed performances that are bold, edgy, or experimental.
BOOM Intersection: Outdoor performances and visual art for all ages. (Stages, Site-Specific, and Visual Art/Installation options available.)
BOOM Marketplace: Sell your locally made art, crafts, or food.

Summit Coffee Submissions
FROM: Summit Coffee
Submission Deadline: Rolling
SUBMIT HERE FOR NODA | SUBMIT HERE FOR PLAZA
Location: 416 E 36th St | 2501 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC

Summit Coffee locations have wall space for your art. Submit works to be considered for upcoming opportunities, group shows and other creative installations. Works are selected based on curator interests, show themes and at the discretion of the Summit location.

Lab Technician – Art Department
FROM: Davidson College Art Department
Submission Deadline: Rolling
MORE INFO HERE
Location: Davidson College, Davidson, NC

The Lab Technician in the Art Department’s role is to administer, maintain and coordinate all studio labs in Davidson’s Visual Arts Center. The technician also assists with prep/installation and removal of art exhibitions in the Van Every and Smith Art Galleries and collection works installed throughout campus.

BOOFEST
FROM: Plaza Shamrock Neighborhood Association
Event Date: Oct. 25, 2025 | SIGN UP HERE
Location: 1111 Dade St, Charlotte NC | Block Party

The beloved Plaza Shamrock tradition –Boofest –, returns on October 25 and they are asking for our support as volunteers. They need helping hands for local activities, potluck coordination and general setup and support.

The Biscuit is proudly sponsored by: