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The Sally and Richard Lehmann Emerging Artist Awards (Lehmann Emerging Artist Awards) recognizes and supports Arizona-based emerging artists. Recipients demonstrate artistic achievement and a commitment to their practice. A panel of judges will award up to two (2) awards of $10,000, a lifetime membership to Phoenix Art Museum (PhxArt), and each recipient will be invited to present their work in a two-person exhibition at PhxArt, scheduled to open in July 2027. 

Phoenix Art Museum will be accepting submissions for the 2026 Sally and Richard Lehmann Emerging Artist Awards from March 1, 2026 – April 27, 2026. Applications are only accepted online and are due by 5 pm MST on April 27, 2026. There is no fee to submit to the open call.

All applications will also be eligible for the Sette/Cohn Artist Award, a $5,000 unrestricted prize awarded to an emerging Arizona artist. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

Artists must have been living in Arizona for at least one (1) year at the time of application (ie. March 1, 2025).

Artists must be considered emerging artists to apply

• PhxArt defines emerging as having at least four (4) years of professional experience; currently making and exhibiting new work in Arizona, but not extensively outside of the state; or individuals returning to art after a hiatus.
• Artists working in all media, including painting, sculpture, drawing, installation, new media, performance, photography, and video, may apply.

Submitted artwork must have been produced within the past three (3) years.

Are not enrolled full-time in an academic program or engage in art making as a hobby

Are not staff, board, or volunteers of PhxArt

• Please note that independent contractors are not considered staff and are eligible to apply.

Are not previous winners of the Lehmann Emerging Artist Award

Artists must be registered as an Artlink Articipant. Register as an Articipant* with Artlink here. 

Submission Requirements:

Applications must be submitted through Submittable and include:

Artist name, mailing address, email address, and telephone number

Website

Artist CV

Artist statement (300 words or less)

One short-form response (300 words or less):

• How will being a Lehmann Emerging Artist Award recipient help you achieve your artistic goals?

Six (6) images of the artwork you wish to be reviewed by jurors:

• Artwork must be produced in the last three (3) years.
• Video work samples will be accepted; they are not to exceed three minutes each.

Descriptions of each submitted artwork:

• Please include title, date completed, medium, and dimensions
• Short description of the work is optional (100 words or less)

Jury Process and Criteria:

The selection process for the Lehmann Emerging Artist Awards includes two rounds. Applications that advance to Round II will have been seen by at least one arts professional, providing exposure to new audiences and potential connections even outside of the application process.

A panel of qualified judges will select the winner. The 2026 Lehmann Emerging Artist Award panel will comprise four individuals, including a Phoenix Art Museum curator, two qualified arts professionals (one based in Arizona and one national), and a past winner of the Scult Family Award. The jury is asked to consider the following criteria as the sole basis for their review and evaluation.

Artistic Strength: Based on the submitted work samples, does the applicant demonstrate vision, originality, and a commitment to their practice?

Artistic Skill: Does the artist demonstrate an excellence of technique?

Impact: Does the artist clearly explain how receiving the award would help them achieve their artistic goals?

The following scoring guide is provided to the jury: 

5 – Exceptional: Highest possible score.    Application completely fulfills the selection criteria. The artist’s work is compelling. They have clearly explained how receiving the award would impact their career, and you feel strongly they should move to the next round of review.

4 – Excellent: A compelling application that strongly fulfills most of the criteria, and you think they should move on to the next round of review. 

3 – Good: A good application that fulfills most of the criteria.

2 – Fair: Application is strong in some areas and weak in others. You do not feel strongly about this project advancing to the next round.

1 – Poor: Lowest possible score. You do not feel this application fulfills any of the selection criteria, and you are not recommending this project advance to the next round of review.

Submissions deadline: All materials must be submitted by 5:00 pm MST on April 27, 2025.

Questions about Submittable? Please email: submissions@artlinkphx.org

Questions about the application? Please email: curatorial@phxart.org

*Note: While being an Artlink Articipant does not require payment, there are additional benefits to paid levels. Visit artlinkphx.org for details. 

The Carmody Foundation is now accepting applications from Arizona-based artists for the tenth cycle of its grant program to support the work of 15 artists with the Art for Good grants. The submission deadline is Friday, May 29, 2026 by 5:00 p.m. (local Arizona time).

BACKGROUND 

In 2017, Tom and Laurie Carmody established The Carmody Foundation with a mission to enhance quality of life for families by expanding access to affordable housing, advancing women’s health services—including reproductive care and support for victims of violence—and increasing awareness among school-aged children of career pathways in the skilled trades.

The Art for Good Program was created in direct support of these philanthropic priorities and in response to frequent calls for artists to contribute work to nonprofit fundraising efforts. By providing direct support to artists, the program fosters a model in which the creative community and private sector collaborate to generate meaningful impact and strengthen the communities they serve.

Learn more about The Carmody Foundation here. 

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Carmody Foundation is pleased to invite Arizona artists to apply for the 10th cycle of the Art for Good Grant Project. Through a jury-reviewed process, fifteen (15) selected artists will each be awarded a $1,000 grant to create a new, original work of art.

The completed artworks these artists create will then be donated to nonprofit partner organizations and featured in fundraising auctions, directly supporting programs that provide essential services to communities across Arizona.

Participating nonprofit partners are selected from organizations currently supported by The Carmody Foundation and may include, but are not limited to:

• Camp Patrick
• Maggie's Place
• UMOM
• Hope Women's Center of Phoenix
• Phoenix Conservatory of Music
• Boys and Girls Clubs of AZ
• Hospice of the Valley
• New Life Center
• Fresh Start for Women
• Genesis City
• ...and others

Art for Good Meet and Greet Reception: Selected artists will be invited to a reception in August to meet representatives of the nonprofit organizations supported by the grant program. 

Art for Good Exhibition: The works created for the program will be on view in a group exhibition hosted at mood room, located at 3121 N 3rd Ave STE 100, Phoenix, AZ 85013.  The opening reception and award ceremony will be on First Friday, November 6, 2026.

SUBMISSION AND GRANT DETAILS  

• As part of the submission, artists are asked to provide a conceptual framework of the artwork to be produced, if selected.
• Provide up to 3 images of past work as examples.
• Provide a rough description/sketch of the concept for the proposed work.  
• Each selected artist will receive a $1,000 grant. An initial payment of $250 will be given during a meet and greet reception with the various nonprofits in August (date to be determined)
• All artwork must be completed and delivered to mood room on or before Sunday, October 31, 2026.
• A group show for the grant recipients will be held at the mood room for the month of November 2026. The opening reception will be on First Friday, November 6, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• All pieces created for the project will be on display in the aforementioned group show. They will not be for sale, as they are to be donated to the charities listed above.
• Each selected artist will have the opportunity to show up to 2 additional pieces (depending on size), along with their Grant piece, to generate additional revenue through potential sales.
• Final distribution of the awards ($750) and the three additional awards will all be presented at the opening reception of the group show. (Artists are recommended to be present for the awards ceremony. However, if that is not possible, arrangements can be made.)

Criteria: The Carmody Foundation advocates for the arts, education, health care, entrepreneurs, and fair housing. The selected artists will include those whose work addresses, exemplifies, and/or examines these themes. 

Eligibility: This opportunity is open to artists who live and work in Arizona with the ability to produce exemplary art. Artists must be over the age of 18 and be pre-registered as an Artlink Articipant. Find the registration form on artlinkphx.org (Articipant fees are optional).  

Project Timeline:*

• Submission deadline: Friday, May 29, 2026, 5:00 p.m. (local Arizona time)
• Artists notified: Week of June 22-26, 2026
• Artists & Nonprofit Meet and Greet: August 2026 (date and time TBD)
• Delivery of artwork: On or before Saturday, October 31, 2026 (specific times TBD based on all parties' availability)
• Exhibition opening reception: Friday, November 6, 2026 (First Friday), 6 to 9 p.m.

*Timeline subject to change 

Every submission is appreciated and will be seriously considered. Artists will be notified by email. 

Questions? Email submissions@artlinkphx.org.

NOTE: Submissions are received through this Submittable platform. Please create an account or sign in below.