Artist Cohort

Arts Access & Local Artist Empowerment

ArtPop’s Artist Cohort activates public spaces with engaging locally-made artworks! This flagship program transforms our community by exhibiting 20 Charlotte-region artists on billboards and displays throughout the region, and beyond!

The 2026 cohort will comprise 19 adults and 5 high-school senior students, who are selected by a jury process. The program artists will also receive educational, networking, and marketing benefits to foster sustainable creative careers!

Showcasing
Local Artists

on donated ad space valued

at over $8.5 million annually!

Meet the Artists
Support Our Mission

Artist Cohort Benefits:

Features at Artist Events

Educational Opportunities

Community Connection

Public Art Displays

  • Program artists join a thriving creative community of local artists & alumni - a family that's been growing since 2014!

    Artists also receive a one-year membership to the Guild of Charlotte Artists.

  • Region-wide artwork displays on billboards, digital displays, and many other public advertising spaces!

    This is made possible by our Program Partners, who donate public advertising space valued at over $8.5 million annually to feature local art!

  • ArtPop aims to provide our Artist Cohort members with opportunities to learn artist business skills & professional practices. We are currently seeking funding to fuel these artist educational benefits - please consider making a donation here.

  • Program artists are featured at our Community Art Market events, where they can connect with attendees and offer works for sale!

    Features at other potential community events, exhibits, and activations are also possible!

ARTIST IMPACT

222

Charlotte-region artists featured since 2014.

89%

Saw significant growth in their digital audience.

60%

Saw growth in sales through ArtPop events.

85%

Grew connections in the art community.

100%

Would recommend
ArtPop to other artists.

Artist Cohort Updates:

More Updates from ArtPop

Frequently Asked Questions:

General Questions:

  • Billboards and displays are provided to ArtPop through in-kind donations from several media partners.

    Our nonprofit mission is made possible from our partners and community members. Want to see more community transformation through art? Make a contribution today.

  • The group of juried-in artists from a given year make up the “class.”

    For example, the artists juried into the Artist Cohort in the year 2017 may be referred to as the “Class of 2017.”

  • ArtPop’s alumni base includes hundreds of artists across a variety of mediums and backgrounds!

    Visit our Artist Gallery to see every Charlotte-region artist featured in the Artist Cohort since inception.

  • Thank you for your interest in supporting ArtPop’s future! Learn more about ways to Support Our Mission, and feel free to reach out to us!

For Artists:

  • ArtPop will host an Open Call inviting Charlotte-region artists to submit their artwork to be considered for the Artist Cohort program.

    We encourage creatives to follow our social media channels and join our mailing list for updates about our next Open Call!

  • The dates for our 2026 Open Call will be announced soon!

    We thank you for your patience. In the meantime, stay tuned by following us on social media and joining our mailing list below.

  • Please refer to our Submission Guidelines page for full details on Artist Eligibility and Requirements.

  • ArtPop’s Artist Cohort is a juried opportunity. All eligible submissions will be blind-reviewed by a jury of artists and art-lovers after the application deadline. Jurors will not have access to the applying artists’ identities, only the artwork image.

    All artworks are first reviewed based on whether or not they meet the Submission Guidelines outlined here. Artworks that do not meet the Submission Guidelines are ineligible and will be disqualified.

    Eligible artworks are then judged based on their successful artistic execution, and based on potential impact as a public art display. Artworks are considered both individually and collectively to curate a cohesive group with a variety of artistic mediums represented.

CURRENT BILLBOARD PARTNERS:

CURRENT PROGRAM SPONSORS:


Interested in partnering with ArtPop’s Artist Cohort? Let's talk!
We're always open to collaborating with our community, media sponsors, and fellow art lovers.