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State Foundation on Culture and the Arts MAY 2026 Newsletter


Arts & Culture Calendar
This arts and culture calendar features SFCA grantees, partners, and Hawaiʻi state and local government programs and events.

Questions regarding a particular opportunity should be directed to the organization listed with the opportunity. Inclusion here should not be interpreted as an endorsement.

•   National Book Foundation NBF Presents “The Language of Home” with National Book Award-honored author Ingrid Rojas Contreras and Hawaiʻi Poet Laureate Lee Tonouchi. Thursday, April 30, 6:00 p.m. at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (Kuykendall 101 auditorium). Free event. Register on Eventbrite: eventbrite.com/e/nbf-presents-the-language-of-home-tickets-1985323825004.

•   NBF Presents “What Haunts Us” with National Book Award-honored author Ingrid Rojas Contreras. Friday, May 1, 5:00 p.m. at Hale Līhuʻe (Kauaʻi).

•   Honolulu Printmakers “Pink and Orange” exhibit opening Friday, May 1, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the Honolulu Printmakers studio. For more information please visit the Honolulu Printmakers website: HonoluluPrintmakers.org/blog/2026/4/27/grand-opening-friday-may-1st-pink-and-orange-exhibition.

•   First Friday opening reception May 1, 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. “Dance on the Edge of the Witches’ Cauldron” exhibit at the Downtown Art Center, featuring works by Fred Roster, Pat Hickman, Allyn Bromley, Sally French, and Linda Kane. Exhibit open May 1 - 29, 2026.

•   2026 Mod Gala “Celestial Concerto” fundraiser event for Capitol Modern: the Hawaiʻi State Art Museum. Saturday, May 2, 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. Ages 21+ only. Purchase tickets on the Friends of Capitol Modern website: FriendsOfCapitolModern.org/mod-gala.

•   Downtown Art Center Sunday Sessions free performances by Three of Us. Hosted in partnership with the Guitar Foundation of Hawaii. Sunday May 3, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. DowntownArtHI.org.

•   HEART of Honolulu Street Festival 2026 family-friendly art festival with music, food, local vendors, performances. Saturday, May 9, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. HeART STRUT parade of handmade, wearable art at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Get more information on the Downtown Art Center website: DowntownArtHI.org/heartofhonolulufestival.

•   Looking for more arts and culture events? The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority GoHawaii.com website has a searchable events and festivals calendar: GoHawaii.com/trip-planning/events-festivals.
 
Calls for Artists, Grants and Opportunities




Currently open federal, state, and other arts and culture grants/opportunities. Questions regarding a particular opportunity should be directed to the organization listed with the opportunity. Inclusion here should not be interpreted as an endorsement.

•   Creative West Living Traditions: Folk Art and Beyond Grant applications accepted on a rolling basis until June 30, 2026 or until all available funds have been awarded. Get information and apply at CreativeWestGrants.gosmart.org.

•   Creative West 2026 Pacific Jurisdictions Artist Fund provides $2,000 in unrestricted support to artists, culture bearers, and tradition keepers in American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands. Closing May 26 and 27, 2026. Get information and apply at CreativeWestGrants.gosmart.org.

•   Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority seeking proposals from 501(c) nonprofit organizations and government agencies for programs that support cultural preservation, community experiences, and major events across the islands. Go to Kilohana.com/umeke for program details. Applications are due by May 7.

•   Fiber Hawaiʻi 2026 call for entries open until May 12, 2026. For more information, visit the Hawaiʻi Craftsmen website: HawaiiCraftsmen.org/fiber2026-prospectus.

•   University of Hawaiʻi Insect Museum and Honolulu Printmakers call for artists. Portfolio submission due by May 17. Those who are selected to participate will have the opportunity to visit the Insect Museum, interact with the scientists there, and then create a unique piece of art featuring an insect species. Details and application (Google Docs form): UH Insect Museum 2026 art show application.

•   Keiki Coloring Contest Holomua Marine Initiative contest for children ages 8 and under. Entries due by June 1, 2026. Additional information and coloring pages on the Holomua Marine Initiative website: dlnr.hawaii.gov/holomua/keiki-corner (State of Hawaiʻi Dept. of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources).

•   AHA! Art Immersive Exhibit call for Hawaiʻi 2D, 3D, and video artists. Submission deadline June 9, 2026. Learn more and submit on the CallForEntry.org website: Hawaiʻi Island Art Alliance call for AHA! Art Immersive Exhibit.

•   Volcano Art Center call for artists “Peace by Piece” fiber and quilt exhibit. Entries due by June 14, 2026. Register on the Volcano Art Center website: VolcanoArtCenter.org/gallery/for-artists.

•   Call for nominations celebrating literature in and of Hawaiʻi: Elliot Cades Awards for Literature. Nominations and supporting materials must be received by July 1, 2026. Learn more on the Friends of the Library of Hawaiʻi website: FriendsOfTheLibraryOfHawaii.org/cadesaward.

•   Upcoming calls for artists at Wailoa Center include the 16th Annual Abstract Only! exhibition, Full Bleed (anime, graffiti, and manga), and the 18th Annual Hawaiʻi Nei exhibition. Learn more on the Wailoa Center website: WailoaCenter.com/artist-opportunities.

•   Artists of Hawaiʻi 2026 call to artists open August 15 - September 15, 2026. For details, please visit the Downtown Art Center website: DowntownArtHI.org/artistsofhawaii.

•   Communications: public information program jobs in the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. These are fast-track hire positions under Operation Hire Hawaii. Learn more and apply on GovernmentJobs.com: Information Specialist III and IV, Oʻahu.

•   Instructor (Fashion Design and Merchandising), University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR). Full time, 9-month appointment. First review of applications begins May 1, 2026. Learn more and apply at SchoolJobs.com: Instructor (0085933T, CTAHR/FCS).

•   Lecturer (Performing Arts via Asian Languages), University of Hawaiʻi West Oʻahu. Co-teach courses in K-Pop dance. Part time, temporary (academic year 2026-2027). Learn more and apply at SchoolJobs.com: Lecturer (Performing Arts via Asian Languages).


Copyright (C) 2026 Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. All rights reserved.
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The mission of the Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts is to promote, perpetuate, preserve and encourage culture and the arts, history and the humanities as central to the quality of life of the people of Hawai‘i. HSFCA funding is provided by the State of Hawai‘i and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Courtesy of: Hawaii State Art Museum

Hawaii State Art Museum

The Hawai'i State Art Museum is dedicated to presenting the largest and finest collection of works by Hawai'i artists that celebrate the diverse artistic and cultural legacy of Hawai'i.

OUR MISSION
To promote, perpetuate, preserve and encourage culture and the arts, history and the humanities as central to the quality of life of the people of Hawai`i. HSFCA funding is provided by the State of Hawai`i and the National Endowment for the Arts. The HSFCA is administratively attached to the Department of Accounting and General Services.

HOURS:
The musuem is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed State and Federal Holdays. Always free admission. For pre-recorded information call 586-0900.

The Hawai'i State Art Museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. For pre-recorded summary information on the museum, call (808) 586-0900. For current museum program information, call the HSFCA Art in Public Places Program at (808) 586-0305. To arrange an educational tour of the museum, call (808) 586-9958.


For information on the HSFCA; the Hawai'i State Art Museum; HSFCA grants, programs, and services; Hawai'i arts and culture events; and USA and worldwide arts opportunities, visit the HSFCA website, www.hawaii.gov/sfca.

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