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Commission for New Artwork
A new commissioning opportunity for UK-based disabled artists. Apply now to create new work responding to urban barriers faced by disabled people, to be exhibited at UCL East.
Who can apply: UK-based disabled artists
What you get: £3000 artist fee (inclusive of all costs and materials). Exhibition at UCL, London in June 2026 Permanent display following the exhibit at the National Centre for Accessible Transport headquarters at Coventry University. Inclusion in the exhibit report and strategic vision document, published and circulated to policymakers and advocacy groups. Exhibit will be displayed at the high profile UCL East Atrium space (as pictured) Headphones will be available for visitors to experience auditory elements Digitisation of artworks for online dissemination. Profile raising through Coventry University’s networks, Shape Arts, Policy Connect, and partner organisations. Long-term opportunities as we expand the exhibit into a national programme.
Deadline 16 February 2026
This Love Competition
We invite artists to submit one artwork exploring the theme of love. Love connects us to people, places, objects, and moments. It is deeply personal yet universal. We seek diverse, thoughtful, and creative interpretations on what love means to you.
Who can apply: Any age, residence and nationality welcome. We invite artists of any level to submit. Any medium is also welcome, though please note the final work will need to be submitted as a high-resolution digital file so that we can print them to display for the exhibition.
What you get: The opportunity to take part in a group exhibition at Burgh House in June 2026. Burgh House is a Georgian Grade I listed building in the heart of Hampstead village, London.
Deadline 20 March 2026
The Women of Colour Arts Award
The Women of Colour Arts Award (WoCAA) is a biannual award delivered by 198 Contemporary Arts & Learning in partnership with the Rita Keegan Foundation. It supports UK-based artists from the Global Majority who identify as marginalised genders, providing financial and developmental support at a key stage in their practice. This edition foregrounds materiality and process, welcoming experimental, process-led approaches across all artistic mediums, including performance and work. Five artists will be shortlisted for a Spring 2026 group exhibition at 198.
Who can apply: Applications are open to artists from the Global Majority who identify as marginalised genders, including women, women-identifying individuals, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people, and who feel comfortable in a space that centres the experiences of women.
What you get: Shortlisted finalists will have the opportunity to exhibit in a spring 2026 group exhibition at 198 Contemporary Arts & Learning, shown alongside and/or in dialogue with the work of Rita Keegan. Five artists will be shortlisted: One artist will receive a £5,000 unrestricted bursary. Four artists will each receive a £500 Rita Keegan Foundation travel bursary to support research and practice-based development.
Deadline 02 March 2026
All Spaces Are Creative Spaces: Artist Residency Programme
Acrylicize is excited to announce a new paid artist residency programme, hosted at our home in East London, The Art House - running from 2nd March to 30th April 2026.
Who can apply: An artist living, working or studying within London. Working in wall-based art disciplines. Available to commit to the full residency period (full-time, 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday)
What you get: Full studio access at The Art House in East London. One-to-one mentoring from Acrylicize's curatorial and production teams. Opportunity to develop commissioned works. A public exhibition showcasing work created during the residency. Permenant placement of artworks in a private collection. £1,000 participation fee and £2,000 procurement fee. Professional documentation with photography and film coverage.
Deadline 13 February 2026
Southern Entrance at Springfield Village
AND London, on behalf of Barratt London, invites Expressions of Interest from UK-based creative practitioners to design, fabricate and install a landmark gateway for Springfield Village in Tooting. The gateway will create a welcoming, lockable entrance between Streatham Cemetery and the new 32-acre Springfield Park, reflecting local history, identity and values. The appointed practitioner will be expected to deliver meaningful local social impact through capacity building or community engagement.
Who can apply: We welcome interest from any relevant creative practitioners, designers, fabricators or metal workers who are: based in the UK (a connection to the London Borough of Wandsworth is desirable). Have the right to work in the UK. Be available for the duration of the project timeline. Hold valid Public Liability Insurance.
What you get: The total project budget is £70,000 + VAT. No design work is required at EOI stage. Three shortlisted artists will receive a £1,500 honorarium to develop proposals.
Deadline 27 February 2026
2 New Public Artwork Opportunities in Bermondsey
2 artworks are to be commissioned for a significant new development, The Bermondsey Project in Southwark, London. The project developer is Greystar Real Estate Partners, who are commissioning the new artworks.
Who can apply: Artwork #1: A highly technical artwork to produce and install, this is aimed at a Mid-Career established artist. The artist should have relevant past experience and so understand the demands of managing a commission of this scale. Artwork #2Both Emerging and Mid-Career artists are welcome to apply, however, we actively encourage applications from Emerging artists. Collectives and studios are also welcome to apply as a collaborative proposal. Close support will be provided for this commission from project teams –particularly with regards to any technical aspects of the commission. Artists nationwide are eligible, but all applicants are encouraged to highlight opportunities for local collaborations in artwork development and/or production. This may be with local artists and/or the wider community. Subcontractors and fabricators may be used for the production of the artwork. This should be made clear in the application, and provided an indicative budget in the Initial Proposal. We especially encourage applications from communities who are underrepresented in public art commissions, particularly those who identify as members of ethnic minority groups.
What you get: Money, mentoring, networking, marketing, publication opportunities. Artowrk #1 is 1. West Yard Sculpture: £210,000 (inc. artist fee, production budget, installation) Artwork #2 is 2. Wind Mitigation Artworks: £35,000 (inc. artist fee, production budget, installation)* *the artist is not responsible for the production or budget of the wind mitigation structures themselves. For more details, please see the open call brief in this advert.
Deadline 22 February 2026
HER. The Art of Multiplicity - Open Call for a Group Exhibition in London
Women artists are invited to apply for HER. The Art of Multiplicity, a curated group exhibition taking place during International Women’s Month in central London, celebrating layered identities and underrepresented voices across contemporary practice.
Who can apply
Women artists aged 18 or over, at any career stage, based in the UK or able to exhibit in London. Artists from global-majority and underrepresented communities are particularly encouraged to apply.
What you get
Selected artists will exhibit in a professionally curated, high-footfall London group exhibition, with marketing support, public programming, networking opportunities, and the option to sell work during the show.
Deadline 20 February 2026
Commission for New Artwork
A new commissioning opportunity for UK-based disabled artists. Apply now to create new work responding to urban barriers faced by disabled people, to be exhibited at UCL East.
Who can apply: UK-based disabled artists
What you get: £3000 artist fee (inclusive of all costs and materials). Exhibition at UCL, London in June 2026 Permanent display following the exhibit at the National Centre for Accessible Transport headquarters at Coventry University. Inclusion in the exhibit report and strategic vision document, published and circulated to policymakers and advocacy groups. Exhibit will be displayed at the high profile UCL East Atrium space (as pictured) Headphones will be available for visitors to experience auditory elements Digitisation of artworks for online dissemination. Profile raising through Coventry University’s networks, Shape Arts, Policy Connect, and partner organisations. Long-term opportunities as we expand the exhibit into a national programme.
Deadline 16 February 2026
House Work Presents The Residency 2026
A one-month interdisciplinary residency in August 2026 based in Hackney, East London, offering artists time, space, mentorship, and a professionally curated solo exhibition to support experimentation, dialogue, and creative exchange.
Who can apply:
Artists of all disciplines including visual arts, performance, writing, sound, and digital media. Open to applicants of any age, nationality, and career stage.
What you get:
Private accommodation, dedicated studio space, bespoke weekly mentorship, a solo exhibition, £200 production budget, professional development materials, and full visa support for international artists.
Deadline 01 March 2026
QEST Apprenticeship
QEST offers three grants for training, education and skills development to support makers and conservators at various career stages, strengthening the pipeline of talented craft professionals in the UK. We support contemporary and traditional craft, as well as the exploration of innovative techniques. We define craft as: the skilled making, by hand, of tangible objects, or the conservation/ restoration of such objects.
Since 1990, QEST has funded the training and education of almost 900 makers. Training can take many forms, from traditional college courses to vocational one-on-one tuition with a master craftsperson, or a bespoke programme of short courses. If you’re looking to develop your skills and have identified training that will enable you to advance your craft practice, then one of our grants may be for you.
These grants help enable a hands-on collaboration between a skilled master and a talented apprentice looking to start a career in craft. Focused on the transfer of expertise through practical workplace learning, the apprenticeship offers funding of up to £12,000. The grant is designed to supplement the apprentices wage over the course of the training.
QEST Emerging Maker Grant
QEST offers three grants for training, education and skills development to support makers and conservators at various career stages, strengthening the pipeline of talented craft professionals in the UK. We support contemporary and traditional craft, as well as the exploration of innovative techniques. We define craft as: the skilled making, by hand, of tangible objects, or the conservation/ restoration of such objects.
Since 1990, QEST has funded the training and education of almost 900 makers. Training can take many forms, from traditional college courses to vocational one-on-one tuition with a master craftsperson, or a bespoke programme of short courses. If you’re looking to develop your skills and have identified training that will enable you to advance your craft practice, then one of our grants may be for you.
For early-stage craftspeople, typically practicing for 4 years or less. These grants aim to support the next generation of craft professionals to develop core skills and techniques through essential training. Grants between £3,000 and £10,000 are available to applicants who show strong potential, a growing body of work and a commitment to progressing their craft.
QEST Scholarship
QEST offers three grants for training, education and skills development to support makers and conservators at various career stages, strengthening the pipeline of talented craft professionals in the UK. We support contemporary and traditional craft, as well as the exploration of innovative techniques. We define craft as: the skilled making, by hand, of tangible objects, or the conservation/ restoration of such objects.
For mid-career to established craftspeople to refine their craft, deepen their specialism or innovate. These grants support talented individuals to sustain vital skills through targeted training. Grants between £3,000 and £18,000 are available, plus a place on the Cockpit PDP. Applicants should have a high level of skill, a strong body of work and be aiming to elevate their craft further.
Collective Voices Exhibition 2nd Edition
Collective Voices is an exploration of the profound reasons behind artistic creation and the diverse methods employed by this group of artists. Through this exhibition, JustArt invites the public to engage with the dynamic connections forged between individuals through art—an expansive theme that resonates deeply with everyday life.
As the artworks converse with one another, we aim to redefine the essence and significance of the Collective, highlighting the transformative power of creativity in fostering connection and understanding among people.
Who can apply: Age 18+, Based UK or London, Emerging Artist or Mid-Career Artists, NO AI
What you get: Feature your work in a prominent gallery located in the heart of London. Connect with fellow artists, collectors, and the public. Participate in opening events, artist talks, and panel discussions. Gain visibility through JustArt’s social media campaigns and professional press release coverage, introducing the exhibition and participating artists Exhibition review will be included in the next issue of the JustArt Newspaper Club. JustArt will assist artists in selling their works during the exhibition and will not charge any commission fees. Social Media Exposure: Your work will be highlighted on our platforms - JustArt Collective Instagram, Artflow Instagram, Xiaohongshu, and website. (Over 4K+ viewers, we are a new art collective growing rapidly!)
Deadline 15 February 2026
The New English Art Club Open Call 2026
The New English Art Club (NEAC) invites artists worldwide, aged 18 and over, to submit artwork for the NEAC Annual Exhibition 2026 at Mall Galleries. The annual exhibition champions meaningful, observational art and offers emerging and established artists visibility within a historic and respected context.
Who can apply:
Open to artists wishing to submit work for consideration alongside members of the New English Art Club, including emerging and aspiring practitioners.
What you get:
Opportunity to exhibit alongside NEAC members, with eligibility for multiple prizes and awards worth over £10,000, including the NEAC Climate Emergency Prize.
Deadline 20 March 2026