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Open Call For Emerging Artists
This Open Call invites young artists to participate in an exhibition at Europe House’s 12 Star Gallery in London, with artworks related to the theme of cross-cultural narratives of exchange. The exhibition will explore themes of (social, physical, temporal) (dis)connection, proximity and distance.
Selected works will be showcased at the 12 Star Gallery in Europe House, London, in December 2025 – spring 2026. The exhibition is part of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU.
Eligibility: Open to UK based EU, EEA and UK nationals, currently enrolled in or recently graduated from EU or UK higher education in art and fine art.
What you get: This is an opportunity to showcase your work in Central London, with support and network of the European Parliament Liaison Office in the UK, the Embassy of Denmark in the UK, and curatorial collective Kollektiv Collective; to gain exposure through institutional and public audiences and to connect with peers, curators, and cultural professionals. A stipend and transport support will be provided to selected artists.
London Photo Show
By entering your prints in the London Photo Show, you get your own space within the exhibition at the gallery that is visited by thousands of people.
Eligibility: Anyone
What you get: We will take care of hanging your work. Your work will be exhibited for the duration of the show and you are invited to the opening party with your friends and family. The exhibition will host around 30 photographers in a fantastic gallery next to Hoxton station.
Entry fee: £355
The New Emergence Art Prize 2025
The New Emergence Art Prize 2025 is open to artists worldwide, has no set theme and welcomes all media. We want to champion emerging artists with meaningful recognition.
Eligibility:
Artists worldwide, no restrictions
What you get:
£1,000 Main Award
NG Art Creative Residency: Emerging Artist Award (2 week residency in Provence, France)
The Staedtler Award (£350+ worth of Staedtler products)
The Daler-Rowney Prize (£250 worth of Daler-Rowney materials)
The New Emergence Art Founder’s Prize (£150)
The GreatArt Prize (£75 worth of GreatArt materials)
Entry fees: £15 for 1 artwork; £25 for 2 artworks; £30 for 3 artworks.
Deadline 19 October 2025
Organiser: New Emergence Art
Locations: International, Online
Apply for the Royal Academy Schools Post-Graduate Programme
The RA Schools provides a postgraduate education in contemporary art practice. Committed to wide access to art education; we charge no fees. We seek candidates who demonstrate merit and the potential for growth. We provide the practical and intellectual territory for art making underpinned with generous and productive criticality. The school’s place within the Royal Academy of Arts provides exceptional conditions to flourish.
Eligibility:
This is a post-graduate programme. We do not accept applications from students with an existing Masters degree in Fine Art / MFA degree.
This restriction also includes any equivalent Level 7 qualification in any area of Fine Art or Contemporary Art Practice.
There is no upper age limit for candidates. The current age range of artists in the RA Schools is from early 20s to late 40s.
What you get:
A three year post-graduate programme. There are between 10-17 places per year.
There are no course fees. Successful applicants are typically provided with an annual bursary of no less than £4,000 per academic year.
We also contribute to the costs of some consumable materials through our Workshops.
Deadline 20 October 2025
Organiser: the Royal Academy of Arts
Locations: United Kingdom
Royal Institute of Oil Painters
Artists are invited to submit work for exhibition alongside members of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters at the ROI Annual Exhibition 2025
The Royal Institute of Oil Painters was founded in 1882 and is the only major British art society that promotes and exhibits work of the highest standard exclusively in oil paint.
The ROI Annual Exhibition features work by many exciting emerging painters alongside the work of more established names.
Works on a Theme: HOME
This year’s special theme is ‘HOME’ – for which The ROI Themed Painting Prize is on offer to the best interpretation. However the theme is optional, one aspect of a larger exhibition, to which oil paintings of all subjects are welcome.
Successful applicants can expect:
• To have their selected work included in the ROI Annual Exhibition at Mall Galleries, in the gallery, and online
• Eligibility to win prizes and awards
• An invitation to the Private View
• The chance to sell their work
• To be part of a network of exhibiting artists dating back to 1882 when the ROI was founded
• The possibility of election to membership (for more information about becoming a member, please visit the ROI website)
Submissions are ONLINE ONLY and open until Friday 10 October 2025
Please note that, as of this year, all work by submitting artists must be for sale.
Turn Your Art into Income: Odd Wall Open Call
Artists are invited to submit work for exclusive prints, with all marketing, production, and delivery managed on their behalf. This zero-cost opportunity offers a straightforward way to generate passive income, with monthly earnings paid directly to the artist.
Who can apply: Open to everyone
What you get:
Free participation with no costs, professional printing and optional framing of your work, marketing and representation through Odd Wall’s channels, full customer support and delivery, plus 50% commission on every sale paid monthly.
Deadline 31 October 2025
Organiser: Odd Wall, based in London, available worldwide
The Pastel Society Annual Exhibition 2026
Artists are invited to submit work in pastel and other dry media for the Pastel Society’s 127th Annual Exhibition, proudly sponsored by Caran d’Ache.
This call welcomes artists working with pastel, pencil, charcoal, crayon, chalk and beyond. The exhibition seeks bold, inventive and expressive work that challenges preconceptions about pastel and dry media, and celebrates their creative potential today.
At the heart of the show is the direct touch of dry media. As the Society notes, “the joy of dry media is its ability to transmit feeling through the hand directly onto paper. The touch is evident and powerful.”
Who can apply:
Artists aged 18 or over, anywhere in the world. Work must be recent (within two years), under 2.4m, and not previously shown at Mall Galleries.
Acceptable media:
All types of pastel including soft pastel, hard pastel, oil pastel, ink pastel, water-based pastel, conté crayons or sticks, sanguine, and other dry mediums that are similar in their application including charcoal, chalk, and pencil. Mixed media and three-dimensional works are welcome where pastel or another dry media is the primary medium.
What you get:
• Inclusion in the exhibition at Mall Galleries and online
• The opportunity to win prizes and awards
• An invitation to the Private View
• The chance to sell work to new collectors
• Being part of a network of exhibiting artists dating back to 1898
• The possibility of election to membership
Deadline 14 November 2025
Organiser: Mall Galleries and The Pastel Society, London
Locations: United Kingdom
Public Art Installation in Catford - OPEN CALL
Overview
The London Borough of Lewisham is seeking an artist or collective to create a site-specific artwork for two selected shopfronts in Catford. This initiative aims to enhance the vibrancy and visibility of the area, celebrate local identity, and support creative placemaking in partnership with the community and local businesses.
The installation and selection process will be managed by SHAPESLewisham, celebrating the cultural and creative sector across Lewisham.
Objectives
• Enhance the visual appeal of the shopfront and contribute to Catford’s evolving character
• Celebrate the cultural, historical, and social identity of the local area
• Foster a sense of pride and ownership among residents and business owners
• Support economic vitality by increasing footfall and engaging new audience
Project Scope
• Location: Specific shopfront on Catford Broadway in Catford
• Medium: Could include mural work, vinyl graphics or mixed media approaches suitable for exterior public display
• Duration: Artwork should be durable and remain in place for a minimum of 12 months
• Any design including images of people, particularly those that are identifiable, political or offensive messaging will be automatically rejected
Artist Expectations
• Knowledge of or interest in Catford’s cultural and social history
• Ability to develop a bold, engaging concept that connects with passers-by
• Ability to install artwork to a high standard, that will be durable for 12 months
• Must be a Lewisham based artist and be part of the SHAPESLewisham network If not yet registered, please register here: https://www.shapeslewisham.co.uk/register/
Budget
· Total budget of £1500 per shop front (inclusive of artist fee, materials, installation, and any engagement activities)
Selection Criteria
• Artistic quality, originality and clarity of concept
• Connection to the local context of Catford
• Feasibility and durability of your proposal
• Whether the artist is new to Catford Broadway (i.e. not already publicly exhibited there)
Timeline
Open call release: 27/08/25
Deadline for submissions: 01/10/25
Artist selected: 10/10/25
Installation: 17/10/25
How to Apply
Please send the following to info@shapeslewisham.co.uk in a PDF format:
• Your CV or artist bio
• A short artist statement (200–300 words) about your practice and connection to Catford
• A proposal including:
- Concept sketch or visual references
- Detailed explanation of install process and how you will make the artwork durable
- Budget breakdown
THE F WORD Open Call
We are inviting submissions from artists who are exploring the depth, diversity, and power of what it means to be a woman and a creative voice in the world today. How do you engage with femininity as a concept, and what does it mean to you?
This exhibition aims to uplift and highlight the work of artists who are often underrepresented in the arts. We welcome creatives working in all mediums - including painting, sculpture, photography, digital art, performance, installation, and more.
What We're Looking For:
Work that explores themes of identity, gender, empowerment, community, or personal narrative
Submissions from women, trans, and non-binary artists
Emerging and mid-career artists
Autumn / Winter Exhibition
The first month runs alongside Beyond from the Olive Collective in Firepit's Red Room an exhibition exploring the stages of Menopause.
Deadline: September 20th 2025
Exhibition Dates: Opening Night October 9th. Exhibition runs until Jan 31st 2026
Location: Main Gallery Space Firepit Gallery. London UK
Co Curated by Anne-Marie Bickerton and Amy-Rose Edlyn. With full support from the Firepit Team.
There is no fee to apply. We are committed to inclusivity and providing a supportive and respectful space for all participants.
If you would prefer to respond in a video or audio format instead of this written form, please email us a link to a file no longer than 4minutes at info@firepit.art
Open Call | Unveiled: Stories Behind The Silence | Firepit Art Gallery
“Unveiled: Stories Behind the Silence” is a powerful exhibition revealing the hidden stories of domestic violence survivors — from pain and isolation to strength, healing, and hope.
The exhibition is designed to guide visitors through the full emotional spectrum that survivors may experience on their path to recovery.
This project aims to raise funds for Solace, a London-based charity that supports over 30,000 women and children each year in building lives free from abuse.
Eligibility: We are looking for artworks that reveal stories usually hidden behind a smile, pieces that express one or more emotions experienced during the healing journey. These may include fear, embarrassment, loneliness, vulnerability, courage, hope, empowerment, vitality, or others.
What you get: Reveal a story hidden behind the smile, make it visible, and inspire those currently suffering from domestic violence to believe in the possibility of living a different life
ArtWorks Open Prize Award Show
Fine artists working in 2D and 3D media are invited to submit work for the ArtWorks Open Prize Award Show. This annual platform supports emerging and mid-career UK artists, awarding cash prizes, exhibitions, and residencies. With Joseph and Piper as selectors, the 2025 show will likely showcase diverse, socially engaged art that foregrounds identity, dialogue, and impact.
As leading figures in contemporary Black British art, with early roots in movements such as the BLK Art Group and the Institute of International Visual Arts, they bring decades of critical engagement and visual innovation. Their curatorial approach suggests a focus on cultural identity, political critique, multimedia complexity, and social justice.
Who can apply:
All fine artists working in 2D and 3D media; emerging and mid-career UK-based artists
What you get:
Cash prizes, exhibitions, and residencies
The opportunity to have your work selected by Joseph and Piper, influential voices in contemporary Black British art
Inclusion in a high-profile annual show that foregrounds identity, dialogue, and social engagement
Fee:
£12 for one work; £24 for two works; £33 for three works; £40 for four works
IMAGINED WORLDS: Artist Open Call
Lewisham Libraries invites artists to explore the boundless realms of imagination for our sci-fi and fantasy season, Imagined Worlds.
What are your imagined worlds?
Fantasy realms • Dystopian futures • Utopian societies • Alien landscapes • Parallel dimensions • Dream states • Mythical kingdoms • Digital realities • Underwater cities • Sky worlds • Time-warped spaces • Memory places
We're seeking original and thought-provoking art pieces in any media that:
- Challenges conventional reality and pushes creative boundaries
- Presents unique perspectives on alternate worlds and societies
- Demonstrates personal artistic vision
- Invite viewers to question, wonder, and imagine - Address social, environmental, or philosophical themes through fantastical lens
- Create dialogue about our relationship with reality and possibility
Exhibition Details:
17 NOVEMBER 2025
• THE LIBRARY AT DEPTFORD LOUNGE
Open to all artists - emerging and established
No submission fee
Open Call Deadline: 30th September 2025
Royal Institute of Oil Painters Open Call Now Open
The Royal Institute of Oil Painters (ROI) invites artists worldwide, aged 18 and over, to submit artwork for the ROI Annual Exhibition 2025 at Mall Galleries.
Submission deadline: Friday 10 October 2025 at 12 noon.
This year’s special theme is ‘HOME’ – with the ROI Themed Painting Prize awarded for the best interpretation. However, the theme is optional and represents just one aspect of a broader exhibition, which welcomes oil paintings on all subjects.
Eligibility:
Artists worldwide may enter a maximum of six artworks each.
The combined total of the longest dimensions of accepted paintings must not exceed 8 feet per artist.
Works must have been completed within the last three years and not previously exhibited at Mall Galleries.
Works must be created in oils. The ROI promotes and exhibits work of the highest standard in oil paint.
Water-soluble oil paint is acceptable if framed as an oil painting, to maintain the overall appearance of the exhibition.
What you get:
Take part in the ROI Annual Exhibition 2025 at Mall Galleries (27 Nov – 13 Dec 2025) With a total prize fund exceeding £10,000.
BADA Art Prize 2025
The BADA is proud to announce that the BADA Art Prize is returning for a fifth year, promoting “the antiques of tomorrow” by awarding a £1,000 grant to an emerging contemporary artist whose work exemplifies the enduring ingenuity and quality illustrated by our members’ objects.
Eligibility: Applicants must be currently enrolled in or have completed a post-secondary education at a UK institution. Submissions must be original works produced within the last 2 years. Beyond this, there are no criteria - all medium and styles are welcome.
What you get: Finalists will be selected by a panel of industry experts, including internationally recognised artists, art critics, and curators. The finalists' works will be on public view at the BADA Art Prize reception on 13th November 2025 at David Messum Fine Art in London and the winner announced at the event. The winner will be awarded a £1,000 grant.
The British Art Prize 2025
Artists & Illustrators is delighted to be back with The British Art Prize 2025. Enter for the chance to win some fabulous prizes, have your work exhibited at TWO major London galleries and featured in Artists & Illustrators magazine.
This major international art competition is back with bigger prizes, broader exposure, and even more ways to get your work seen by thousands of art lovers, collectors, and curators.
Eligibility: Open to everyone – whether you’re an amateur, emerging, or professional artist – all styles, media* and techniques will be considered.
*AI art will not be considered.
What you get: A prize fund worth more than £10,000 which includes cash, art materials and a solo show at Panter & Hall's Cecil Court gallery. Winners and finalists will also feature in a special 10-page editorial in Artists & Illustrators, the UK's best-selling art magazine.
All shortlisted artworks will be showcased at an exhibition at gallery@oxo from 26-30 November 2025 in London. Shortlisted artists will also be invited to a prestigious private view reception on 27 November 2025 alongside artists, collectors, and other VIP guests.
Mural Fund Small Grants
The Abbey Harris Mural Fund makes grants to artists to create semi-permanent or permanent public murals or site specific works on walls, in any medium, in the United Kingdom.
Eligibility: Mural painters
What you get: Funding of up to £7000 is available for an artist or organisation producing a public mural in the UK
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