Open Call Exhibitions

At Creatives Now, our Open Call Exhibitions are an invitation to artists at every stage of their practice to share work in a welcoming, inclusive space. We believe exhibition opportunities should be accessible, generous and responsive to the world around us.

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Responding to the Moment

Our open calls centre on topical and thought-provoking themes. Recent exhibitions have explored:

• Biodiversity

• Home

• Everyday Intimacies

• Digital Innovation

• Sanctuary

• Belonging

 

Each theme is designed to spark conversation, encourage experimentation and create meaningful connections between artists and audiences.

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Belonging Is a Social Construct

Our exhibition Belonging Is a Social Construct extended beyond the gallery walls into live literary and cultural conversation.

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The programme featured a reading and Q&A with poet Andrew McMillan, whose work explores identity, masculinity and place. The evening created space for reflection on how belonging is shaped by community, geography and shared experience.

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The exhibition also included an in-conversation event with Hugh Sheenan discussing his The Bolton 7 podcast for BBC Sounds. The discussion examined storytelling, representation and how narratives of belonging are constructed and contested.

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Both events were hosted by journalist Hadley Stewart, whose thoughtful facilitation deepened audience engagement and dialogue.

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No Fee. No Barriers.

There is no fee to enter our open calls.
We are committed to finding space for all contributors and work hard to ensure every selected artist has the opportunity to share their work.

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We regularly draw submissions from local, regional and national artists, creating exhibitions that reflect a rich range of perspectives and practices.

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Celebrating Artists

Each exhibition is marked with a preview event, bringing together artists, audiences and partners to celebrate the work on display.

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We also invite school and college groups to visit and meet resident artists, creating valuable opportunities for young people to engage directly with contemporary practice.

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Alongside this, our art groups meet in the gallery to respond creatively to the exhibitions — through discussion, making and shared reflection — ensuring the work continues to generate dialogue beyond the walls.

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Host Your Own Exhibition

Creatives Now also welcomes artists, collectives and community groups who wish to mount their own exhibitions in our space. If you have a proposal, we’d love to hear from you.

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Our Open Call Exhibitions are about openness in every sense — open themes, open doors and open conversations. Whether you’re an emerging artist, an established practitioner or part of a creative group, we invite you to be part of the programme.