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Bankley Gallery Open Call 2025

Deadline: 07/09/2025

City: Levenshulme, Manchester  |  Region: Greater Manchester  |  Country: United Kingdom  |  Bankley Studios + Gallery

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Bankley’s much-anticipated annual Open Call exhibition is back! We are excited to invite submissions for our headline show taking place in October.

Bankley Open 2025 – Call for Submissions

Bankley’s annual Open Call exhibition returns this October, and we’re inviting artists from across the UK and beyond to submit work for inclusion in our headline group show. We welcome entries from artists at any stage of their career, whether emerging, mid-career, or established.

We are open to all creative disciplines and encourage submissions from a wide range of practices. This includes traditional forms such as painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, and photography, as well as contemporary and interdisciplinary approaches like performance, installation, gaming, virtual or augmented reality, and sound art. 

Approximately 15 artists will be selected by a panel of esteemed judges—respected curators and professionals actively working within the contemporary arts sector. Since our inception, our judging panels have included individuals affiliated with some of the most prestigious institutions in the UK. 

The First Prize includes a £300 cash award and a solo exhibition at Bankley Studios & Gallery in 2026.

Entry Guidelines

  • Submit up to two artworks, with up to four images per piece

  • Include title, medium, year, and size for each work

  • Entry fee: £10 (non-refundable; submissions without payment will not be considered)


Key Dates

  • Submission deadline: 7 September (midnight)

  • Selection notifications: 15 September

  • Artwork drop-off: 22 & 29 September (designated Manchester location)

  • Exhibition preview & awards: 10 October, 6–9 pm

  • Exhibition dates: 10–26 October

  • Artwork collection: 27–30 October


This is a fantastic opportunity to build your professional profile, reach new audiences, and present your work in a dedicated exhibition space. We strongly encourage applications from artists of all backgrounds and practices.

Opportunity Summary:

The selected artist will receive a £300 cash prize and a solo exhibition at Bankley Gallery, located in Levenshulme, Manchester.

No commission will be taken on any sales made during the exhibition.

The artist will also benefit from promotion by our media team. 

Follow us on Instagram: @bankleygallery

Important:
After submitting your first artwork, you will then be directed to make a payment. After you have made the payment, you will then be able to submit your second artwork. 

Submission fees

The following submission fees apply to this opportunity.

  • Submission Fee - 10.00 GBP

The appropriate fee will be payable using a debit or credit card after the first submission has been completed. If the submission fee allows you to submit more than once, you will be able to make further submissions after the first. Contact the curator if you have any questions about the opportunity or the submission fee, or email help@curatorspace.com if you have any questions about the payment process.

Make a submission Contact the curator
Who is eligible for this opportunity?
We are open to all creative disciplines and encourage submissions across a broad spectrum of artistic practices. This includes, but is not limited to, painting, performance, poetry, dance, writing, video, gaming, and sound art. Whether your work is rooted in traditional methods or explores emerging and hybrid forms, we’re interested in seeing how you express ideas through different media. We welcome diverse approaches and are particularly keen to showcase work that challenges boundaries and reflects the evolving nature of contemporary art.
When is the deadline?
7th September 2025.
How many works can I submit?
You can enter up to TWO artworks. Include up to four images of each, and a brief description if desired. Please also include information on the medium, year and size.
When is the delivery date?
Delivery of exhibiting artworks: 22nd & 29th of September to designated pickup location near Bankley Gallery.
Is there a private view / opening?
Exhibition opening night and awards ceremony: 10 Oct, 6-9 pm
Exhibition running: 10th - 26th October
What publicity will be provided as part of the opportunity?
Selected artists will benefit from a dedicated publicity campaign led by Bankley Studios & Gallery’s media team. In the lead-up to the exhibition, promotion will take place across our website, newsletter, and social media platforms, as well as through the extended networks of our committee and artist co-operative. This is a valuable opportunity to raise your profile, engage new audiences, and have your work seen by a wide community of art professionals, collectors, and the public.
Delivery of artwork
In preparation for mounting the show, please make provisions to deliver or send your work to the Gallery. We are a volunteer-led space and not permanently manned- therefore, we ask all artists to either hand deliver or arrange the works to be sent to the drop-off point.

In order to pass through the doorway and up the stairs, the maximum length of its smallest side must be no greater than 180cm. And the max length of its longest side must be no greater than 210cm. Please contact us if you have any questions about this.
When do I need to collect my work?
Collection of exhibiting artworks: between 27 - 30th of October
Payment
A non-refundable entry fee of £10 is required to submit work for consideration. Applications will not be considered unless full payment has been received by the deadline.

If you would prefer to make a bank transfer, let us know.

Bankley Studios + Gallery will not take a commission from the sale of any artwork during the exhibition.
Terms & Conditions
By submitting an application to Bankley Open 2025, applicants agree to the following conditions:
Availability of Artwork: Artists confirm that any submitted work will be available for the full duration of the exhibition, as stated in the application form.

Delivery & Collection: Artists are fully responsible for the delivery and collection of any selected work(s). Shipping arrangements and costs are the responsibility of the artist.

Use of Images: By entering, artists give permission for Bankley Studios & Gallery to use images of their submitted work for promotional purposes related to Bankley Open 2025, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Original Work: All submitted artworks must be the artist’s own original creation. By applying, artists confirm they hold full moral and intellectual property rights to the work.

Sales & Commission: Artwork may be available for sale during the exhibition. Bankley Studios & Gallery does not charge commission on any sales.

Insurance: While every care will be taken, Bankley Studios & Gallery cannot accept liability for any loss or damage to artworks during the exhibition. Artists are advised to arrange their own insurance if required.

Use of Entry Fees: All entry fees and proceeds go directly towards funding the prizes, promotion, and delivery of Bankley Open 2025. Any surplus funds are reinvested into Bankley Studios & Gallery to support the ongoing exhibition programme.

Judging Panel: While all judges have confirmed their participation, Bankley Studios & Gallery reserves the right to amend the panel under exceptional circumstances.

Presentation Requirements:
2D works must be ready to hang, with clear installation instructions provided.
3D and time-based works (sculpture, installation, video, projection, etc.) must include full technical requirements and be arranged in advance.

Size Restrictions: Please note that access to the gallery is limited. To pass through doorways and up the stairs, the smallest side of the work must not exceed 180cm, and the longest side must not exceed 210cm. If you have concerns or special requirements, please contact us before submitting.

Thank you for your interest in Bankley Open 2025—we look forward to seeing your work!
Key Dates
Key Dates

Submission deadline: 7 September (midnight)

Selection notifications: 15 September

Artwork drop-off: 22 & 29 September (designated Manchester location)

Exhibition preview & awards: 10 October, 6–9 pm

Exhibition dates: 10–26 October

Artwork collection: 27–30 October

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