CuratorSpace | Project management tools for curators and artists
CuratorSpace | Project management tools for curators and artists

2026 LEEDS SUMMER GROUP SHOW

Deadline: 17/04/2026

City: Leeds  |  Region: West Yorkshire  |  Country: United Kingdom  |  Courtney Spencer

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Leeds Summer Group Show 2026 – Open Call for UK based artists

Established in 2015, the Leeds Summer Group Show is an annual exhibition celebrating visual arts talent from across the UK.

We’re delighted to return to Leeds Playhouse for this year’s edition. The exhibition will run from 1-31 May 2026 and will be part of Situation Leeds (a city-wide arts festival 11- 24 May).

This year’s show will be an eclectic presentation of pre-existing, wall-based artworks. There is no theme, but all works must be suitable for hanging on the venue’s existing hanging system and suitable for a public, family-friendly environment. Please refer to the FAQs for details.

Submission Guidelines:

  • You may submit up to 5 individual works. Diptychs, triptychs etc. can count as one submission if photographed and priced as a single piece.

  • All image files must be submitted as JPEGs, suitable for inclusion in the online catalogue. Please photograph your work against a plain wall and crop to minimise the background where possible.

  • We encourage artists to price their work. A 50% commission will be taken on any sales, so please factor this into your pricing.

  • Collectors will cover the cost of postage and packaging. We will handle all invoicing, payments, packaging and shipping. Artists whose work sells will be asked to invoice us when the exhibition ends, and will receive prompt payment. 


By submitting, you are giving us permission for your work to be used in promotional materials and on the website, should your work be selected.

Submission fee:

£12. This fee helps cover admin and exhibition costs. 

If the fee is a barrier to applying, please get in touch.

Key Dates:

  • Deadline for submissions: Friday 17 April at midnight (BST)

  • Notification of outcome: evening of  20 April  (via CuratorSpace)

  • Delivery of selected work: Saturday 25 April, 9 am–1 pm to Leeds Playhouse 

  • Private View: Thursday 30 April, 6-8 pm at Level 1, Terrace Bar at Leeds Playhouse

  • Collection of unsold works: Monday, 1 June, 12-7 pm from Leeds Playhouse. Please note that works may be sent via courier in advance of the show, though we cannot return works via courier, and these will need to be collected by the artist or a representative. 


Please read the FAQ section thoroughly before submitting, and follow the formatting examples provided in the form, as this information will be used on the name labels. 

All communications will be managed through CuratorSpace, so please check your account regularly or set up email alerts to avoid missing updates.

This exhibition is curated by Courtney Spencer in partnership with Leeds Playhouse.

Submission fees

The following submission fees apply to this opportunity.

  • 2026 Leeds Summer Group Show - 12.00 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
When is the deadline?
All submissions must be received by midnight (BST) on Friday, 17 April. Please submit ahead of this to avoid any last-minute technical issues as we cannot accept any late submissions.
How many works can I submit?
You can submit up to 5 pieces of work. Please ensure you upload a photo of each piece. By doing so you confirm you own the rights to the image and consent to us using the image/s and details of the images on the website, social media and online marketing materials in relation to the exhibition.
When is the delivery date?
All work must be delivered to Leeds Playhouse on Saturday 25 April between 9am and 1pm.

If using a courier all parcels must be marked FOA Courtney Spencer, Leeds Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7UP and must be received at the venue by Sat 25 April. Please note we are unable to courier unsold works back to artists so they must be collected in person.
When do I need to collect my work?
All work will need to be collected from Leeds Playhouse on Monday, 1 June between 12 noon and 7 pm.

Please note that we are unable to courier unsold works back to artists and are unable to store work beyond this time period. Unsold works left on-site will be disposed of.
How much does it cost?
There is a submission fee of £12 to contribute towards expenses and admin associated with putting on the exhibition.
Does my work need to have specific fixings for your hanging system?
Yes, all work must be fitted with D rings. We are using a hanging system so need to be able to put your work on two hooks via D rings.

IMPORTANT: If works are not ready to hang they won't be able to be accepted and will not be included in the exhibition. Those selected to be part of the exhibition will receive further details about D rings.

Please note that works must be no taller than 2m and weigh less than 10kg.
Is this a selling show?
Yes, we encourage you to price your work as this is a selling show. A 50% commission will be taken so please account for this in your pricing. You can price your work or state that it is not for sale (NFS). Price on application (POA) will not be used.

All works that are for sale will be listed with the price plus postage and packing.

Courtney Spencer will take all sales enquiries and invoice collectors. Once payment is received from the collector, she will ask the artists to send their invoice and will arrange prompt payment to the artist.
Is there a private view / opening?
The Level 1, Terrace Bar at Leeds Playhouse will be open on Thursday 30 April for an informal opening event between 6 and 8pm. Artists and guests are invited to buy a drink and meet one another at the show.
What are the exhibition opening hours?
The exhibition is open 1 - 31 May (the building is open Mon - Sat, 10 am - 6 pm)
Does the location have disabled access?
Yes Leeds Playhouse is accessible throughout, it has accessible toilets and Changing Places toilets are accessible with a radar key that is available via the Box Office.
Do I need to be invigilate at the venue?
Box Office staff will be available to answer queries and assist visitors. Artists are not required to invigilate the exhibition, there is no invigilation as such.
Do I need to insure my own work?
It is the responsibility of the artist to cover their work by insurance if they choose to. Artworks will not be covered by the insurance held by Courtney Spencer or Leeds Playhouse.
How do you decide on proposals?
A selection panel made up of curators, artists and industry professionals review the submissions to make a final selection. Please note that if upon receiving the work, the curator feels the work is not suitable for the exhibition, she can choose not to show the work.
What happens if my proposal is chosen?
You will be notified via CuratorSpace on the evening of 20 April. If your work/s have been selected you will be given additional details about about fixings for hanging your work, drop off and collection of work, a bespoke graphic to help promote the exhibition to your networks, and the curator can answer any questions you may have.
Are there any limits as to the type of work you're looking for?
We can only accept wall-based works. Individual pieces must not exceed 2m in height and weigh no more than 10kg. All works should be suitable for a public space that is family-friendly.

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