Showcase your artwork in a unique art festival coming to Manchester city centre in 2021.

Be part of a stunning group exhibition at the Manchester Central Library and Nexus Art Cafe celebrating the scope and beauty of paper-based art. 

About Paper Festival

Paper Festival is a three-month public-facing art exhibition and series of events celebrating paper-based contemporary art. 

Collage, cut-outs, painting, print, text-based and interdisciplinary art will make up the varied exhibition on display across two main venues: Manchester Central Library main exbibition space and the Nexus Art Cafe. Artists have the opportunity to exhibit and sell their work at these reputable creative venues in the Manchester city centre. 

The festival will be immersive, bold, colourful and playful to be enjoyed by adults and families. Get involved and apply today!

The Artwork

I’m looking for artwork that is bold, playful and defies expectations. It can be any medium or combination of mediums, including collage, print, painting, sculpture and interdisciplinary art, as long as paper is a key feature of your piece(s).

​I’m particularly interested in featuring artwork that is interactive, immersive, really big or really small, or a series.

Who can take part

Any artist who is currently based in the UK and can deliver artwork to Greater Manchester by 31st August can take part. ​Artwork will be selected based on quality of the proposal and previous artwork, plus how much it meets the criteria above.

It is free to apply and artists will only need to cover postage costs of their artwork to and from the venue if their work is chosen.

How to apply

Simply fill in the application form to tell me what you'd like to include in the exhibition. (The artwork does not need to have been created at the time you submit your application form.)

Deadline for applications: 30th June

Deadline for artwork: 31st August

There will also the opportunity to take part in public-facing events in the exhibition space.