Are you a textile artist? Do you sew, knit or crochet? Submit your work to our textile art open call! We’re open to textile art work of any kind so come down and get involved. It’s an excellent opportunity for you to get your work exhibited Submissions open until 28th September. £10 entry per submitted artwork. Work exhibited from 8th- 31st October 2026 One artist will be selected by our Community Gallery Board to be offered a solo show in 2027- details TBC by mutual agreement.

The Bureau Centre for the Arts has a small gallery in the building where we exhibit a range of touring shows, group shows, open calls and individual shows from local and emerging artists.

This is our first textiles open call and we intend to hold one each year in October to co-incide with the British Textiles Biennial (next one in 2027).

All forms of textile art are accepted for submission, but we may not be able to show all pieces depending on size and quantity of applications.

Submission fees must be paid in order for a piece to be considered. 

Artists will be contacted regarding the payment of the submission fee.

Submission fees will not be returned if pieces are not selected.

Submission deadline: Monday 28th September.

The artist will be notified if their work has been selected or not by Weds 30th September and all work must be delivered in person during opening hours on Thurs 1st, Fri 2nd or Sat 3rd October.

The opening night will be on Thursday 8th October 6-8pm

The Bureau will take 40% commission on any sales made during the exhibition.

The exhibition runs until 31st October and all works will need to be collected 5th, 6th or 7th November during opening hours.

We reserve the right not to accept any work that we feel is unsuitable for our environment and audiences.

About The Bureau Centre for the Arts

The Bureau Centre for the Arts is an Independent Grassroots Artist-led Organisation that ethically partners with Artists, Communities, Local Authorities, and other bodies in Lancashire, nationally, and internationally.

We have no core funding but rely on funding bids, donations and income from ticketed events, workshops and room hire.

We are led by a core of three directors and a changing team of freelancers, working together to create positive change in the town, based in The Bureau’s home on Exchange St.

The Bureau runs a full programme of multi-disciplinary events, exhibitions, workshops, activities and social groups over three days Thursdays to Saturdays.  

The Bureau Centre for the Arts CIC (not for profit) was set up on 10th March 2015 as an independent, grassroots, artist led, community Arts Centre to be a creative home and hub for the people of Blackburn.

For 11 years we have provided a space for arts activities, exhibitions, performances, music, cultural events and community participation.

We have regular weekly activities, plus exciting one off events that create a full programme of accessible arts experiences and opportunities for all to enjoy.

We offer a broad range of opportunities for people to engage in arts and culture, which is innovative, relevant to contemporary issues and to our surrounding communities.

We will support the existing creative community, welcome new collaborators and support people to reach their full potential .

We are a place for people from the different & diverse communities of Blackburn (particularly those who historically face barriers to participation) to experience, share and create art and culture.

The team are passionate about affecting change within the borough in terms of the arts available to people, people’s perceptions of what the arts are for, and the benefits gained by their engagement.

We are experienced socially engaged artists, educators and producers who work alongside other freelance artists and facilitators and an active team of local volunteers and work experience students.

We hold exhibitions of local and emerging artists’ work, and host theatre, poetry and music performances.

We have studio, workshop and meeting spaces to hire.

We are a place to meet, a place to connect, a place to learn, a place to experiment, a place to perform, a place to shine, a place to exhibit, a place to make a difference!

Ethos and operation

The Bureau is run by a collective of local freelance creative practitioners, collaborating to create a safe, engaging, creative community space with a broad range of activities and opportunities.

The organisation aims to be non- hierarchical, with the team of staff members sharing responsibilities, a flat pay scale, consensus decision-making amongst the team through WhatsApp and team meetings and a DIY culture and co-operative mindset.

We take a strong ethical stance both on the suppliers we use and the content we share, choosing to try to amplify the voices of those who find it harder to be heard; as well as the way we operate as an organisation..

We are still very much on our journey and are constantly seeking to refine and improve how we operate together.