The Fronteer Open is an independent exhibition and art prize based in Sheffield, sponsored by Curatorspace.

The Fronteer Open is an annual art prize and exhibition for UK based artists. The open call has no theme and artists can submit work on any subject they like. There is a Judges’ Choice Prize and People’s Choice Prize, both of which give the winners a chance to have an exhibition at Fronteer Gallery in 2024, plus a one year Artist Membership on the Curatorspace website for each prize winner.

The exhibition will run for three weeks in November 2023, across both spaces at Fronteer, Sheffield. The exhibition will run from 1st November – 18th November.

Work in any medium is welcome, although we regret that we are unable to accept audio or video work. Wall hanging work should be no bigger than 60cm across any one side (including frames and mounts), and 3D work should be able to stand on a 30x30cm plinth or smaller.

There will be a private view on Tuesday 31st October and a prize evening and closing event on Saturday 18th November.

It is free to submit, with successful artists paying a £35 fee.

UK based artists from all backgrounds are invited to submit 1 piece of work along with 150 words about the work. This text will not be displayed alongside your work, only the artists name, title, medium, and price (if offered for sale) will be on the wall text.

The submission deadline is Sunday 1st October 2023. Successful artists will be contacted by 6th October.

Successful artists can deliver work in person on our drop off days on Sunday 22nd and Monday 23rd October.

If you would like to send your work by post, successful artists should send it between 13th – 21st October. Where possible work should be sent by Royal Mail or Parcelforce, rather than a courier service.

If you have any issues with these dates please contact us before applying.

Work can be offered for sale during the exhibition, and there is a commission charge of 10%.

Please contact us if you have any questions.

How to Submit

UK based artists are invited to submit ONE piece of work.

UK based artists should have a UK postal address and bank account.

Work can be 2D or 3D, though unfortunately we cannot accept video or audio works. Works which require hanging must be ready to hang with mirror plates or picture wire/cord already attached.

Wall hanging work should be no bigger than 60 cm across any one side, which strictly includes frames and mounts. 3D work must be able to safely stand on a plinth measuring 30x30 or smaller, although work can be any height. Work which is too big (including frames and mounts) will be rejected.

The title and price will be taken from your Curatorspace submission as you have written it and cannot be changed after the submission deadline.

Please submit up to 3 images of your work, one image showing the finished piece of work including the frame (if it will be exhibited as a framed piece of work), and two further images to show detail if needed.

Work should be collected from the gallery after the Awards evening on Saturday 18th November, or during our next exhibition between 29th November – 20th December.

If you would like your work returning to you by post please be aware that we charge a small handling fee of £4 on top of the price of postage. If work is small enough you are welcome to include a stamped addressed envelope for return postage which will incur no further charge. Due to the busy Christmas postage period it may take longer for your work to be returned to you.

Please note, the gallery is upstairs and unfortunately there is no disabled access.

All work must be complete at the time of submission. Any work which varies from the original piece submitted may be rejected. If you wish to submit any form of print, it will be your responsibility to print it off and prepare it for exhibition before delivering it to us.

Thank you and good luck!

Michael and Sharon 

(The Fronteer Team)