Art Exhibition Opportunities In 2026: Where To Show Your Work

If you're an artist looking for exhibition opportunities in 2026, this is the most up to date list of what's available right now.

We've put this together because we know how frustrating it is to search for open calls and find expired deadlines, vague application processes and galleries that charge a fortune for a spot on a shared wall in the back room.

Here's what to look for, what to avoid and where to apply.

What makes a good exhibition opportunity

Not all open calls are equal. Before you apply anywhere, check for these things.

Does the gallery have a real audience? Look at their social media, their past exhibition photos, their reviews. If every opening night photo shows an empty room, your work is going to be shown to nobody.

Is the fee fair? Exhibition fees between £50 and £200 are normal for group shows. Anything over £300 for a group show should come with serious promotion, a prime venue and a strong collector network. If it doesn't, you're overpaying.

Do they take commission on sales? Some galleries charge a fee and then take 30 to 50 percent commission on top. That's not a partnership. That's two bites of the same apple.

Do they actually promote the show? Check if the gallery promotes its exhibitions before they happen. If they only post about it on opening night, they're not working for you.

Is the venue real? Some online open calls lead to "exhibitions" that are just a webpage with your image on it. If you're paying for a physical exhibition, make sure it's an actual physical space with walls and people.

Where to exhibit in 2026

Here are some of the main routes for emerging artists looking to show work this year.

Open call galleries

Open call galleries accept submissions from anyone and select artists based on the strength of the work. This is the most accessible route for emerging artists. No connections needed. No gallery representation required.

Streeters Gallery runs weekend group shows in London, Paris and New York with open calls throughout the year. Exhibition fees start at £120 for physical work and £45 for digital. Zero commission on sales. All mediums welcome. No experience needed. Streeters is the sister gallery of The Holy Art, which has exhibited over 25,000 artists across nine cities worldwide.

Artist led exhibitions

If you can't find the right open call, make your own show. Get together with a group of artists, rent a space for a weekend and put on your own exhibition. You'll handle everything yourself but you'll have full control over the curation, the pricing and the promotion. Good spaces for artist led shows include community halls, creative studios, pubs with function rooms and co working spaces with gallery walls.

Art fairs

Art fairs are larger events where multiple galleries and artists exhibit together. They tend to be more expensive than gallery shows and the audience is usually a mix of collectors, dealers and the general public. Some art fairs accept direct applications from artists. Others require you to apply through a gallery.

Online exhibitions

Online exhibitions became popular during lockdown and they're still around. They're cheaper than physical shows and they let you reach an international audience. The downside is that the impact is lower. Collectors still prefer to see work in person. An online show is better than nothing but it shouldn't be your only strategy.

Residencies and grants

Artist residencies give you time, space and sometimes funding to create new work. Some include a final exhibition as part of the programme. Grants can fund your own exhibition project. Both are competitive but worth applying for.

Streeters Gallery: upcoming shows in 2026

We're running three shows this year. All open to emerging artists. All mediums welcome.

Paris: 4 to 6 September 2026. Three day weekend show. Friday opening night, Saturday and Sunday open to the public.

London: 11 to 13 September 2026. Three day weekend show. Home of Streeters Gallery and The Holy Art.

New York (Tribeca): 20 to 23 November 2026. Four day show at 101 Reade St. One of the best art neighbourhoods in the world.

Physical exhibition: 1 work £120, 2 works £200. Digital exhibition: 1 work £45, 2 works £85, 3 works £115.

Apply at streetersgallery.net

Tips for applying to any open call

Photograph your work properly. Natural light, clean background, straight on. Bad photos get rejected even when the work is good.

Read the requirements. If they ask for specific file sizes, dimensions or formats, follow them. It shows you pay attention.

Apply early. Most open calls fill up. Don't wait until the last day.

Submit your strongest work. One great piece is better than five average ones.

Don't overthink your artist statement. Keep it short and honest. Two or three sentences about what you make and why.

Start now

The best time to exhibit was last year. The second best time is now.

If you've been looking for the right opportunity, stop looking and start applying.

Open call is live at streetersgallery.net

Streeters Gallery. London. Paris. New York. The gallery that actually lets you in.