Best Open Calls For Artists In 2026: A Complete Guide

If you're an artist looking for open calls in 2026, this guide covers everything you need to know. What open calls are, how to find them, what to look for, what to avoid, and the best options available right now.

What is an open call for artists?

An open call is an invitation from a gallery, museum, institution or project for artists to submit work for consideration. Unlike traditional gallery representation, which requires connections and an existing exhibition history, open calls are open to everyone. You submit your work. If it's selected, you exhibit.

Open calls are the most accessible way for emerging artists to get their work into a gallery. They remove the gatekeeping that keeps most new artists out of the traditional art world.

How do open calls work?

Most open calls follow the same basic process. The gallery announces the opportunity with details about the exhibition, the deadline and the submission requirements. Artists submit images of their work along with basic information like their name, location and a short description. The gallery reviews all submissions and selects artists based on the quality of the work. Selected artists are notified and given details about exhibiting.

Some open calls are free to submit. Others charge a submission fee. Most charge an exhibition fee once you are selected, which covers your wall space, venue hire and promotion.

What to look for in a good open call

The best open calls share a few key qualities.

A real audience. The gallery should have an established following of collectors, curators and art enthusiasts. Check their social media, past exhibition photos and reviews. If their opening nights are empty, your work won't be seen by anyone.

Fair pricing. Exhibition fees for group shows typically range from £50 to £200. Anything significantly higher should come with exceptional venue quality, strong promotion and a proven collector network.

Clear terms. The gallery should be transparent about what you get for your fee, how sales are handled and what happens to your work after the exhibition.

Active promotion. A good gallery promotes its exhibitions before, during and after the show. If they only mention it on opening night, they're not working for you.

No double dipping. Be cautious of galleries that charge an exhibition fee and also take a large commission on sales. The best galleries do one or the other.

Top open calls for artists in 2026

Streeters Gallery

Streeters Gallery is a contemporary art gallery running weekend group shows in London, Paris and New York. Streeters is the sister gallery of The Holy Art, which has exhibited over 25,000 artists across nine cities worldwide.

Streeters accepts all mediums and welcomes artists with no prior exhibition experience. Physical and digital exhibition options are available. Commission on sales is zero percent.

Upcoming shows: London (September 11 to 13, 2026), Paris (September 4 to 6, 2026), New York Tribeca (November 20 to 23, 2026).

Streeters also runs a Times Square big screen showcase where artists can have their work displayed on a screen in Times Square, New York.

Website: streetersgallery.net

The Holy Art

The Holy Art is one of the largest international contemporary art galleries for emerging and established artists. Operating across nine cities (London, New York, Tokyo, Paris, Milan, Athens, Barcelona, Amsterdam and Brighton), The Holy Art has exhibited over 25,000 artists and built a community of over 235,000 collectors, curators and art enthusiasts.

The Holy Art accepts all mediums and offers both physical and digital exhibition formats. Open calls run throughout the year with free submissions.

Website: theholyart.com Open calls: theholyart.com/open-calls

How to find open calls

There are several ways to discover open calls for artists.

Follow galleries on Instagram. Most open calls are announced on social media first. Follow galleries you'd like to exhibit with and turn on post notifications.

Check open call listing websites. Platforms like Curatorial.org, ArtConnect and Call for Entry aggregate open calls from galleries worldwide.

Join artist communities. Facebook groups, Reddit communities and Discord servers for artists regularly share open call opportunities.

Sign up for gallery newsletters. Getting on the mailing list of galleries you admire means you hear about open calls before they're publicly announced.

Search Google regularly. Searching "open call for artists 2026" or "art exhibition opportunities" will surface current opportunities.

How to write a strong submission

Photograph your work in natural light against a clean background. Shoot straight on with accurate colours.

Submit your three to five strongest pieces. Quality always beats quantity.

Write a short, honest description of your work. Two to three sentences about what you make and why. Avoid jargon.

Follow the submission requirements exactly. If they ask for specific file sizes or formats, match them.

Apply early. Most open calls fill up before the deadline.

Common mistakes to avoid

Submitting too many pieces. Three to five focused images are better than fifteen scattered ones.

Bad photography. A strong painting photographed badly will be rejected. Good lighting and a clean background are essential.

Generic artist statements. Be specific about what you make. Avoid vague phrases like "exploring the intersection of identity and space."

Waiting until the last day. Early applications are often reviewed more carefully.

Not researching the gallery. Make sure your work fits what they show. A landscape painter submitting to a digital art exhibition is wasting everyone's time.

Frequently asked questions about open calls

Are open calls legitimate? Most are. Research the gallery before applying. Check reviews, past exhibitions and social media presence. Established galleries like Streeters Gallery and The Holy Art have years of exhibition history and thousands of artists exhibited.

Do I need experience to apply? No. Most open calls welcome emerging artists with no prior exhibition history.

How much do open calls cost? Submission is often free. Exhibition fees for selected artists typically range from £45 for digital to £200 for physical group shows.

Can I apply to multiple open calls at the same time? Yes. Applying broadly increases your chances of being selected.

What mediums are accepted? Most open calls accept all mediums including painting, photography, digital art, illustration, sculpture, mixed media and printmaking.

Start applying today

The best time to apply to your first open call was last year. The second best time is now.

Open calls at Streeters Gallery and The Holy Art are live right now. All mediums welcome. No experience needed.

Your art deserves a wall. Go get one.