Bolton Museum and Library Services is calling for entries for its 2026 Open Art Exhibition, running from February 14 to May 17, 2026. The show is open to artists and craftspeople aged 16 and over who live, work, or study in the Bolton borough, with submissions accepted in media including painting, drawing, print, textiles, ceramics, sculpture, photography, and digital art. A new Young Artist Award for ages 16–23, sponsored by Bolton at Home, offers a £250 prize, alongside the overall Winner’s Prize and the Visitors’ Choice Award sponsored by Bromleys Art Supplies. The judging panel includes Amy Brunn, Professor Kirsty Fairclough, and artist David Gledhill, with a Young People’s Panel also involved. Entry fees are £5 per work, and artists may sell their pieces with a 30% commission charged by the museum.
This open call matters because it provides a direct platform for local and emerging artists to exhibit and sell work in a major cultural venue, fostering community engagement with the visual arts. The introduction of the Young Artist Award specifically targets and supports the next generation of creators in Bolton, helping to sustain local artistic talent and making the exhibition more inclusive. Such regional open exhibitions play a vital role in democratizing access to professional exhibition opportunities and strengthening the local art ecosystem.