Leicester Museum & Art Gallery has issued a call for entries for its annual Open exhibition, titled 'Open: The People’s Exhibition 2025.' Artists aged 19 and over who live or study in the East Midlands—including Leicester, Leicestershire, Rutland, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, or Northamptonshire—can submit paintings, sculptures, textiles, prints, and photographs by the deadline of 4pm on Tuesday, 30 September. A separate category is open to young artists aged five to 18. A panel of judges will select works for display at the museum from late November 2025 through January 2026, with prizes donated by local businesses and artworks available for sale.
The Open exhibition matters because it provides a platform for both emerging and established regional artists to exhibit in a major museum setting, celebrating the artistic diversity of the East Midlands. By including categories for children and young people, the event fosters early engagement with the visual arts and supports community creativity. The opportunity to sell works also offers practical support for local artists, reinforcing the museum’s role as a hub for regional cultural life.