Bolton Museum is inviting local artists to submit their work for the Open Art Exhibition, with submissions due on January 29, 2026, at Bolton Library. Three prizes are on offer: the Young Artist award (ages 16–25, sponsored by Bolton at Home), the Visitors’ Choice award (sponsored by Bromley Art Supplies), and the Winners Prize (sponsored by the Library and Museum service). The judging panel includes Amy Brunn, Professor Kirsty Fairclough, David Gledhill, and the Manchester Young People’s Panel. All mediums except installations and live performances are accepted, and entrants must be aged 16 or over and live, work, or study in Bolton.
This open call matters because it provides a direct platform for emerging and established local artists to exhibit and sell their work in a museum setting, fostering community engagement with the visual arts. The inclusion of multiple prizes and a diverse judging panel underscores a commitment to supporting regional talent and making the exhibition process accessible to a broad range of practitioners.