Open Call for Artists

HeARTlands exhibitions showcase, celebrate and help bring the work of artists and photographers to wider audiences. Our programme brings established and emerging artists together, showing their work side by side and creating opportunities for connection, visibility, exchange and sale.

Our core curatorial themes are Landscapes, Legends and Love Stories. Individual exhibitions may, however, have their own titles, themes, stories and curatorial briefs. Artists should respond first to the requirements of the particular Open Call while understanding that it sits within the wider creative world of HeARTlands.

Because HeARTlands works across different galleries, cultural spaces, festivals, pop-up venues and exhibition settings, the practical requirements will vary from one Open Call to another.

The individual Open Call Brief will state:

• the exhibition title and specific theme or curatorial direction;

• venue and exhibition dates;

• submission deadline and method of submission;

• the maximum number of artworks that may be submitted for consideration;

• maximum and/or minimum artwork dimensions, where applicable;

• accepted media and any venue-specific restrictions;

• delivery, installation and collection dates or arrangements; and

• any other requirements particular to that exhibition.

Artists should always read the individual Open Call Brief together with these Master Conditions of Submission.

HeARTlands welcomes applications from established artists, emerging artists, photographers and artists who may be applying to an exhibition Open Call for the very first time. Formal arts education, gallery representation or an established exhibition history is not required unless a particular Open Call expressly states otherwise.

We believe there is value in placing artists at different stages of their creative journeys side by side. Work is selected for the contribution it can make to the exhibition, not simply on the length of an artist’s CV.

First-Time Applicants

If this is your first time submitting work to an exhibition, please do not be discouraged from applying. HeARTlands is committed to creating welcoming pathways into exhibition opportunities and to supporting artists as they develop confidence, experience and creative connections.

Not being selected for one exhibition should not be understood as a judgement on your potential or as a reason not to apply again. Every exhibition has its own theme, available space, venue limitations and curatorial balance. A work that is not selected for one show may be well suited to another.

Where applicants are not selected, we warmly encourage them to remain connected with the HeARTlands creative community, take part in gatherings and other opportunities where appropriate, and continue submitting work to future Open Calls.

There is no fee to submit work to a HeARTlands Open Call. We want the opportunity to apply to remain as accessible as possible. Any costs that arise only after selection – for example delivery, collection, artist insurance or exhibition-specific requirements – will be clearly communicated.

Artists may submit only the number of works stated in the individual Open Call Brief. Works must comply with the dimensions, media, presentation and other practical requirements specified for that exhibition.

Unless an individual Open Call states otherwise, submissions should include clear digital images of the work together with the completed HeARTlands Artist & Artwork Submission Form.

For each artwork, artists should provide:

• artist name;

• artwork title;

• medium;

• dimensions;

• year of completion;

• price, where the work is offered for sale; and

• a short description, inspiration or explanation of how the work connects with the exhibition theme or curatorial brief.

Artists should also provide a short biography as requested on the submission form.

Artists must submit work that they are entitled to exhibit and sell. Submitted work must be the artist’s own original creative work and must not infringe the copyright or other rights of another person.

Where an Open Call permits editions, photographic prints, digital work, collaborative work or other forms requiring additional information, the artist must accurately describe the nature of the work, edition details and authorship. Any exhibition-specific policy relating to AI-generated or AI-assisted work will be stated in the relevant Open Call Brief.

All eligible submissions will be reviewed by the HeARTlands Exhibition Selection Panel. Selection will be undertaken against the specific theme and curatorial direction of the individual exhibition and, where relevant, the wider HeARTlands core themes of Landscapes, Legends and Love Stories.

The panel may consider:

• the relevance of the work to the exhibition theme and/or curatorial brief;

• artistic quality, originality and strength of expression;

• the story, idea, atmosphere or perspective communicated through the work;

• how individual works relate to one another and contribute to the balance and coherence of the exhibition;

• the aim of presenting a thoughtful and varied exhibition in which emerging and established voices can sit side by side; and

• practical considerations including available wall or floor space, artwork dimensions, installation requirements, safety and suitability for the venue.

Submission does not guarantee selection. Space and curatorial considerations mean that the panel may be unable to include every artist or every work submitted, even where the work is of a high standard.

All applicants will be notified of the outcome in the manner stated in the Open Call Brief. The decision of the Selection Panel is final.

Landscapes, Legends and Love Stories form the creative heart of HeARTlands, but we interpret them broadly and encourage artists to bring their own perspectives, places, materials, memories and stories.

• Landscapes may include natural, rural, urban, cultural, ecological, emotional, remembered or imagined landscapes, as well as our relationship with place and the living world.

• Legends may emerge from mythology, folklore, oral tradition, history, heritage, ancient tales, local stories, memory or contemporary storytelling.

• Love Stories may encompass romantic love, but also love of place, family, friendship, community, heritage, nature, spirituality and the wider living world – including stories of longing, loss, belonging and connection.

An individual exhibition may focus on only one aspect of these themes, combine them in a new way, or introduce a more specific title and story. The exhibition-specific Open Call Brief will always take precedence when defining the work being sought.

If selected, artwork must be professionally and safely presented and ready for exhibition. Hanging, mounting, plinth, electrical or other installation requirements will depend on the work and venue and will be confirmed where necessary.

Works requiring hanging should arrive with secure and appropriate hanging fixtures unless alternative arrangements have been agreed in advance. Painted or treated work must be fully dry and safe to handle.

HeARTlands may decline to install a selected work if, on arrival, it materially differs from the submitted image or information, is unsafe, does not meet the stated conditions, or cannot reasonably be accommodated by the venue.

Selected artists will receive or be asked to complete the relevant HeARTlands artwork labels. Each work must be clearly identified with the artist’s name, artwork title, dimensions, medium, contact details where requested, and sale price where applicable.

Delivery, installation and collection arrangements vary by venue and will be supplied to selected artists. Unless otherwise agreed, artists are responsible for arranging and meeting the cost of delivering their work to the designated location and collecting unsold work at the stated time.

Artists who anticipate difficulty with delivery or collection should contact HeARTlands as early as possible so that any available options can be discussed. HeARTlands cannot guarantee alternative transport or storage arrangements.

Work must be collected within the period communicated for the exhibition. Any arrangements for work that cannot be collected on time must be agreed in advance.

Artists are responsible for ensuring that their work is appropriately insured, including while in transit and, where required, during the exhibition. Unless expressly confirmed otherwise in writing for a particular exhibition, HeARTlands does not provide insurance cover for artists’ work.

HeARTlands will take reasonable care when handling and displaying work, but artists submit and exhibit work subject to these conditions and any venue-specific terms communicated for the exhibition.

Where an exhibition includes artwork for sale, HeARTlands will communicate the sales arrangements in the relevant Open Call Brief or selection information.

Unless otherwise stated for a particular exhibition, HeARTlands applies a 25% commission to artwork sold through the exhibition. Artists should ensure that the price supplied for display is the final selling price inclusive of the HeARTlands commission.

The artist will receive the remaining 75% of the sale price. Payment arrangements and expected payment times will be communicated for the exhibition. HeARTlands commission supports the costs, development and delivery of current and future HeARTlands exhibitions and creative activity.

By accepting a place in a HeARTlands exhibition, the artist gives HeARTlands permission to photograph or film the selected work while promoting, documenting or reporting on the exhibition and to reproduce submitted or exhibition images for HeARTlands publicity, website, social media, press, archive and related non-commercial promotional purposes.

Copyright in the artwork remains with the artist. HeARTlands will make reasonable efforts to credit the artist when reproducing identifiable images of individual works.

Artists should notify HeARTlands promptly if a submitted or selected work becomes unavailable. Selected work should not be withdrawn without good reason once the final exhibition selection has been confirmed.

HeARTlands may need to make reasonable changes to dates, venue, installation arrangements, exhibition format or other practical details because of circumstances outside its control. Artists will be informed as soon as reasonably possible of any significant change affecting their participation.

By submitting work to a HeARTlands Open Call, the artist confirms that the information supplied is accurate; that they have the right to submit, exhibit and, where applicable, sell the work; and that they have read and agree to these Master Conditions of Submission together with the requirements of the relevant exhibition Open Call Brief.