The Dorset Open

The Dorset Open

20 May 2025

Dorset Visual Arts and Dorset Museum & Art Gallery Launch Exciting New Dorset Open Art Competition

 

Please note: Submissions are live on Tuesday 1st July at 9am. 

 

Celebrating Creativity Across the County

Dorset Visual Arts (DVA), in proud partnership with Dorset Museum & Art Gallery (DMAG), is delighted to launch a brand-new major open art competition - marking a landmark first collaboration between these two leading cultural institutions. The exhibition is being hosted by DMAG, produced by DVA with support from Dorchester Arts, Art in Hospitals and Evolver Magazine.

Selected finalists will have their work exhibited in a professionally curated show at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery in Dorchester running 18 October until 30 November 2025. 

This major new Dorset Arts Open calls for submissions from all artists and makers. It is an exciting opportunity for artists working in various media - painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, photography, mixed media, digital, and beyond - to submit work that either captures the essence of the region’s landscape, people, history, or culture or explores their relationship to the area. Whether you were born here, live or work in Dorset, or simply feel creatively inspired by the area, this is a unique opportunity to share your vision of what this region means to you.

Following the climate emergency declarations by Dorset Visual Arts and Dorset Council, a prize category will highlight artworks addressing the Climate and Ecological Emergency. This category will recognise pieces that either employ sustainable artistic methods or whose subject matter explores environmental threats or concerns.

We want to provide a new opportunity to showcase the best of the region’s creative talent, open to all art forms including makers, fine art and contemporary practice. The competition is designed to be inclusive and representative of the region’s diverse artistic community. With a range of prizes and a professional panel of judges, this will appeal to established as well as emerging talent, with a particular focus on encouraging submissions from younger artists.  

The prize categories recognise outstanding artistic achievement and celebrate creativity across experience levels, backgrounds, and perspectives:

  • First general category: £500
  • Second general category: £250
  • Young/Emerging Artist category: £200
  • Climate Emergency Award: £200 
  • Dorchester Arts solo exhibition during Dorset Art Weeks 2026
  • Dorset County Hospital exhibition
  • DVA Prize: 1 year DVA Membership + free Dorset Art Weeks entry + Sherborne Times feature
  • DM&AG Prize: Arts and Culture Bundle
  • Evolver Magazine Feature 
  • Framing Prize: Provided by Mount Collective
  • People’s Winner (public vote): £100 + showcase on DMAG digital platforms

 

Entries will be carefully reviewed by a professional judging panel of five experts drawn from across the arts and cultural sectors, ensuring a high-quality, fair and inspiring selection process.  The judges are:

  • Freeny Yianni - (Curator and Gallerist, Close Ltd) 
  • Simon Barber - (Editor, Evolver Magazine)
  • Suzy Rushbrook - (Curator, Arts in Hospital)
  • Ian Middleton RWA - Sculptor
  • Jack Dickson - Artist and Participant in BBC Extraordinary Portraits

 

Submissions are live on Tuesday 1st July at 9am. 

See the opportunity listing on Curator Space for details and the submission form 

See dorsetmuseum.org for venue details.

 

Artists selected for exhibition will also have the opportunity to sell their work, making this not only a prestigious showcase but also a valuable opportunity for professional development.

Paul Newman, Creative Director of Dorset Visual Arts said “We’re thrilled to be working on this important and exciting new opportunity for the county’s cultural calendar, in a dynamic partnership with Dorset Museum and Art Gallery and supported by Dorchester Arts, Arts in Hospitals and Evolver Magazine. We all believe in the value of art and design to inspire, uplift and educate and what better place to showcase a wealth of talent alongside the inspiring history and heritage of DMAG’s collection, celebrating the best of this region as a source of inspiration.”

Claire Dixon, Executive Director of Dorset Museum & Art Gallery said “It is fantastic to have this opportunity to welcome artists to showcase their work in our world-class exhibition gallery.  Working collaboratively with Dorset Visual Arts enables us to benefit from their expertise to bring this exhibition to current and new audiences and celebrate the ways in which our region inspires creativity.”

Submissions open on 1 July and close at 5pm, 5 September 2025. Full guidelines including entry criteria, artwork specifications, and prize terms, are below.

This competition forms part of a broader initiative to support, nurture, and celebrate the visual arts, reinforcing the shared mission of Dorset Visual Arts and Dorset Museum & Art Gallery to champion creativity, inclusion, and community engagement across the region.

 

For more information about exhibitions and events at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery, visit dorsetmuseum.org.

Marketing Department
Dorset Museum & Art Gallery
High West Street | Dorchester | Dorset | DT1 1XA
01305 262735 | [email protected]

 

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR ENTRY (System open 1st July 2025)

 

  1. KEY DATES
  • Online submissions Open: 9am, Tues 1st July 2025
  • Submission Close 5pm, Sunday 31st August 2025
  • Judging: w/c 15th Sept
  • Results Live: Thurs 18th Sept
  • Delivery of Works: Mon 6th October
  • Private View and Press Day: Fri 17th October (artists must pre-book with one guest)
  • Exhibition open to Public: Sat 18th October
  • Exhibition closes to Public: Sun 30th November
  • Collection of unsold work: Tues 2nd December 11am - 4pm

 

  1. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
  • All artists and makers aged 18 years and over are eligible to enter and may submit up to three works
  • Submissions must be made through the designated portal on the DVA website. No other submissions will be admitted
  • Submitted work must have been produced within the last three years.
  • All works must be for sale (with the exception of Moving Image entries)
  • Submitted works will need to be good quality, high res images, professionally rendered, (see guidelines below) with full appropriate details, as this information will be used by the judges to make their selections 
  • Selected works will need to be delivered to the DM&AG, as arranged by the artist.
  • Reproductions of existing artworks are ineligible for entry. If a reproduction is submitted, it will automatically become ineligible for exhibition.
  • The selection panel, DM&AG and DVA retain the right to remove any work which they deem to incite hatred or discrimination.
  • Entries submitted under false pretence or not adhering to the rules will be deemed inadmissible

 

  1. SUBMITTING WORKS

Submission Fees (maximum 3 works per artist)

1 work- £15 

2 works - £25 

3 works - £33 

  • A discount of 25% is applicable to submissions from artists aged 18 - 25. 
  • All work must be submitted via the portal on the DVA website.
  • If you do not have computer access, please contact: [email protected] 
  • For the selection process, please ensure that images are as clear as possible. We can only accept one image per submission, unless for three dimensional works, up to the maximum of three. Additional images cannot be submitted.
  • Please do not include the frame in your image unless it is part of the work.
  • Three–dimensional work must include multiple views, including one in situation for scale
  • Images must be a JPEG file (300 dpi, up to 10MB) and titled in the following format: SURNAME_FIRSTNAME_TITLE_YEAR.jpg
  • If multiple images of the same work are being submitted, please add the number of the submitted image and the total number of images
  • e.g. ARTIST SURNAME_ARTIST FIRSTNAME_TITLE_YEAR_1 of 3.jpg

 

  1. ADMISSIBLE WORKS

All reference to size and dimension herein refers to size as exhibited. This includes frames, plinths, bases, occupied floor space, etc. This is also applicable to multi-component sculptural work, diptychs, triptychs, etc.

If your work is generated, partially or entirely, using artificial intelligence then you must declare it as a medium on your application. If this is not declared, the work will be ineligible.

2-d works

Work must not exceed 150 cm x 150 cm

Work with multiple components must be exhibited and sold under one name and price, and clearly labeled on the back of the work with the total number of objects.

All media is welcome, however if the work is deemed to be a risk to the public, we will not be able to exhibit it

Painting, Drawing and Mixed Media

Reproductions are ineligible

Printmaking

Prints may be unique or signed and editioned

Unframed editions may be available for sale 

Unlimited reproductions are ineligible

Digital Art

Submissions must be original artworks or suitably editioned

Artists must provide equipment for display otherwise we will be unable to show the work

3-d works

All forms of 3-d works are admissible. This includes but is not limited to: Artist Books, Architectural Models, Sculpture, Interactive Sculpture. If the work in any way poses a risk to the public, we will not be able to exhibit it

Exhibited work must not exceed 80 x 80 cm footprint and cannot weigh more than 50 kg

Clear installation instructions must be included at the time of submission

Floor and Plinth based work must be stable and able to sit securely without additional fixings. We cannot guarantee a plinth for exhibition.

Works with multiple components must be clearly labeled on their packaging

Artists may sell editioned multiples.

Moving Image

  • Please submit at least one still from your work. At the application stage, video files are not needed. Please submit a URL to the video online under ‘Additional Information’. If you are unable to submit a URL please email [email protected]
  • Work must be a maximum length of 10 minutes. Single screen or single channel works only. Title screens will be formatted after selection based on house style guidelines. Sound will be played through headphones only and artists will be asked to provide a transcript of any spoken word where applicable.
  • If the work is selected, files will need to be provided in the following file format: QuickTime Pro. Res. 422 (HD or 1920 x 1080 preferred, aspect ratio 16:9). Files not submitted in this format are not valid.
  • Works will be exhibited on a flat screen 43-inch monitor and may be shown in sequence with other works.

 

  1. INADMISSIBLE WORKS
    • Work in frames or on stretchers to which mirror plates cannot be easily fixed.
    • Reproduction prints which are made to accurately reproduce an already created original image such as a painting, drawing or etching.
    • Unframed works on paper that are not unframed for aesthetic reasons.
    • Site – specific installations.
    • Work containing offensive material. Please note that the decision of what constitutes offensive material is at the discretion of the selection panel, DM&AG and DVA.
    • Works that require regular maintenance by staff, e.g. with parts that must be refilled, refreshed or replaced.
    • Works deemed to be a health and safety risk.

 

  • Please note that once payment is submitted, we cannot issue refunds.

 

 

  1. FRAMES AND FIXINGS
  • All framed work will be hung using mirror plates, therefore please ensure work is suitably framed.
  • All fixtures must be removed from the back of framed work prior to delivery as remaining fixtures are one of the primary sources of damage to artworks.
  • All relevant fixings will be attached to all placed works for hanging.
  • Where a work has a metal frame, the artist must include the original fixings with their entry.
  • Unframed work is acceptable where the decision has been made for aesthetic reasons, but clear installation instructions and alternative fixings must be provided at entry.

 

  1. LABELLING

Upon submission, you will receive a confirmation email with an attached PDF. If your work is selected, please print this pdf on a piece of card and securely attach it to a string of around 25 cm on the back of your work.

 

  1. DELIVERY OF WORKS
  • Artists will be required to deliver works by hand on Monday 6th October, 10am - 4pm. Artists must book a slot for drop off. More information will be available after the final selection.
  • We cannot accept works outside of this timeframe. If you will be unable to deliver on the above dates, please contact [email protected]. We will do all that we can to facilitate an alternative but if nothing can be reached, this may result in the work not being exhibited.
  • Works must be handed in unwrapped, with any packaging being taken away by the artist.
  • If the piece is heavy, please bring another person to assist in transport wherever possible.
  • If work is being delivered by courier, please ensure that it arrives on the hand-in day.

 

  1. RESULTS

All results are final

  • The artist will receive an email upon selection informing them of results. It is the artist’s responsibility to check these results.
  • We are unable to provide feedback on individual works
  • If you are unsure of your results, please email [email protected]

 

  1. PRIZES
  • A full list of prizes are published on the DVA website.
  • By accepting any of the prizes, you agree to have your name, image and artwork publicly acknowledged alongside the prize details including social media posts, website updates and press releases. 
  • Winners of solo exhibitions will liaise with the venue and prize selector, to agree actual display dates and requirements.

 

  1. SALE OF WORK
  • Selling prices must be in GBP (£) and rounded to the nearest Pound
  • A Commission rate of 35% + VAT on all sales
  • Prices submitted upon entry must factor in this percentage

 

  1. COLLECTION OF WORK
  • Any unsold work must be collected from Dorset Museum and Art Gallery on Tuesday 2nd December 2025, 11am - 4pm. Collection slots will be bookable, with a link being sent out closer to the collection day. Uncollected works will incur a storage charge of £15 per work per week (Monday to Monday). This must be paid upon collection.
  • To collect work, Artists must bring ID that has the same name as your application profile. Work will not be released otherwise.
  • If a third party is collecting your work, an email must be sent to [email protected] with their name and the names of the works they are collecting. They must show ID upon collection.
  • If any work submitted is not collected within 3 months after the closing date, Dorset Visual Arts shall be entitled to at its absolute discretion as it sees it, without prior notice to the artist, sell or otherwise dispose of such works and devote the proceeds of such sale or other disposition to the charitable work of Dorset Visual Arts.
  • If you are arranging for a courier to collect your work, artists must email [email protected] with details of the collection at least one week in advance.
  • The organisers are unable to package works for collection.

 

  1. INSURANCE
  • The utmost care will be taken of all works sent in for exhibition, however the installation team and venue will not be responsible for any loss or damage whilst the works are in their possession however caused.
  • Exhibitors are responsible for arranging their own insurance to cover damage or loss to their artwork either in transit or whilst at DM&AG. Condition reports on individual works are not carried out on entry and therefore cannot be insured.

 

  1. COPYRIGHT

Copyright remains with the artist; however, by registering online and agreeing to the terms and conditions the artist agrees that their work can be used for the promotion of The Dorset Open.

If an artist does not own all of the rights, title and interest in and to a Work, the organisers must be expressly informed in writing of all relevant details concerning all other third parties’ rights to that Work. The artist shall indemnify the organisers (DM&AG and DVA) against all losses, liabilities, costs and expenses in respect of claims made by third parties alleging partial or total ownership of the Work or any rights in the Work, including intellectual property rights.

 

  1. SUBMISSION FEES

Submission fees are spent on the production of the event including management, administration, marketing, curating and deinstallation. All funds go to Dorset Visual Arts Charity (1113249). Any funds remaining are retained by DVA to continue to support it’s charitable aims. This includes continuing to provide showcase and development opportunities for Dorset artists and makers, including DVA members.

dorsetvisualarts.org/about-us

 

  1. HELP WITH SUBMITTING YOUR WORK

Advice on photographing and pricing your work: Contact [email protected] for support

 

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