Manchester Open 2026

A celebration of Greater Manchester's creative talent The Manchester Open is the biggest celebration of Greater Manchester's artists and creative talent - and it returns this summer. Taking place every two years, The Manchester Open is an exhibition of artworks from people across Greater Manchester of all experience levels, including first-time artists and enthusiastic amateurs as well as emerging talent and established professionals. Selected by a panel consisting of art experts and community representatives, the artwork on display represents artists from across all of Greater Manchester's buroughs and includes works in the categories of ceramics; digital / moving image; drawing; print; painting; photography; sculpture / installation; and textiles. The Manchester Open runs from Sat 20 Jun to Sun 6 Sep 2026.? Submissions for the Manchester Open 2026 are now closed. ? Proudly exhibitiing art from across the region This year's Manchester Open is 4th iteration of this popular biennial open exhibition.?1,500 artists from across Greater Manchester entered this year, of which 420 have been selected by our panel to exhibit their work at the HOME gallery. The judges praise the ?creativity and quality" of this year?s submissions which include a wide-range of artforms and perspectives. The exhibition will include Artists selected from all of Greater Manchester's 10 buroughs, ranging in age from 4 to 80 years old. The selection panel for the Manchester Open reflects the scale and diversity of the exhibition and includes practicing artists, community members and contemporary art professionals.? ? Artist Awards at the Manchester Open 2026? We will once again be working with Castlefield Gallery on the selection of the 2026 Manchester Open Awards. Three artists will be awarded with artist development packages managed by HOME and Castlefield Gallery. There will also be one HOME Award for an artist?s solo exhibition in the Granada Foundation Galleries focusing on developing new work.? In honour of local philanthropist and business leader Kate Vokes?s contribution to the Manchester Open, HOME and the arts and culture sector in Manchester, the Kate Vokes People?s Choice Award, gives visitors a chance to vote on their favourite piece of the exhibition. With?2,400 visitors voting in 2024 ? the People?s Choice Award reflects Kate?s values by widening participation in the arts. Alongside the recognition afforded by this high-profile award, The Kate Vokes People?s Choice Award Winner will also receive ?2000.? ? Please see below FAQ's for submission guidance. If for any reason you have any queries that are not answered below, please contact?manchesteropen@homemcr.org Manchester Open 2026 is supported by the Oglesby Charitable Trust, The Brian Mercer Trust, Granada Foundation, Manchester City Council, Arts Council England and Greater Manchester Combined Authority.? ? Frequently Asked Questions about the Manchester Open Will everything that?s submitted be shown in the exhibition? No. Submissions will be reviewed by the Manchester Open selection panel who make the final selection of work. We will be presenting up to 450 works of art. The selection panel will be announced in Spring 2026.? Are there prizes or an overall winner? We are delighted to once again be working with Castlefield Gallery on the selection of this year?s Manchester Open Awards. Three artists will be awarded with artist development packages managed by Castlefield Gallery and HOME. There will also be one HOME Award for an artist?s solo exhibition in the Granada Foundation Galleries focusing on developing new work. As always, our publicly-voted prize will return, giving our gallery visitors the opportunity to vote for their favourite artwork to win the Kate Vokes People's Choice Award. When will the work be shown? The shortlisted work is displayed in HOME main gallery from Sat 20 Jun - Sun 6 Sep 2026. Entry to the exhibition is free but ticketed. How do I attend the public preview? Tickets for the public preview will be available in 2026 - all participants of the exhibition will be emailed when tickets are available for priority booking. ? ? Manchester Open Terms and Conditions To read the full terms and conditions for application and sale of your work at Manchester Open please visit our dedicted page. Tap here to read the full terms and conditions ? Manchester Open 2026 is supported by the Oglesby Charitable Trust, The Brian Mercer Trust, Granada Foundation, Manchester City Council, Arts Council England and Greater Manchester Combined Authority.?