The ACEarts Open returns with an open call for artists and makers to submit work for the Open Exhibition which will take place at our Somerton gallery from 10am on Saturday 25th October to 1pm on Wednesday 24th December 2025. The major prize will be a solo show in 2026. There will be a Meet the Artist event on Saturday 25th October

Submissions and timings 

The opening date for submissions is 1st March 2025 and will close at midnight on 1st June 2025. Artists are invited to submit a maximum of three works for selection via the curation website Curator Space. Artists must be aged 18 and over on the date of submission. 

Successful applicants will be notified of selection by 13th June. Notification will be made by email.

Costs

1 submission             £20

2 submissions           £36 

3 submissions           £45

Media

Submissions can be for any media, including painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, textiles, photography, etc. 

Please note that digital media, film, installation, or reproduction prints will not be accepted. 

Spec

2D and/or work for hanging on the wall = max size 1m x 1m.  

3D and/or work for standing on floor/plinth = max size D50 cm x W 70 cm x H 100cm and must weigh no more than is safe for one person to lift – 20kg. The gallery is on the first floor up a flight of stairs; there is no lift.

We do have a stair lift, which provides access for some disabilities. 

Work for hanging on the wall MUST be ready to hang with either frame, tablet canvas, or mounted on board all with D-rings attached. 

The team at ACEarts will not attach these for you and any 2D works not ready to hang will not be exhibited and will need prompt collection by the artist. 

Mirror plates are not admissible unless through prior arrangement with the curator.

Please ensure floor and plinth works are stable and they can cause no risk to our audience.  Unstable or unsafe works will not be exhibited and will need prompt collection by the artist. 

Submission process

Entries will only be accepted once the full submission fee has been paid

Go to https://acearts.airposwebstore.com/catalogue/350635-acearts-open-2025/items in order to pay for your submission.

You will find three options depending on the number of submissions you would like to make. 

Once you have paid, you need to take a note of your Order Confirmation Number, which will be on your online receipt.

For 2D pieces please submit one image of each piece of work. If the work is 2D we do not need to see the frame in the image.  

However, for 3D artworks, please include 2 images of each piece to help us see them better.  

Submitted images should be no more than 2 mb in size. 

Please title your images (first name last name_ number 1-4.jpg) eg: Nina-Lewis_1.jpg

Please include information about the dimensions and prices of all pieces (this must include the 45% commission) in the description of your work. 

Please ensure your images are as clear as possible. 

General T&Cs

All works must be for sale and are subject to a 45% commission.  

All entries are subject to a selection process will take place online.

ACE reserves the right not to hang all selected works whether this is due to lack of space or any other factor which may affect the overall nature of the exhibition.

The decision of the Curator is final. ACE cannot enter into any correspondence or discussion over the decisions made by the Curator.

All work must be delivered to the gallery between 10 am and 4 pm on Wednesday 15th October 2025, and must be unwrapped by the artist and all wrapping removed from the gallery.

All work must include a loose label to include name, title and price (to include the 45% commission).

Artists will be required to sign our T&Cs and complete a stock form on delivery of artwork. 

Any submission which ACEarts considers to be inappropriate, or cause offence (at the discretion of the curator) will not be accepted.

The panels selection is final. The submission fee is non-refundable.

All unsold work must be collected on 6th January 2026. It is the responsibility of the artist to arrange and pay for any work collected by courier. 

ACE will dispose of any artworks not collected within 2 weeks of the exhibition closing.

Marketing 

ACE will produce any PR it deems appropriate, copyright remains with the artist, By submitting works you agree for ACEarts to use that image for promotional purposes.

ACE agrees to promote the exhibition within its programme of events via the website, e-news, social media, local press and other relevant sites.

ACE will not share entrants’ personal information with third parties.

Photographs taken of work during the exhibition may be used in promotional material to advertise the gallery, exhibition, and work of ACE.

Insurance

Work selected will be insured by ACE for the duration of the exhibition. Whilst every care will be taken in the housing and handling of work, no responsibility will be accepted by ACE for any damage that might occur.

Artists should insure their work for the period of transit.