Summary of key dates

Deadline for submissions: Monday 24 March 2025

Successful applicants notified: From Monday 14 April 2025

Unsuccessful applicants notified: From Monday 14 April 2025

Postal entries to arrive to Scarborough Art Gallery: By Wednesday 7 May

Drop off artwork(s) to Scarborough Art Gallery: Tuesday 6 May and Wednesday 7 May

Exhibition launch evening: Friday 16 May

Exhibition opens to public: Saturday 17 May

Exhibition closes: Saturday 13 September

Collection of ALL artworks: Wednesday 17 – Saturday 20 September, 11am – 4pm
Please note: Any works submitted by post cannot be returned by post. All works must be collected from Scarborough Art Gallery.

Guidance Notes and Rules of Entry

1. When and where is the exhibition taking place?

The Junior Open 2025 will take place at Scarborough Art Gallery from Saturday 17 May - Saturday 13 September 2025.

The exhibition will be held at:
Scarborough Art Gallery,
The Crescent,
Scarborough
YO11 2PW

2. Who can enter?

The Junior Open 2025 welcomes entries from artists aged 5 -13 years from North Yorkshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire.

Applications must be made by a parent / guardian aged 18+ on behalf of the young artist submitting. This is due to safegurding purposes and to adhere to CuratorSpace terms and conditions.

3. How many works can I enter?

One two-dimensional work per person.

The work can be in a range of mediums e.g., paint, photography, textile. Unfortunately, we cannot accept film, sound works or three-dimensional works, i.e., sculpture and ceramics.

4. How much does it cost?

Entry to the Junior Open is free.Works on display in the Junior Open will not be for sale.

5. How will the work be selected?

Selection will take place from Tuesday 25 March 2025. Entrants will be notified if successful by email from Monday 14 April 2025.

The selection committee will be made up of two independent judges and a member of Scarborough Museums and Galleries staff.

The panels selection of artworks to be displayed is final. 

Scarborough Museum’s curation of chosen artworks is final.

6. If successful, how do I present my work?

●      For each work, on two labels clearly write your name, title of the work and your age.

●      Attach one label to the back of your work in the top right-hand corner.

●      Attach the second label to a luggage tag, or something detachable, and tie it to a mirror plate.  

●      All works on paper should be framed.

●      Frames must be no less than ½” wide and must have mirror plates attached. Clip frames and aluminium frames will not be accepted.

●      Unframed canvases are accepted but can be vulnerable to damage. 

●      Works without mirror plates will not be accepted.               

It is the artist's responsibility to arrange and fund delivery and collection to the Gallery.

We will take great care of your work however we accept no liability for accidental damage. Works damaged on arrival or unsuitably framed will not be entered.

7. If successful, when can I deliver my artwork(s)?

You can drop off your artwork(s) on Tuesday 6 May, 11am – 4pm or Wednesday 7 May, 11am – 4pm at Scarborough Art Gallery.

8. If successful, how do I send my artwork(s) by post.

-       If you are sending your artwork(s) by post, it is the responsibility of the artist to condition check the artwork before it is sent.

-       Scarborough Museums and Galleries cannot be held responsible for any damages that may happen to the artwork during transit.

-       Artworks cannot be posted back. Artworks must be collected from Scarborough Art Gallery between Wednesday 17 September – Saturday 20 September, from 11am – 4pm

9. When will the exhibition preview take place?

On Friday 16 May from 5.30 – 7.30pm at Scarborough Art Gallery. The preview event is for both the East Coast Open and the Junior Open.

10. What happens after the exhibition?

Work that has been exhibited can be collected from the gallery between Wednesday 17 September – Saturday 20 September, from 11am – 4pm. Scarborough Museums and Galleries accepts no responsibility for any unsold works after Saturday 20 September and any work that remains at the Gallery after this date will be disposed of.

Scarborough Museums and Galleries cannot accept responsibility for misunderstandings arising from artists’ failure to read this information.