Shelter is a housing and homelessness charity that campaigns for tenant rights in Great Britain. 1.2 million households are currently stuck on social housing waiting lists, and the number of children living in temporary accommodation is the highest ever recorded. Thousands more people are forced to sleep on the streets.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home because home is everything.

At Shelter Norfolk, we support people locally impacted by the housing emergency through face to face advice, support, legal services, and campaigning for a fairer housing future. This year we are marking 30 years of Shelter Norfolk, and this exhibition is an opportunity for you to be part of the story.

Shelter Norfolk invites submissions for our 30 year anniversary exhibition and campaigning event to be held on April 24th-29th 2025. 

Please note, set up will take place on the 23rd, and pack down on the 30th so we will need artwork throughout the entire period.

The exhibition aims to demonstrate the housing emergency in Norfolk now, and throuhgout the years through mutiple lenses.

This includes perspectives from those with lived experience of homelessness, artists observing the housing emergency, and those working to help people impacted by the housing emergency.

We hope we can raise awareness and break down stigma around homelessness in Norfolk through this exhibition.

We would love to gain a range of perspectives of home and the housing emegrency.

The theme for this submission is home. What does the housing emergency seem like to you? What does home mean for you?

We’re particularly interested in hearing from artists who address issues related to the UK housing emergency, whether it be from an economic, political, socially engaged or individual perspective.

We’ll be accepting submissions from artists based in the UK, both established and emerging, working in all media and styles (including sculpture, poetry, photography, digital, textiles, drawing, painting, print etc). 

We will be prioritising artists based in / connected to Norfolk.

As an artist, how will I benefit? 

This publicised event aims to use art as a vehicle for raising awareness of the UK housing emergency.

As well as providing excellent exposure for your artwork, this event is an opportunity to stand in solidarity with us and support our movement for change.

There is also the opportunity to sell your artwork and the option to donate a percentage of the sale to Shelter (at the artist's discretion).  

Who will attend the event?

With this event we hope to engage, general public, politicians, press, local and national charities, and other artists.  

What is the selection process?

A small group of staff at Shelter Norfolk will be choosing artists who most align with our values and themes.

Application process:

FREE TO APPLY. Closing date: 9th March 2025.

Successful applicants will be notified via email shortly after the deadline.

IMPORTANT:

While the exhibition team will do their utmost to ensure the safety and invigilation of the artworks, they cannot assume responsibility for any loss or damage.

Please note, artists will be responsible for the delivery and collection of their work. 

We may be able to help with costs to the artists for getting to the venue.