North East open call for artists is now taking place at Baltic, inviting submissions from artists, makers and creatives of all levels

People in the North East should submit artwork for a major open-call exhibition due to open at Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in September 2026.

The resulting exhibition, Baltic Open Submission 2026, will showcase painting, sculpture, photography, video and more by artists, makers, self-taught creatives and hobbyists based in the North East of England.

Baltic’s Open Submission initiative, now in its third iteration, seeks to give visibility to arts practice from individuals and collectives that a public audience may not have previously seen. No training, qualifications, or experience of exhibiting publicly is necessary to submit an artwork. A record 1400 artists and makers submitted artworks in 2024, of which 104 artists were selected to be displayed.

Works at Baltic Open Submission 2026 will be selected by a panel comprising the North East-born and internationally renowned artists. Laura Lancaster and Rachel Lancaster; Will Hughes, Tees Valley Artist of the Year 2025. Plus, Baltic Assistant Curators, Rose McMurray and Rosie Coleman Collier.

An invite to young artists

The exhibition, supported by iconic department store Fenwick, will open on Saturday 19 September. It will present up to 100 works drawn from the submissions.

This year, Baltic also launches a Youth Open Call supported by Fenwick. It invites artwork submissions by young people aged between 11–17 years old. Budding artists in this age range should consider the theme of Local. Submissions should consider local places, local stories, and local viewpoints.

Works by the 11–17-year-olds will sit alongside the successful artwork from the general open call. Baltic’s Young Producers group and artist, Terox, a previous Baltic Open Submission exhibitor who has gone on to produce and sell his own art, will make the selections.

One artist from the Youth Open Call will receive the Fenwick Award. Their artwork will be on display in Fenwick’s flagship Newcastle store on Northumberland Street.

Sarah Munro MBE, Baltic Director commented:

“After a hugely positive response to our Open Submission exhibition in 2024, we are happy that once again we will see a breadth of talent and creativity here in our region. From painting and sculpture to video work and beyond. It is crucial that this initiative continues. Regardless of whether a work is created by an established artist or someone who is self- taught. There is a chance it will be seen publicly by thousands.

“This year we are expanding the opportunity with Baltic’s Youth Open Call supported by Fenwick. Young people from 11–17 can submit artwork for review by a group of young people close to their age. To see both the young people’s artwork alongside the over 18s submissions in one curated exhibition will be joyful and invigorating.”

Leo Fenwick, Strategic Partnerships Director at Fenwick said:

“Continuing our partnership with Baltic for a second year reflects Fenwick’s ongoing commitment to supporting creativity and emerging talent. Something that has always been part of our brand DNA. Art and culture are integral to both our heritage and the communities we serve. The Youth Open provides an inspiring platform for new artists to share their work. We’re proud to help spotlight the next generation of talent across the North East, with selected works also exhibited within our Newcastle store.”

Laura Lancaster said:

“I’m looking forward to being on the selection panel for the Baltic Open Submission 2026, and to seeing the calibre of work in the region. It’s a great gallery space and an amazing opportunity for the artists selected”

Rachel Lancaster added:

“I am excited to be a part of the selection panel for Baltic Open Submission. As an artist based in the North East I look forward to getting a glimpse into the work of other artists across the region.”

Will Hughes commented:

“I’m delighted to be on the panel of judges this year for the Baltic Open Submission. Open calls are so important. They add visibility to people’s practice and allow you to build a network with your peers. With over 90,000 visitors to the exhibition last time, the diversity of practices on display allows multiple access points for visitors to the extraordinary range of artistic practice in our region.”

Submissions are live at baltic.art/opensub until 10:00am on 16 June 2026. Baltic Open Submission 2026 exhibition runs 19 September 2026 – May 2027.