Contemporary Art, continuing our shared commitment to championing creativity across the North East of England.
From Tuesday 12 May 2026, artists, makers, self-taught creatives and hobbyists based in the region are invited to submit work for Baltic Open Submission 2026, a major open-call exhibition opening at Baltic in September 2026, supported by Fenwick.
Submissions are now open and can be made at www.baltic.art/opensub until 10:00am on 16 June 2026.
A Major Open Call for North East Artists, No Experience Required
Baltic Open Submission 2026 will showcase a broad range of practices, painting, sculpture, photography, video and more, selected from submissions by creatives aged 18+ based in the North East of England.
Crucially, this open call is designed to increase visibility for work that may not previously have been shown to a public audience. No training, qualifications or previous exhibiting experience is required to submit.
A selection panel will include Laura Lancaster, Rachel Lancaster, Will Hughes (Tees Valley Artist of the Year 2025), and Baltic Assistant Curators Rose McMurray and Rosie Coleman Collier. The exhibition will present up to 100 works.
Baltic Open Submission 2026 runs: 19 September 2026 – May 2027.
Introducing Youth Open Call supported by Fenwick (Ages 11–17)
This year also marks the launch of Youth Open Call supported by Fenwick, inviting submissions from young people aged 11–17.
Young artists are encouraged to respond to the theme Local, a celebration of local places, local stories and local viewpoints. “Local” might be your street, your school, a park, your bus route, your neighbourhood or coastline. It can be something you love, something you question, or something you notice that others don’t.
Selected works will be shown alongside the chosen artworks from the general open call, as part of Baltic Open Submission 2026.
Selections for Youth Open Call will be made by Baltic’s Young Producers group and artist Terox (a previous Baltic Open Submission exhibitor).
The Fenwick Award, and an Opportunity to Be Seen in the Heart of Newcastle
One artist from the Youth Open Call will be selected to receive the Fenwick Award, with their artwork displayed inside Fenwick’s flagship Newcastle store on Northumberland Street.
It’s an invitation to bring a young artist’s perspective into the city, placing regional creativity where it can be discovered by thousands.
A Call to Fenwick Customers Who Create
If you’re a Fenwick customer and an artist, whether you paint, make, build, photograph, film, stitch, sculpt or experiment, this is your moment to submit.
Baltic Open Submission exists to widen access and celebrate the depth of talent across the North East. If you’ve never exhibited publicly before, you’re warmly encouraged to take part. And if you know a young artist aged 11–17, please share the Youth Open Call with them, their “local” story deserves to be seen.
Key Dates and How to Submit
Baltic Open Submission 2026 (Ages 18+)
- Open: 10am Tuesday 12 May 2026
- Deadline: 10:00am Tuesday 16 June 2026
- Who can apply: Anyone aged 18+ based in the North East of England
- Cost: Free to enter
- Apply: www.baltic.art/opensub
Youth Open Call supported by Fenwick (Ages 11–17)
- Open: 10am Tuesday 12 May 2026
- Deadline: 10:00am Tuesday 16 June 2026
- Who can apply: Young people aged 11–17 at the time of application
- How to apply: Submissions must be made by a parent/carer/guardian aged 18+
- Apply: www.baltic.art/opensub
Fenwick x Baltic: Continuing to Champion Art and Culture in the North East
Creativity has always been part of Fenwick’s story, and we are proud to support opportunities that spotlight talent, open doors, and celebrate the artists shaping culture in our region today.
Submit your work, share your viewpoint, and help us celebrate what the North East creates next.
Submit now: www.baltic.art/opensub
