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Calderdale Open Art Exhibition 2026

Terms and Conditions

  • Entry is open to all artists, regardless of age or ability.

  • You do not have to live in Calderdale.

  • The theme is Memories. Entries do not need to be on theme, but judges will be particularly looking for entries that reflect it.

Entries

  • All entries must be submitted via our online entry portal. Physical submissions will not be accepted.

  • All entries must be original and not be in breach of copyright or any other intellectual property rights.   

  • The deadline for submissions is 15 November 2026

  • We reserve the right to refuse any artworks.

  • Works must be smaller than 1.5 meters along their longest side to be eligible for selection.

  • There is no guarantee your work will be selected for display.

  • Any expenses incurred in entering the competition are the responsibility of the artist.

  • Works must be in JPEG format with a minimum resolution of 300 dpi and a maximum file size of 10MB.

  • Work in any two-dimensional medium will be accepted. For example:

    • printmaking,

    • drawing,

    • photography,

    • painting,

    • textiles,

    • mixed media.

    • digital art

  • Digital art submissions must be the original creation of the artist. Artworks created or altered using AI programs and tools are ineligible for entry.

  • Each entry has a limit of up to three works.

  • Artists may submit multiple entries.

Entry Fees

  • There is a fee of £20 for the first artwork in an entry.

  • There is a fee of £10 for each extra artwork in an entry up to the entry limit of three works.

  • Payment is taken electronically when your entry is submitted.

  • The entry fee will not be refunded if the work is rejected.

Judges

  • All works will be submitted to a selection panel. The decision of the panel is final. This year’s panel of judges comprises the following:

  • Jane Austin - Calderdale Artist

  • Tony Sheeky - President of Halifax Photographic Society

  • TBA

Prizes

  • All successful entrants will have their work displayed at Smith Art Gallery Brighouse in an exhibition running from 16 January – 10 July 2027. 

  • Successful entrants will be notified by 15 December 2026

  • Prizes for the three most outstanding works will be awarded at the discretion of the panel. These will be awarded at the exhibition preview which will take place at 10am on Saturday 16 January at Smith Art Gallery Brighouse.

  • All successful entrants plus guests will be welcome to attend the preview and light refreshments will be offered. Attendees are responsible for their own travel for attending the event.

  • The following prizes will be offered which have generously been donated by our sponsors:

    • First Prize – £250 donated by Calderdale Museums Service

    • Second Prize – £200 gift voucher provided by AC Art & Framing

    • Third Prize - TBA

  • There is also a £100 People’s Prize voted for by visitors to the exhibition, with the artwork receiving the most votes being deemed the winner. The result of this will be announced after the exhibition closes.

Display

  • Successful entries will be put on public display by Calderdale Museums in Smith Art Gallery. Artists will be credited alongside their work.

  • Installation will be carried out by Museum staff.

  • All works displayed, will be at the artist’s own risk. Artists are responsible for the insurance of their own works. They are accepted by Calderdale Council entirely at the owner’s risk and we will not accept or be under any liability for loss or damage. We recommend that fragile works be glazed.

  • The artist’s name, address, telephone number and the title must be shown clearly on the back of each work.

  • Selected artworks should be framed with wooden surrounds and mirror plates.

  • Unframed canvases or metal frames should have mirror plates attached.

  • Clip frames are not acceptable. Works will not be hung with any other hanging system.

  • Digital images of works may be used for promotional purposes and on the Calderdale Museums website and social media. Artists can opt out of this when submitting their works. No commercial use of images will be made.

Publicity

  • Artist’s full names will be displayed alongside their works and may appear on the Museum website, social media or in any other promotional material.

  • Successful entrants may be required to participate in a reasonable amount of publicity, including having their photograph and name used in print or online.  

Selling works

  • Works may be offered for sale.

  • Works do not have to be for sale to be selected for display.

  • The Gallery commission is a third of the sale price.

    • Example: artists price of £100 plus gallery commission of £50 results in Sale price of £150

  • Artists must supply an invoice if their work is sold.

  • Sold artworks will remain on display for the whole of the exhibition. 

  • Calderdale Museums will be responsible for arranging collection of the artwork by the buyer, taking payment, and reimbursing the artist.   

Delivery and collection

  • Successful entrants should deliver their work to Smith Art Gallery, Halifax Rd, Brighouse HD6 2AF on either of the following dates:

    • Monday 11 January 2027 3pm – 6pm.

    • Tuesday 12 January 2027 1pm – 4pm.

  • Artists must take their packaging away with them.

  • The exhibition closes on Saturday 10 July 2027.

  • Unsold works must be collected from Smith Art Galleryon the following dates:

    • Friday 16 July 2027 3pm – 6pm.

    • Saturday 17 July 2027 12pm – 3pm.

  • Works will not be wrapped; entrants should bring their own packaging material.

  • Any works not collectedafter this date will be charged £10 per day for storage.


Our Sponsors

The following organisations have kindly donated prizes for this year’s competition.

 

AC Gallery

AC Gallery, a family-run business with over 50 years of expertise in art and picture framing, has deep roots in Yorkshire.


Originally established in the 1950s as an arts and crafts shop in Huddersfield, the business quickly evolved to specialize in picture framing and art. Today, with branches across the North, AC Gallery is proud to be one of the regions oldest and most trusted picture framing companies.


In addition to their bespoke framing services, they are the exclusive publishers and representatives for selected artists, including one of the region’s most iconic artists, Peter Brook RBA. This long-standing connection underscores their commitment to supporting local art


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