Birmingham Open 26 is an open-call visual art competition and exhibition celebrating Birmingham’s emerging creatives.
2026 is the third edition of the competition hosted by
Colmore Life. The 2025 competition saw a record 80+ emerging artists in Birmingham enter and have their artworks exhibited on Snow Hill Square and Victoria Square.
More Info
- What it is: A juried open art competition culminating in two major public exhibitions
- Who it’s for: Emerging artists across all disciplines, must be based in Birmingham and over 18.
- Where it’s shown: Snow Hill Square (top 10) and Victoria Square
- Choice: Of the top 10 artworks, the public are invited to vote for their favourite via QR code scanning to crown their People’s Choice winner, which is revealed once the exhibition has finished.
- Judging panel: A mix of respected cultural leaders and artists, led by curator Ruth Millington.
- Competition prizes:
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- Overall Winner – £2,000 cash and portfolio review
- Highly Commended – £1,000 cash and portfolio review
- People’s Choice Award – £1,000 cash and portfolio review
Theme: Birmingham
For the 2026 competition, we’re have selected the theme of ‘
Birmingham‘, inviting artists to respond to
Birmingham in whatever way feels most meaningful to them.
We see Birmingham as a rich starting point: from the city’s well‑known friendliness and strong sense of personality, to its built environment, cultural heritage, and ever‑evolving identity.
Inspiration might come from the symbols of Brum, everyday lived experiences, hidden or overlooked stories, or the city’s global connections.
Ultimately, we welcome any response that offers a personal, thoughtful or imaginative take on Birmingham today.
Who can apply?
This opportunity is open to emerging artists aged 18 and over who are based in Birmingham. Applicants should be at an early stage of their creative practice and not currently working as established or full‑time professional artists.
We welcome submissions from individuals who are developing their voice, exploring new ideas, and looking to share their work within a public exhibition context.
Competition Timeline
- Competition entry period: 14 April – 19 June 2026
- Judging: July 2026
- Overall Winner and Highly Commended announced: August 2026
- Exhibition live: 7 – 24 September 2026
Please note entries to Open 26 are now CLOSED.
