All competitions · Open call / exhibition
New Contemporaries 2027 (Bloomberg New Contemporaries)
New Contemporaries · London, United Kingdom
Annual open call for UK-based emerging artists aged 21+, selected by guest artists for a development programme and touring group exhibition. 2027 call closed 30 March 2026; exhibition at Focal Point Gallery, Southend-on-Sea, summer 2027.
Your eligibility
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Who can enter
- Location
- United Kingdom (by country of residence)
- Age
- 21 and over
- Career stage
- Emerging
- Mediums
- Any medium
- Collectives
- Collectives and duos welcome
- Submission
- Online submission
- Also
- UK-based (England, NI, Scotland, Wales); aged 21+; self-identify as emerging/early-career; never previously exhibited with New Contemporaries; individuals, duos and collectives accepted; no formal education requirement.
About
New Contemporaries has supported emerging artists since 1949 through an annual open call selected by a panel of guest artists. Selected artists join a nine-month Artist Development Programme and take part in a group exhibition.
For the 2027 edition applicants had to self-identify as emerging or early-career, be based in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales, be aged 21 or over and not have previously exhibited with New Contemporaries. Individuals, duos and collectives could apply; there is no formal education requirement.
Selected artists receive monthly development sessions (September 2026 - June 2027), mentoring, workshops, an artist fee, travel and accommodation bursary, access support and sales opportunities. The exhibition opens 26 June 2027 and runs 30 June - 11 September 2027 at Focal Point Gallery and partner venues.