ARTISTS from across the East Midlands are being invited to submit their entries for Leicester’s annual Open exhibition before next month’s deadline.
Open: The People’s Exhibition 2025 will once again showcase the region’s creativity, with selected paintings, sculptures, textiles, prints and photographs by local artists going on display at Leicester’s flagship museum & art gallery in November.
Open to all artists – from complete beginners to seasoned professionals – the deadline for entries is 4pm on Tuesday 30 September.
Submissions are invited from artists aged 19 and over who live or study in Leicester, Leicestershire, Rutland, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire or Northamptonshire.
There is also a category for young artists aged five to 18.
After the closing date, a panel of judges will select the paintings, sculptures, textiles, prints and photographs that will go on display at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery in November.
Cllr Vi Dempster, assistant city mayor for culture, said: “Leicester’s annual open exhibition attracts a huge amount of interest from all kinds of artists – from talented young children and enthusiastic amateurs, through to experienced professionals.
“It’s an opportunity for all creatives, whether they’re painters, sculptors or photographers, or they work with digital or mixed-media, to showcase their work in the fabulous surroundings of Leicester Museum & Art Gallery – and it’s a great way to celebrate the rich artistic diversity of the region.
“I would encourage all local artists to get involved and to make sure their applications are submitted before the deadline on 30 September.”
Entry fees for the adult category are determined by the number of works submitted, while entry to the young persons’ category is free of charge. Full details and guidance are available on the Open website.
The Open exhibition at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery will run from late November until the end of January 2026.
Outstanding pieces will be awarded prizes donated by local businesses and groups. Artworks on display will be available for sale, and purchased pieces can be collected once the exhibition has closed to the public.
Further information, including full terms and conditions and a link to the online application form, is available at leicestermuseums.org/the-open
Queries can be emailed to openexhibition@leicester.gov.uk