Applications for artists to be part of the 2022 Manchester Open Exhibition will open on Wednesday, 16 June.  

The first Manchester Open, in 2020 – the most successful exhibition in HOME’s history – saw over 33,000 visitors enjoying 543 artworks by 451 artists. It was the first region-wide exhibition of its type to welcome entries from people of any background and level of experience, including established professionals, new and emerging talent, enthusiastic amateurs and first-time artists.

Over 2,000 people applied to be included in the first exhibition, with the final selection made by an independent panel consisting of art experts and community representatives.

Submissions will be made via an online web portal on the HOME website, and are open to all, including those who may already identify as artists and those who might not, working in any medium. It is free to submit work for consideration, although HOME encourages donations in order to support their outreach and engagement programme. 

HOME’s curator Bren O’Callaghan, who created the exhibition, said: “As the most popular exhibition in the history of HOME, with over 33,000 visitors, we had no doubt the Manchester Open would return, now as a biannual celebration. The experience has been like drilling an oil well, only to be soaked by a sky-high fountain of regional talent; leading to multiple conversations and new commissions, all with artists we wouldn’t have otherwise met.

“Although it’s been an exceptionally challenging year, artistic expression has played a critical part in digesting and translating our experiences, from encouraging window posters to exchanging mail art, photographing the changing city skyline, live-stream life drawing or turning box bedrooms into home studios.

“The Manchester Open’s purpose is to provide a platform and amplify opportunity for those living and working within the GM region, with visitors casting a resounding vote of approval. From the queue of 2,000 snaking around the block on our opening night, or those who snapped up over £20,000 of original artwork, now displayed in homes across the region and providing artists with an income during uncertain circumstances.

“I suspect we have loosened a rolling boulder that will continue to flatten a path for generations of emerging regional artists in the years ahead.”

There will also be a return of the Manchester Open Awards – £2,000 bespoke bursaries that also include talent development support, delivered in partnership with Castlefield Gallery. The People’s Choice Award, won in 2020 by George Fell for Octopus, will also return. 

The submission window will close in September, with successful artists notified in October. The Manchester Open Exhibition 2022 will run from Friday 14 Jan to Sunday 27 March 2022. 

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