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Public Open Exhibition 2026: Visual Art Call Out

Calling all UK based *disabled visual artists! We’re looking for the best contemporary visual art produced by disabled, learning disabled and neurodivergent artists. We want to fill LEVEL Centre with work that celebrates the art that difference makes – and we’re looking for your artwork to make that happen!

– Prizes for 1st and 2nd place
– People’s Choice Award
– Categories for under 18’s
– Shortlisted work will be part of the Public Open Exhibition at LEVEL Centre

This is a national call out – you don’t need to be Derbyshire based to enter. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday 26 May 2026 at 12 noon.

Entries are now closed! Thank you for your submissions.

*By using the term ‘disabled person/artist’ we aim to include those who identify as being disabled, learning disabled, people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, D/deaf, neurodivergent and/or autistic and those experiencing chronic illness, mental health conditions, and more.

We understand that different people prefer different terminology. You do not have to prefer the term ‘disabled person/artist’ to apply.

More information

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We’re looking for:

Work that is created by *disabled, learning disabled, and neurodivergent artists.
Contemporary 2D Visual work. We’re happy to accept most forms of 2D visual work: pencil, acrylic, watercolour, oil painting, paper art, printmaking, calligraphy, embroidery, textile, photography, digital print etc.
Please note that we can’t accept any 3D sculptural work or digital work that requires screen display.

The Prizes:

In the 18 and Over category we are offering a cash prize for first and second place. Both our Under 18 category winners will receive a prize of art supplies. Prize winners in these categories will be selected by our professional industry judging panel.

1st prize 18 and Over: £300 (or equivalent amount in vouchers)
2nd prize 18 and Over: £200 (or equivalent amount in vouchers)
2 x Under 18 categories: Art supplies

The People’s Choice Award, kindly sponsored by Turners Art Supplies, will be voted for by the public, both in person and online, and announced at the end of the exhibition.

People’s Choice Award prize: Art supplies

Who can apply:

Group and individual submissions are welcome including schools
Only open to UK based artists
U18 Categories are ages 7 to 11 and 12 to 17
The applicant must be the legal copyright owner of the submitted work and it is their responsibility to ensure that the copyright is not restricted under any law
If the work is being submitted via a representative, it is the representative’s responsibility to make sure that they only submit art that the artist can claim full copyright for
Employees/board members and freelance staff of LEVEL Centre and Sponsor organisations are not permitted to enter

How to enter:

Submissions will only be accepted through a completed application form. There are two forms – one for individual entries, one for group entries (for instance schools). You may also complete an optional anonymous Equal Opportunities Monitoring form. Once submitted, applications cannot be edited. The application form will collect:

Contact information
Details about the artwork and the artist (name, size, materials)
Equal Opportunities Monitoring
GDPR permissions
Terms and Conditions agreement

You can submit up to three high quality images of the piece, clearly labelled with the artist’s name and the name of the piece. The maximum file size is 4mb.

Artwork must be:

If your artwork is shortlisted for the exhibition, it must be:

no larger than 100cm x 100cm
framed/mounted and ready to hang when delivered to LEVEL. We may need to attach D-rings and picture wire to your work that are appropriate for our hanging system
a maximum weight of 20kg