Devon’s only national open contemporary art competition returns

Exeter Contemporary Open is one of the highlights of the South West’s arts calendar. Now in its ninth year, it provides an important national platform for contemporary visual art with an emphasis on supporting new and emerging talent alongside more established artists.

The submission process is now open and artists working across a variety of disciplines are invited to submit work that will be considered by a panel of industry experts. The shortlisted works will be exhibited as part of the Exeter Contemporary Open exhibition at Exeter Phoenix. The Overall Award winner, announced on 11 September, will receive a £1000 prize and an Additional Award winner will receive £500. Visitors to the exhibition will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite work and the Audience Choice Award winner will receive £200.

Previous winners of the Exeter Contemporary Open include Charlie Tweed, who’s work has since been exhibited at Whitechapel Arts Gallery; Matt Chivers, who created a site specific artwork for the National Trust in Dorset; and Henny Acloque, who had a solo exhibition at Liverpool’s Ceri Hand Gallery.

Artists wishing to enter the competition should click here for information about how to apply. The deadline for submissions is Friday 13 June 2014.

This year’s Exeter Contemporary Open is kindly supported by Haines Watts.