Cromer Open 2026
Beyond the Frame
18 October – 5 November 2026
Exhibition at Artspace on the Prom, Cromer Running alongside the national symposium Beyond the Frame: decentralising the visual arts (21 October)
Now in its sixth year, the Cromer Open showcases exciting contemporary work from across East Anglia and beyond, attracting hundreds of visitors who value bold, thoughtful and boundary‑pushing art.
This year’s theme, Beyond the Frame, invites artists to explore what happens when we look past the edges of the artwork, the institution or the expected narrative. The exhibition runs alongside our national symposium, welcoming speakers and delegates from across the UK.
Selected works will be seen by symposium audiences, visiting curators, and national partners.
Theme: Beyond the Frame
Beyond the Frame asks artists to consider how stories, voices and perspectives expand when we move beyond conventional boundaries. We welcome work that:
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Challenges or rethinks framing — literal, metaphorical or structural
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Opens up overlooked or under‑represented stories
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Connects to place, community or lived experience
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Sparks conversation with symposium delegates and the wider public
Any medium is welcome: painting, photography, sculpture, digital, installation, sound, mixed‑media and more.
What we’re looking for
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Work in any medium – including painting, photography, sculpture, digital, installation, sound or mixed‑media
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Pieces that question or extend the idea of a frame – literal, metaphorical or structural
- Art that connects to place, community or overlooked stories
- Work that sparks conversation with symposium audiences and the wider public
Key dates
- Deadline for submissions: 8 September 2026
- Selection panel meets: 15 September 2026
- Artists notified: 20 September 2026
- Delivery of selected work:
- In person: 11 October or 14 October
- Courier/post: details provided on selection
- Private View: Saturday 17 October, 5.30pm
- Exhibition open: 18 October – 5 November, 11am–4pm daily
- Symposium reception: 20 October
- Artist in Conversation: Friday 23 October, 6pm
- Collection & artists’ lunch: 1 November (please collect on this date if possible)
Eligibility & Submission Guidelines
Who can apply
Open to all artists, from anywhere. Work must be new and not previously exhibited.
Number of works
You may submit up to three pieces.
Size limits
2D and 3D work must not exceed 200cm in any direction.
Please see gallery plan and measurements, plus photographs on the website.
How to submit
Use the online entry form below and provide:
- Up to three images (one per artwork)
- Title and 50‑word description for each piece
- A 100‑word artist statement
- Contact details and social media
- Submission fee payment
- Optional: pay‑forward contribution to support another artist
- Image requirements: JPEG or PNG, max 3MB per file.
Selection process
Work is considered anonymously by a panel of practising artists and independent curators:
Selection criteria include:
- Response to the theme
- Originality and clarity of concept
- Suitability for the space
- Potential to engage audiences
Fees, Sales & Support
Submission fees; Non‑refundable:
- £8 for one piece
- £12 for two
- £15 for three
These fees help keep Artspace on the Prom open (it costs £12,000 a year to run.)
Bursary support
We can support a percentage of artists who cannot afford the fee. Please contact [email protected].
You may also pay forward to support another artist or contribute to our Bursary Fund for emerging artists.
Sales
If you wish to sell your work, Cromer Artspace takes 20% commission.
Work must remain for the full exhibition. Artists are paid promptly after the exhibition closes.
Insurance & transport
Artists are responsible for insuring, delivering and collecting their work.
Artspace provides public liability cover for visitors.
We will be very pleased if you are able to pay forward to support an artist who cannot afford to pay the fee or to contribute to our new ‘Bursary Fund’ to support emerging artists.