Coventry Open returns for 2023

01 December 2022

Local artists will have the chance to exhibit work at the Herbert when Coventry Open returns in spring 2023

Image: ‘The Conversation’ (Thin Tissue / Menopause series) by Gabrielle Roberts-Dalton

Set up to showcase local talent and provide selling opportunities for artists, Coventry Open celebrates the quality and diversity of art being produced in Coventry and the wider region. Visual artists working in any medium are invited to submit images and supporting information about their work via an online submissions portal that will open in early January.

Submitting your work for consideration is completely free and open to anyone in the West Midlands regardless of prior experience. A £1000 prize is available for one winning entry chosen by the independent judging panel, who will select works for public display after submissions end on 13 February.

An additional £500 prize will be awarded to the “people’s choice”, which will be chosen via a public voting system after the exhibition opens.

For the first time this year, the Herbert will also be hosting a Young People’s Coventry Open, offering young artists aged 15-18 a chance to exhibit their work in a professional gallery setting.

Over the coming weeks, a series of public Q&A sessions will take place online and in-person, where you can drop in to find out more about the project. Towards the end of January, technology support days will also be held for those requiring assistance with photographing or submitting their work online. Those wishing to register their interest or find out more can email covopen@cvlife.co.uk.

You can also download our Coventry Open Accessible Guide here.

Coventry Open curator Alice Swatton said, “After a brief hiatus during our packed City of Culture programme, we’re excited to be bringing Coventry Open back to the Herbert and celebrating the creative talent that the West Midlands has to offer.

“Getting your work in front of viewers is one of the most challenging aspects of being an artist, and it’s important to us at the Herbert to provide a platform for people to raise their profile and develop their careers.

“We encourage local artists and makers to spend some time between now and the new year thinking about what they might want to create and submit for the exhibition.”

The Coventry Open submissions portal will be open from 6 January – 13 February 2023, with selected works exhibited from 24 March – 21 May. Please email any enquiries to covopen@cvlife.co.uk.

Dates for your diary

Please check back to this page for further details of our drop-in Q&A sessions as dates are confirmed

Friday 6 January - Submissions open

Saturday 21 January - Access-supported enrolment technology support day at FarGo Village (supported by Art Riot, aimed at those with access needs. Please email covopen@cvlife.co.uk for more information)

Saturday 28 January - General enrolment technology support day at the Herbert (open to all)

Monday 13 February - Submissions close

Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 March - Artwork drop-in weekend for shortlisted artists

Monday 6 March - Judging day

Thursday 23 March - Launch event

Friday 24 March - Exhibition opens to the public