Over 2,000 submissions received for the inaugural Manchester Open Exhibition at HOME

The judges for the inaugural Manchester Open Exhibition at HOME have now completed their judging, which took a little longer than anticipated. Thank you to everyone for your patience! We were astounded to receive over 2,000 entries from across Greater Manchester, more than we ever anticipated at this, our first pass.

Works submitted include paintings, prints, sculptures, spoken word, illustrations, audio visual installations, performance works and photography.

As well as online submissions, 34 Manchester Open Roadshows were held at libraries and community centres across Greater Manchester, as well as many community group, charity and studio visits from our team, with hundreds of people meeting the team from HOME to chat about the idea that “everyone is an artist”, and to encourage creativity and engagement with the arts.

Over 500+ works have been selected to be displayed in the free-to-visit exhibition, which opens on 18 January and runs until 29 March.

This is the first region-wide exhibition of its type open to everyone, welcoming entries from people of any background and level of experience, including established professionals, new and emerging talent, enthusiastic amateurs and first-time artists, without need of membership or to be a part of any specific group.

HOME Curator Bren O’Callaghan said: “We’ve been glued to our submissions portal as entries have flooded in from all ten boroughs of Greater Manchester, across all backgrounds, ages and experience. I want to thank everyone who has helped spread the word or submit, and would encourage all to join us for this all-you-can-graze, art buffet when we unveil our giant talent showcase in the New Year.”

Community and Outreach Programme Producer at HOME, Anne Louise Kershaw, said: “There are amazing artists all around Greater Manchester creating wonderful work, many of whom do not even consider themselves artists. Our roadshow and the numerous visits we have made to different groups has aimed to tap into this talent, to unearth new and inspiring artists we can now champion. The Manchester Open will be a beautiful snapshot of what the artists of Greater Manchester are creating right now.”

The campaign to encourage people to submit their work was especially supported by TfGM, who gave HOME free advertising spots at tram spots across Manchester.

The selection committee have now completed the process of looking at each individual work and will inform all entrants of their decisions by Friday 29 November . The committee is made up of Jamil Abdulkader, member of the Age Friendly Manchester Board; Manique Jarrett, director and co-founder of Triple C – Creative Confidence Collective; Ann Louise Kershaw, Community and Outreach Programme Producer at HOME; Bren O’Callaghan, Curator at HOME; photographer and curator Mario Popham; Kate Vokes, Trustee of the Oglesby Charitable Trust; and Helen Wewiora, Director of Castlefield Gallery.

Once all those who have been selected have been contacted, we will share the full list of all participating artists in due course.

The exhibition is supported by Greater Manchester Combines Authority, Transport for Greater Manchester, The Oglesby Charitable Trust, The Granada Foundation and Cass Art.