Visual Art Commission Call Out

We're comissioning a creative response to the Queer Up North Archive

To coincide with the launch of Queer Up North 1992-2002: Celebrating Manchester’s LGBTQ+ Heritage digital archive, HOME is commissioning one early career visual artist to respond to selected material from the archive, culminating in an exhibition in HOME’s Granada Foundation Galleries.

Over the course of three months, the selected artist will respond to selected archive material through their own artistic visual arts-based practice, to produce a new body of work for public exhibition.

To do so, the successful artist will:

Have access to selected Queer Up North digital archive material. This documents significant artists and events that played a pivotal role in shaping Manchester’s identity as an inclusive and vibrant LGBTQ+ city, selected by Queer Up North Project Co- Directors and QUN festival directors Gavin Barlow and Tanja Farman.
Develop and deliver one practical visual arts workshop for one Youth Group from the Proud Trust. This will be done with support from HOME’s Creative Engagement Team.
Be offered making space in HOME Arches (June)
Present a solo exhibition in HOME’s Granada Foundation Galleries
Receive a fee of £2,000
Receive expenses up to £1,000 towards materials, transport and other production and exhibition-related costs.
Receive mentoring support from Queer Up North’s Directors as well as HOME’s Artist Development and Creative Engagement Teams

Submit your application

How to apply

To apply, applicants need to follow these steps:

Read the Commissioning Call out Guidance document - CLICK HERE TO VIEW
Complete the online form below and upload two images of your work which represent the style of artwork you might produce.

All submissions will be considered by a panel from HOME and Queer Up North. Unfortunately, we do not anticipate being able to provide individualised feedback to all applicants due to the expected volume of applications.

If you have any questions or access requirements related to this application, please email: artistdevelopment@homemcr.org

Key dates

Deadline to apply: Wednesday, 4th March 2026, midday

Outcome announced: Friday, 20th March 2026

Creating period: April-June 2026

Exhibition dates: early July - end of October 2026

Apply here

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Credits

Queer Up North 1992–2002: Celebrating Manchester’s LGBTQ+ Heritage is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Granada Foundation.

It is presented by Manchester Histories and Queer Up North with support from Archives+, Manchester City Council, HOME, Contact, Manchester Literature Festival and Factory International.