HOME announces the return of Manchester Open exhibition 2026 - the biggest celebration of creative talent in Greater Manchester
- Manchester Open will take place Sat 20 June - Sun 6 Sep 2026 and will be the 4th iteration of this popular biennial open exhibition
- HOME hopes to attract record numbers of entries
- Portal opens Wed 7 Jan 2026, closes: Thurs 19 Feb 2026
- New award in honour of philanthropist and business leader Kate Voke
HOME is delighted to announce that Manchester Open, the biggest celebration of Greater Manchester’s creative talent, is back in 2026. Taking place every two years, the open exhibition is the biggest celebration of Greater Manchester’s creative talent. Between Sat 20 Jun and Sun 6 Sep 2026, the HOME Gallery walls will be filled with hundreds of artworks, selected by a panel consisting of art experts and community representatives.
Now in its fourth iteration, the Manchester Open exhibition is open to all and welcomes entries from people of any level of experience, including established professionals, students, graduates, new and emerging talent, enthusiastic amateurs and first-time artists. Artists are invited to submit work in the categories; ceramics, digital/moving image, drawing, print, painting, photography, sculpture/installation, textiles, creating an exhibition rich in variety for visitors to explore.
Application and selection process
All submissions will be reviewed by the Manchester Open selection panel who make the final selection of work to be included in the exhibition. The selection panel members will be announced in Spring 2026.
Artists will be able to submit one artwork so make sure you submit your best piece!
CEO of HOME Karen O’Neill said:
“Following our 10 year anniversary in 2025, we are looking forward to 2026 and welcoming applications to HOME’s biggest celebration of Greater Manchester’s artistic talent. With a record number of applications to the last Manchester Open, we’re hoping for even more in 2026 and to demonstrate how the city continues to grow as a place where artists and creativity can thrive.”
Artist Awards
HOME is delighted to once again be working with Castlefield Gallery on the selection of the 2026 Manchester Open Awards. Three artists will be awarded with artist development packages managed by HOME and Castlefield Gallery. There will also be one HOME Award for an artist’s solo exhibition in the Granada Foundation Galleries focusing on developing new work.
Announcing The Kate Vokes People’s Choice Award
In honour of local philanthropist and business leader Kate Vokes’s contribution to the Manchester Open, HOME and the arts and culture sector in Manchester, HOME is privileged to announce The Kate Vokes People’s Choice Award.
Kate worked closely with HOME from the inception of the Manchester Open – the North West’s biggest open entry art exhibition – in her role as judge. Over three Opens, from 2017 to 2023, Kate judged thousands of artworks from artists across Greater Manchester, thoughtfully selecting the works to be exhibited to visitors drawn from across the North West and beyond.
As the only award voted for by the people of Greater Manchester – with 2,400 visitors voting in 2024 – the People’s Choice Award reflects Kate’s values by widening participation in the arts. This recognition will also help to reinforce her legacy for thousands of residents across the North West, and raise the profile of the importance of philanthropy in our region.
Alongside the recognition afforded by this high-profile award, The Kate Vokes People’s Choice Award Winner will receive £2000.
