Organizer Information
The open call is organized by Insecta Collective CIC, a community-interest organization that develops participatory arts initiatives centered on ecological awareness, biodiversity, and environmental storytelling. The collective works at the intersection of visual culture, public engagement, and climate advocacy, curating exhibitions and educational programs that encourage artists to respond to urgent ecological themes through creative practice.
This edition of the open call is supported by partners including People's Postcode Lottery and Postcode Places Trust, both of which fund community-led cultural and environmental initiatives across the UK. Their involvement situates the exhibition within a broader framework of publicly funded cultural engagement and biodiversity-focused outreach.
Title & Description
Open Call for Artwork 2026 – Climate & Biodiversity Themed Exhibition
This international open call invites artists to submit works for inclusion in a hybrid physical and digital exhibition dedicated to climate change, ecological systems, and biodiversity. The exhibition is designed to highlight artistic interpretations of environmental fragility, resilience, and interspecies relationships, with a specific focus on how visual culture can respond to ecological crisis.
Artists are encouraged to submit works that explore climate-related narratives, biodiversity loss, ecological restoration, or human–nature interdependence. Submissions may be selected for either a physical exhibition in Leicester, UK, or a digital online showcase, depending on format suitability and spatial constraints.
The exhibition functions both as a curated art event and a public awareness platform, aiming to connect artistic expression with environmental dialogue. Works will be evaluated not only on technical skill but also on conceptual clarity, originality, and emotional or intellectual impact.
Categories
The open call is multidisciplinary and accepts a wide range of media, including:
- Visual Art (painting, drawing, mixed media, collage)
- Photography
- Illustration
- Sculpture (limited acceptance for physical exhibition space)
- Video / Moving Image (primarily online exhibition)
- Digital Art
- Experimental / Conceptual Practices
- Environmental and installation-based work (subject to spatial constraints)
Eligibility
- Open internationally (all countries)
- Open to all ages (including a dedicated 18 & Under category)
- Suitable for both amateur and professional artists
- No restriction on career stage or formal training
- Individual and independent submissions only (group submissions not specified as primary format)
The call is explicitly inclusive, welcoming artists across all levels of experience and geographic locations.
Program Benefits & Awards
Selected artists will benefit from both exhibition exposure and competitive awards:
Exhibition Opportunities
- Inclusion in a physical exhibition in Leicester, UK (selected works)
- Inclusion in a digital online exhibition (global accessibility)
- Public visibility through curated display and online presentation
Awards (Two Categories: Adults & 18 and Under)
Six winners total will be announced:
Adult Category
- 1st Prize: £30 digital arts supplies voucher
- 2nd Prize: £20 digital arts supplies voucher
- 3rd Prize: £10 digital arts supplies voucher
18 & Under Category
- 1st Prize: £30 digital arts supplies voucher
- 2nd Prize: £20 digital arts supplies voucher
- 3rd Prize: £10 digital arts supplies voucher
Additional recognition includes:
- Certificate of participation for winners
- Featured “Artist Spotlight” on website and social media channels
Selection is made by a panel of creative practitioners evaluating submissions based on:
- Conceptual strength
- Technical skill
- Aesthetic quality
- Originality
- Overall impact
Application Fee
- Age 18 and under: Free submission
- Adults: £5 per artwork
- Maximum submission: up to three artworks per artist
Application Requirements
- Completed online submission form
- Images of the artwork (required for all categories)
- Artwork details (medium, dimensions, title, etc.)
- Basic personal information
- Agreement to terms and conditions
Optional but implied supporting materials:
- Artist statement (recommended for conceptual clarity)
- Portfolio context (if submitting multiple works or series-based entries)
All applicants are expected to carefully review the Terms & Conditions prior to submission.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 26 June 2026
- Notification of Winners: By 10 August 2026
- Exhibition Period: Date not explicitly fixed; includes both online exhibition and physical exhibition in Leicester (exact schedule not specified in source material)
Location
Leicester, United Kingdom
Additional Details
- Artwork size limit: Maximum 90 cm on the longest side
- Strict limitations apply to 3D works and video/moving image submissions in the physical gallery due to space constraints
- Artists submitting sculpture or video are advised to consider online exhibition prioritization
- Judging criteria emphasize both artistic quality and conceptual relevance to climate and biodiversity themes
- Entry fees and artwork sales contribute to future programming by the organizing collective
- Selected artists may receive promotional exposure through curated “Artist Spotlight” features