Organizer Information
Founded in June 2020 by father-and-daughter artist team Robert and Saskia Singer, Narture CIC is a social enterprise based in Ayr, Scotland. The organization repurposes empty town center spaces for creative and cultural uses under the core ethos that "everyone is an artist." Having secured £230,000 in funding through the Culture Collective initiative, Narture CIC operates as an inclusive creative hive, hosting community-driven arts programs, workshops, and exhibitions aimed at fostering positive social change and local connection.
Title & Description
Ayr: Past, Present, Future — Call for Exhibitors
Narture CIC has launched an open call for an inclusive community exhibition celebrating the grand opening of its new venue, The Auld Toy Shop (formerly Beattie’s toy shop), located on Newmarket Street in Ayr. Titled Ayr: Past, Present, and Future, the exhibition invites artists and makers of all backgrounds to submit works reflecting on the people, places, memories, and future visions of the town. Designed to be broadly accessible, the showcase welcomes first-time exhibitors alongside established artists, featuring a diverse array of media in a prominent high-street retail location.
Categories
The open call accepts entries across Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Photography, Illustration, Jewelry Design, Ceramics, Textiles, and Mixed Media. (Note: AI-generated artworks are strictly prohibited).
Eligibility
- Demographics: Open to all individuals, regardless of age, background, or geographic location.
- Experience Level: No formal art education or prior exhibition experience is required. Submissions from children or supported individuals can be entered via a guardian or representative.
- Volume: Artists may submit information for up to three artworks for consideration.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Exhibition Showcase: Selected work included in the Ayr: Past, Present, and Future exhibition in a high-traffic location.
- Sales Opportunity: Artists may offer their work for sale. Narture CIC takes 0% fixed commission on sales (voluntary donations are welcomed).
- Launch Event Access: Invitation to the official Preview & Launch Event on Friday, August 21, 2026 (4 PM – 8 PM).
- Community Networking: Connection with Narture’s ongoing Culture Collective project team and local artist network.
Application Fee
- Mandatory Entry Fee: Free (£0 mandatory fee).
- Suggested Donation: A voluntary hanging fee donation of £10 is suggested to help fund Narture CIC's ongoing community initiatives.
Application Requirements
- Online Form: Complete the digital submission form prior to artwork drop-off.
- Artwork Labeling: All physical items delivered must be clearly labeled with the artist's name, work title, medium, and price (or marked "Not for Sale").
- Physical Delivery: Works must be hand-delivered to the venue during designated drop-off windows.
- Disability Access Support: Artists facing difficulties with physical drop-off due to a disability can contact organizers in advance to arrange alternative receiving accommodations.
How to Apply
Fill out the digital registration form to register artwork details, and drop off physical pieces at the venue.
- Digital Application Form: Narture CIC Google Form Portal
- Voluntary Donations: Narture Support Portal
- Drop-off Venue Address:
- The Auld Toy Shop
- 25 Newmarket Street, Ayr, KA7 1LL, Scotland, UK
Key Dates
- Digital Form & Artwork Drop-off Window:
- Monday, August 17, 2026: 9 AM – 12 PM & 4 PM – 7 PM
- Tuesday, August 18, 2026: 9 AM – 12 PM & 4 PM – 7 PM (Final Drop-off Deadline)
- Launch Preview Event: Friday, August 21, 2026 (4 PM – 8 PM)
- Exhibition Duration: Friday, August 21 – Monday, August 24, 2026 (10 AM – 4 PM daily)
- Artwork Collection Window: Tuesday, August 25 & Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Location
Ayr, South Ayrshire, Scotland, United Kingdom
Additional Details
While Narture CIC aims to represent every applying artist within the space, inclusion of every submitted piece is subject to physical space limits. Narture CIC reserves the right to decline display of works deemed offensive, inappropriate, or reliant on generative AI.