Short Description:
Soho Housing Association, in partnership with Parker Harris, is thrilled to announce the launch of The Soho Open—a new opportunity for artists, makers, designers, and creatives working in the UK. In its inaugural year, this open call welcomes submissions in any medium, offering a platform for diverse and innovative artistic expression.
With no set theme, The Soho Open invites creatives at all stages of their careers to submit their work for consideration. The selection panel—comprising Paul Carey-Kent, Frances Richardson, Mervyn Metcalf, Monika Bobinska & Shanti Panchal—will choose up to 100 works to be exhibited at Great Pulteney Street Gallery from 5 November – 23 November 2025.
As well as the opportunity to be part of this new exhibition, artists will be eligible for The Leslie Hardcastle Memorial Prize of £500, awarded to one outstanding submission. Up to three artists will be awarded a solo exhibition, reflecting The Soho Open’s commitment to supporting creative talent.
This exciting new prize aims to celebrate creativity in all its forms, providing a space for emerging and established voices to be seen and recognized in the heart of Soho.
Application Requirements:
Artists may submit up to 3 works, with up to 2 supporting images. (These may be used to show details.) All mediums are welcome, including but not limited to: painting, drawing, sculpture, mixed media, photography, moving image, print and textile.
Framed 2D works must not exceed 180 x 140cm in any dimension. Maximum dimensions for 3D work are 50 x 50 x 100 cm.
3D works should provide a method of display eg a plinth or suitable shelf.
Film/moving image works should not exceed 10 minutes and applicants will be required to arrange their own display methods. All methods of display must be PAT tested.
Installation pieces comprising multiple smaller works, diptychs and triptychs will be considered as a single artwork when completing the submission form.
Works must not exceed 18kg in weight
Eligibility:
The prize is open to artists, designers and makers, both amateur and professional both in the UK, aged 18 and over. Work in any 2 or 3 dimensional medium is admissible. Please note works made by AI will not be admissible.
Submissions must be digital in format as work will be viewed and judged digitally.
Program Benefits or Awards:
Leslie Hardcastle Memorial Prize
£500 will be awarded to an artist
Selected by Soho Housing Association & Selectors
Awarded to an artist whose work is associated with the theme ‘Justice For All’.
A solo exhibition will be awarded for up to 3 artists at Great Pulteney Street Gallery. Provisional exhibition dates: 2 – 23 March 2026 running simultaneously.
Entry Fee:
Pricing is tiered according to how many artworks you may wish to submit. Please see pricing below:
- Standard entry: 1 artwork: £15; 2 artworks: £25; 3 artworks: £33
Once an entry has been submitted, no refunds of entry fees, part or whole, will be offered.
Location: United kingdom
Deadline: September 23, 2025
Website link:
