Open Calls for Artists 2026: How to Exhibit Your Work in London, New York, Paris, Tokyo & Beyond

If you are an artist searching for a genuine international platform in 2026, you have arrived at the right place. The Holy Art Gallery runs some of the most active open calls for artists currently available, spanning nine cities across Europe, North America, and Asia. Submission is always free. Every medium is welcome. And you only pay a participation fee if your work is selected.

This guide breaks down every upcoming exhibition city, what you need to know about the application process, and why thousands of artists choose The Holy Art as their launchpad into the global art world.

What Is an Open Call for Artists?

An open call is an invitation from a gallery or arts organisation for artists to submit their work for consideration in an upcoming exhibition. Unlike private invitations or representation deals, open calls are accessible to everyone — emerging, mid-career, and established artists alike. They democratise access to gallery walls in some of the world’s most iconic cities.

The Holy Art Gallery has built its entire model around the open call format. The gallery believes that great art deserves to be seen regardless of an artist’s connections, nationality, or career stage. With over 223,000 artists in the community and exhibitions running continuously since the gallery’s founding, The Holy Art has developed one of the largest open-call ecosystems in contemporary art.

2026 Open Call Exhibition Cities

London, United Kingdom

London remains one of the world’s great art capitals, and The Holy Art’s London exhibitions attract curators, collectors, and press from across Europe. The gallery’s home base is in Hackney, one of London’s most creative districts, and each show runs for four days with a professional private view, open bar, and full photography and video documentation. Artists can exhibit physical works or opt into the digital Art-on-Loop display.

New York, USA — Tribeca

The 2026 New York exhibition runs 20–24 March 2026 at 72 Warren Street, Tribeca — steps away from the galleries and collectors that define the contemporary American art market. Artists may submit in any medium, and accepted works can be displayed as physical pieces or on HD digital screens. Flexible payment options including Klarna and Afterpay are available for the exhibition fee.

Paris, France — Le Marais

Scheduled for 13–16 February 2026 at 46–48 Rue Notre Dame de Nazareth in the Le Marais district, the Paris exhibition places your work in one of the most storied art neighbourhoods on earth. All media accepted. All themes welcome. Submission is free.

Tokyo, Japan

The Tokyo open call runs 3–6 April 2026 with an opening night on 3 April. Tokyo offers a unique audience that blends deep appreciation for traditional craft with appetite for cutting-edge contemporary work. This is a rare opportunity to reach collectors and audiences in the world’s third-largest art market.

Athens, Greece

Exhibition dates: 10–12 April 2026. Submission deadline: 31 March 2026. Athens represents the gallery’s founding city and brings a richly international audience together in a Mediterranean context. Artists of all nationalities are welcome to apply.

Amsterdam, Netherlands — Jordaan District

The Amsterdam pop-up sits in the heart of the Jordaan, one of Europe’s most walkable and gallery-dense neighbourhoods. The gallery’s canal-side venue draws a steady stream of international visitors throughout the exhibition period.

Milan, Barcelona, and Mexico City

The Holy Art also stages exhibitions in Milan, Barcelona, and Mexico City, expanding reach into Latin America and Southern Europe. Check the current open call pages on The Holy Art website for the most up-to-date dates and deadlines.

How to Apply: Step by Step

• Go to www.theholyart.com and navigate to “Open Calls”

• Choose the city or cities where you want to exhibit

• Complete the free online application form and upload images of your work

• Wait for the curatorial team’s response (typically within a few weeks)

• If accepted, review your exhibition options — physical display, digital Art-on-Loop, or both

• Confirm your participation and arrange shipping or digital upload as required

The entire application process is designed to be straightforward. There is no submission fee. If you are accepted, participation fees are clearly communicated upfront, with flexible payment options available.

What Do Artists Receive?

Accepted artists receive professional hanging and display of their work, photography and videography of the opening night, inclusion in the gallery’s online catalogue, and promotion across The Holy Art’s social channels and to its email list of over 100,000 subscribers. For digital shows, artwork is displayed on high-definition screens in the physical venue.

The Holy Art community counts over 223,000 artists. Exhibiting with the gallery connects your work to a global network of collectors, curators, fellow artists, and art lovers who actively follow the programme.

All Mediums Are Welcome

One of The Holy Art’s defining principles is radical inclusivity of medium. Accepted work spans painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, installation, digital art, video art, film, mixed media, illustration, and poetry. The open theme policy means your artistic vision drives the work — not a brief imposed by the gallery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it really free to apply?

Yes. There is no fee to submit an application. A participation fee applies only if your work is accepted and you choose to exhibit. This model is standard practice at juried open calls and art fairs worldwide.

Can I apply from outside the UK?

Absolutely. The Holy Art actively encourages applications from artists worldwide. Over half of all exhibitors in recent years have come from outside the United Kingdom, and the gallery has hosted artists from more than 80 countries.

What if my work is large or fragile?

The team can advise on recommended couriers with experience shipping fine art to all exhibition cities. Artists are responsible for shipping costs, but the gallery’s team handles all installation and display.

→  Ready to apply? Submit your work for free at www.theholyart.com/open-calls