Searching for a free open call for artists in 2027? This guide lists every open call at The Holy Art with its dates, explains the difference between a submission fee and an exhibition fee, and shows you how to spot the calls that waste your money.
The quick answer
Every open call at The Holy Art is free to submit. You pay nothing to apply. You only pay an exhibition fee if you are selected and decide to go ahead. Apply at theholyart.com/open-calls.
Free open calls in 2027, with dates
Milan: 22 to 25 Jan 2027. Apply at theholyart.com/milan-open-art
Paris: 22 to 25 Jan 2027. Apply at theholyart.com/paris-open-art
London: 5 to 8 Feb 2027. Apply at theholyart.com/london-open-art
Tokyo: 26 Feb to 1 Mar 2027. Apply at theholyart.com/tokyo-open-art-2027
Times Square billboard: All year. Apply at theholyart.com/times-square-open-art
New cities and dates are added through the year. The open calls page always shows the latest ones.
Still in 2026: Amsterdam (30 Oct to 2 Nov), New York (13 to 16 Nov) and Athens (4 to 6 Dec).
Submission fee or exhibition fee?
A submission fee is what you pay just to have your work looked at. Many competitions charge £15 to £50 per entry, whether you are picked or not. If 2,000 artists apply and 30 are chosen, most of that money comes from the artists who were rejected.
An exhibition fee is only paid by the artists who are selected and choose to exhibit. It pays for the venue, the opening, promotion and the team. You risk nothing by applying.
That is how The Holy Art works. Free to submit, a clear fee only if you are selected, and a 10% commission only if your work sells. Most galleries take 30 to 50%.
What you can apply for
Physical shows, with your original work on the gallery walls. Digital shows, with your work on the screens at the venue and promoted online. Any city, wherever you live. Any medium and any career stage, from first time exhibitors to established artists. Over 25,000 artists have shown with The Holy Art since 2020.
How to spot open calls that waste your money
High submission fees with huge applicant numbers. Do the maths on what they earn from rejections alone.
Vague promises. If you can't tell where the venue is, how long the show runs or who promotes it, the fee may buy you very little.
Fees at every step. Submission, then selection, then catalogue, then award. Real opportunities do not stack charges.
No track record. Look for past show photos, named artists, real venues and active social media. The Holy Art has over 400 shows documented in its journal and a community of 245,000 you can check yourself.
How to get the most from free open calls
Apply to more than one city. It is free, so you can go for Paris, London and Tokyo in the same year and build an international CV fast.
Send your strongest three to five works, photographed in daylight against a clean background.
Keep your description short and honest. Two or three sentences about what you make and why.
Apply again if you are not picked. Selection depends on the fit with each show, not on whether your work is good.
Frequently asked questions
Is The Holy Art open call really free? Yes. Applying costs nothing. Fees apply only to selected artists who choose to exhibit, and they are shown before you commit.
Does The Holy Art take commission? Only 10% on works sold at or through the show, and only if they sell. Most galleries take 30 to 50%.
Can I apply to more than one city? Yes, as many as you like.
What mediums are accepted? All of them: painting, photography, digital, illustration, sculpture, print, mixed media, textile and more.
Do I need experience? No CV, degree or past shows needed.
How fast will I hear back? Most artists hear back within a few weeks.
Apply for free
Free to submit, shows around the world, 25,000 artists shown, and just 10% commission if you sell. It costs nothing to be considered. Apply now at theholyart.com/open-calls.
