Dorset Visual Arts (DVA), in partnership with Dorset Museum & Art Gallery (DMAG), is launching a major open art competition marking a landmark first collaboration between these two leading cultural institutions. The exhibition is being hosted by DMAG, produced by DVA with support from Dorchester Arts, Art in Hospitals and Evolver Magazine.
Selected finalists will have their work exhibited in a professionally curated show at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery in Dorchester running 18 October until 30 November 2025.
This new Dorset Arts Open calls for submissions from all artists and makers. The organisers say it is an exciting opportunity for artists working in any medium – painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, photography, mixed media, digital, and beyond – to submit work that either captures the essence of the region’s landscape, people, history, or culture or explores their relationship to the area. In whatever way you feel creatively inspired by the area, this is a unique opportunity to share your vision of what the region means to you.
One of the prize categories focusses on the Climate and Ecological Emergency and will acknowledge the use either of sustainable methods or focus on subject matter that engages with ideas around environmental threats.
The competition is designed to be inclusive and representative of the region’s diverse artistic community. With a range of prizes and a professional panel of judges, this will appeal to established as well as emerging talent, with a particular focus on encouraging submissions from younger artists.
The prize categories recognise outstanding artistic achievement and celebrate creativity across experience levels, backgrounds, and perspectives:
- First general category: £500
- Second general category: £250
- Young/Emerging Artist: £150
- Climate Emergency Award: £150
- Dorchester Arts solo exhibition during Dorset Art Weeks 2026
- Dorset County Hospital exhibition
- DVA Prize: 1 year DVA Membership + free Dorset Art Weeks entry
- DMAG Prize: Arts and Culture Bundle
- Framing Prize: Provided by Mount Collective
- People’s Winner (public vote): £100 or showcase on DMAG digital platforms
Submissions will be live on Tuesday 1st July at 9am. See dorsetvisualarts.org/thedorsetopen for details and to submit and dorsetmuseum.org for venue details.
