Celebrating Creativity Across the County
Dorset Visual Arts (DVA), in proud partnership with Dorset Museum & Art Gallery (DMAG), is delighted to launch a brand-new 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 major new Dorset Arts Open calls for submissions from all artists and makers. 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.
We want to provide a new opportunity to showcase the best of the region’s creative talent, open to all art forms including makers, fine art and contemporary practice.
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
Entries will be carefully reviewed by a professional judging panel of five experts drawn from across the arts and cultural sectors, ensuring a high-quality, fair and inspiring selection process. The judges are:
- Simon Barber, Editor, Evolver Magazine
- Jack Dickson, Artist and Participant in BBC Extraordinary Artists
- Ian Middleton, RWA Sculptor
- Suzy Rushbrook, Curator, Arts in Hospital
- Freeny Yianni, Curator and Gallerist, Close Ltd
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.
Artists selected for exhibition will also have the opportunity to sell their work, making this not only a prestigious showcase but also a valuable opportunity for professional growth.
Paul Newman, Creative Director of Dorset Visual Arts said: “We’re thrilled to be working on this important and exciting new opportunity for the county’s cultural calendar, in a dynamic partnership with Dorset Museum and Art Gallery and supported by Dorchester Arts, Art in Hospitals and Evolver Magazine. We all believe in the value of art and design to inspire, uplift and educate and what better place to showcase a wealth of talent alongside the inspiring history and heritage of DMAG’s collection, celebrating the best of this region as a source of inspiration.”
Claire Dixon, Executive Director of Dorset Museum & Art Gallery said: “It is fantastic to have this opportunity to welcome local artists to showcase their work in our world- class exhibition gallery. Working collaboratively with Dorset Visual Arts enables us to benefit from their expertise to bring this exhibition to current and new audiences and celebrate the ways in which our region inspires creativity.”
Submissions open on 1 July and close on 5 September 2025. Full guidelines including entry criteria, artwork specifications, and prize terms, can be found at dorsetvisualarts.org/thedorsetopen or see below for full guidelines.
This competition forms part of a broader initiative to support, nurture, and celebrate the visual arts, reinforcing the shared mission of Dorset Visual Arts and Dorset Museum & Art Gallery to champion creativity, inclusion, and community engagement across the region.
With around 100 members any business in Dorset can join Dorchester Chamber from business for £60p/a (no VAT).
