Frequently asked questions.

Got a question about entering the artists open call or about the exhibition?

We’ve got the answers

What is The Sussex Contemporary?

It was the new kid on the art calendar’s block in 2021 but is here to stay.

Think of it as a bit like the RA’s Summer Exhibition but for Sussex. It is a showcase of the very best creative talent from artists that have a genuine link to Sussex. It’s an opportunity for Sussex artists to show their work in a major exhibition that will be seen by tens of thousands of people.

Expect to see work from amateurs, new and emerging talent, leading artists, and maybe the odd household name, all together in one place.

Can anyone enter the Sussex Contemporary?

The Sussex is open to both amateur and professional artists but on the condition that they:

  • Were born in Sussex, or

  • Were educated or trained in Sussex, or

  • Currently live or work.

It really is a Sussex artists thing. For full details visit our artists open call page.

Does it cost to enter?

Yes. But it is just £15 per submission which helps us cover some of the costs involved with putting on a major exhibition. In comparison to many other major exhibitions this is at the lower end of the scale, and £20-£30 is quite the norm. The Royal Academy charges £38 per submission for their Summer Exhibition.

This doesn’t guarantee a place in the exhibition either I’m afraid, as that is down to the selectors to decide based purely on your artwork submission.

How do I enter?

We use a platform called Zealous to handle the submissions process. It is simple to use and will ask you to provide some details of your work and upload an image for the judges to see.

What size image should I upload to Zealous?

The maximum file size is actually 4GB, but we recommend that up to 3-4MB should be ample otherwise it may slow down the loading of your image when it comes to judging. Make sure your work is well lit when you take your image, and that your work is the dominant part of the image. There is no need to show frames, plinths or much background. Let your work be the star of the show.

Is it just for paintings?

Not at all. We are encouraging entries in all media, not just paint. These include (but are not limited to): drawing, sculpture, printmaking, jewellery, photography, ceramics, mixed media, and illustrations. We also have room for large installations.

When is the closing date for the artist open call?

You have until 31st August 2024 to submit your work before the selectors start to choose what goes into the exhibition.

I missed the deadline, can I still enter?

Unfortunately, due to the sheer volume of entries the judges have started the judging process almost immediately so we cannot accept any late submissions. Sorry. There is always next year.

When will you announce the 2024 open call?

We have! The theme is ‘Duality’ and details of how to enter can be found here.

Who chooses what goes into the exhibition?

We have recruited a panel of independent judges, who are all well respected in the art world. The organisers will have no influence over what the selectors choose (we can’t be bribed with cakes or wine). The judges will choose artwork based on artistic merit alone (they will not know who the artist is) so it is possible for an artist to have more than one piece chosen. The judges will be looking at the quality of the work and how the submissions answers the brief.

Why is there a theme and what is it?

Having a theme helps provide inspiration to artist. It also helps to tie in all the works as part of the exhibition. It’s not unusual and many open calls have a brief to answer.

The theme this year is DUALITY and that is open to your artistic interpretation.

dual·ity

[djuːˈalɪti]

noun

  1. the quality or condition of being dual:

    "this duality of purpose was discernible in the appointments"

    • mathematics

      the property of two theorems, expressions, etc., of being dual to each other.

    • physics

      the quantum-mechanical property of being regardable as both a wave and a particle.

  2. an instance of opposition or contrast between two concepts or two aspects of something; a dualism:

    "his photographs capitalize on the dualities of light and dark, stillness and movement"

How many pieces can I enter?

We are limiting it to three submissions per artist (and it is possible to have all three selected as happened in previous years), but there is no compulsion to submit more than one artwork.

Can I enter abstract work?

Absolutely, you are the artist and it is up to you how you want to interpret the theme. If abstract art is your response then go for it. The panel of selectors will be expecting to see a full range of styles in the submissions.

Does a diptych count as one submission or two?

If your artwork is to be sold as one piece then it counts as one submission, if the elements can be bought individually then each piece would need to be its own submission. However, if split up there is no guarantee that the judges will choose both submissions for the exhibition.

Are there any prizes?

There sure are, we have a top prize, a 2nd prize, a photography prize and one chosen by visitors to the exhibition. Full details can be found on our prizes page as soon as they are announced.

Are there additional costs if my artwork gets selected?

Nope. We will take a gallery commission of 30% if we sell your art and out of that we will be making a donation to our charity partner. As a general rule, most galleries usually charge 50% commission but we are all about everybody winning, and that means the artist and our charity too.

You will be responsible for any costs in getting your artwork to and from the venue, and for making sure that your art is gallery-ready. This means framed and correctly strung.

Where will the 2024 exhibition be held?

Thanks to the nice people at Lewes District Council we will be taking over the top floor of the Marine Workshops building in Newhaven. This iconic Grade II listed building sits on the edge of the River Ouse next to the ferry port and train station. The exhibition space boasts commanding views of both land and sea making it perfect for our theme of duality.

What charity are you supporting?

Last year percentage of all art sales went go to our chosen charity partner – Table Talk Foundation – which raises funds to support food education in Sussex for the next generation, and to support our local hospitality industry.

When is the exhibition open to the public?

The Sussex Contemporary art exhibition will be open on 12/13th, 17/18/19/20th, 24/25/26/27th October 2024 between 10am and 5pm.

How much will it cost to see the exhibition?

It’s free! Yes, absolutely free to come along and see the art.

I’m a photographer, can I enter?

Yes, of course. We know there is sometimes a debate by purists that photography is not art, but we don’t subscribe to that. We actively encourage photography entries for the open call, we even have a prize specifically for photography submissions.

Will the art be for sale in the exhibition?

Absolutely. All the work will be available to buy and in some cases the artist may also offer a number of limited edition prints too. However, any art bought will remain in the exhibition and won’t be available for collection until 28th October. We will make sure that we put a red dot next to it though so everyone knows it is sold.

Is there commission for selling my art?

Yes, although unlike most galleries and exhibitions we are only charging 30% and we will donate 5% of this to our nominated charity

What if I can’t make the drop off?

If you can’t arrange for a friend to bring it in for you then let us know and we will see what we can arrange.

If my artwork is sold but the buyer can’t collect, what happens?

We will put you in touch with the buyer and you can arrange onward delivery with them. The buyer will be told that this may incur costs so you can pass on the P&P costs to them but you will need to collect your artwork on pick-up day.

Can’t find the answer you were looking for? Drop us an email.