Back by popular demand, The Soho Open returns – offering artists, makers, designers and creatives working in the UK the chance to exhibit in the heart of Soho.
With no set theme, this open call welcomes submissions in any medium from creatives at all stages of their careers. A distinguished selection panel will choose up to 100 works to be exhibited at the wonderful Great Pulteney Street Gallery from 6–22 November 2026.
As well as exhibition space, artists will be eligible for The People’s Choice Award, The Soho Housing Association Award, and up to three solo presentations – reflecting The Soho Open’s commitment to supporting creative talent.
Deadline: Thursday 3 September 2026, 5pm.
About Soho Housing Association & The Soho Open
Soho Housing Association was founded in 1974 with a mission to provide affordable housing in central London. The Association’s portfolio of commercial properties serves to support its primary purpose of maintaining and building affordable housing in the capital’s centre.
Great Pulteney Street Gallery holds a particular place in the Association’s history, being one of the first buildings purchased during its earliest days. Today, the gallery is offered for solo and group exhibitions to individuals and artist groups exhibiting in a wide range of media.
Located close to many of London’s leading commercial and public art galleries – and in perfect reach of Soho’s numerous bars, cafés and restaurants – this is a prime central London venue.
The Soho Open is presented in partnership with Parker Harris.
Who Can Enter?
| Criterion | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | UK-based artists, makers, designers and creatives |
| Age | 18 and over |
| Career stage | Amateur and professional – all stages welcome |
| Mediums | Any 2D or 3D medium (see full list below) |
| AI-generated work | Not admissible |
| Maximum entries | Up to 3 works (plus up to 2 supporting images for details) |
| Entry fee | Tiered (see below) |
Work Requirements
| Criterion | Detail |
|---|---|
| 2D max dimensions (framed) | 180 x 140cm |
| 3D max dimensions | 50 x 50 x 100cm |
| Maximum weight | 18kg |
| 3D display | Artist must provide method of display (e.g. plinth or suitable shelf) |
| Film/moving image | Max 10 minutes; artist must arrange own display method; all display methods must be PAT tested |
| Diptychs/triptychs | Considered as a single artwork |
Mediums welcome include (but are not limited to):
Painting, drawing, sculpture, mixed media, photography, moving image, print, textile.
Entry Fees (Non-refundable)
| Number of works | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1 artwork | £17.50 |
| 2 artworks | £30 |
| 3 artworks | £40 |
The Prizes
| Prize | Award |
|---|---|
| Supported Solo Presentation | Up to 3 artists awarded a solo presentation at Great Pulteney Street Gallery (provisional dates TBC, running simultaneously) |
| Soho Housing Association Award | £500 to an artist chosen by Soho Housing Association & Selectors – awarded to work associated with the theme ‘At Home in Soho’ |
| People’s Choice Award | £500 awarded at the end of the exhibition |
The Selection Panel
| Selector | Background |
|---|---|
| Monika Bobinska | Gallery manager at Great Pulteney Street Gallery; director of BBNR (domestic-scale gallery, north London) |
| Kate Bryan | Arts broadcaster; Chief Art Director for Soho House (custodian of nearly 10,000 artworks across 16 countries) |
| Darren from LondonArtRoundup | Critic, long-time art collector; founder of LondonArtRoundup (2021) |
| James Payne | Artist (trained at Central Saint Martins), curator, former gallery owner, occasional critic |
| Lisa Wright | British artist known for large-scale figurative paintings and life-size sculptures; career spanning 30+ years with numerous prestigious awards |
If You Are Selected
Delivery Requirements:
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Works delivered unwrapped with forms and labels
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Labels attached to the back of picture frames and bottom of sculptures
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Exhibition material compiled from your digital submission – complete it accurately
Insurance:
Artists are responsible for insuring their own work. All works accepted for exhibition are displayed entirely at the artists’ risk. Organisers and the gallery accept no liability for loss or damage during the exhibition.
Sales:
The Soho Open will host an online catalogue and dedicated sales site. Artworks must be available for sale from 1 November 2026 – 1 January 2027.
Key Dates
| Online submission deadline | Thursday 3 September 2026, 5pm |
|---|---|
| Selection notification | Tuesday 13 October 2026 |
| Delivery of selected works | Sunday 1 November (6.30pm–9pm) & Monday 2 November (9am–9pm) |
| Private View | Thursday 5 November 2026, 6–8pm |
| Exhibition open to public | Friday 6 November – Sunday 22 November 2026 |
| Collection of selected work | Monday 23 November 2026, 9am–6pm |
How to Apply
Submission is by online entry only via the ArtOpps Online Portal.
Steps:
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Click ENTER NOW on The Soho Open page.
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Complete the entry form.
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Pay the tiered entry fee.
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Upload digital images of your work(s).
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Work will be viewed and judged digitally.
Entry fees are non-refundable.
Why Enter The Soho Open?
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Prime central London venue – Great Pulteney Street Gallery in the heart of Soho
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No set theme – complete creative freedom
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All mediums welcome – from painting to moving image, sculpture to textile
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Solo presentation opportunities – up to 3 artists awarded a solo show
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Two £500 awards – Soho Housing Association Award + People’s Choice
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Back by popular demand – a proven platform for emerging and established voices
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Online catalogue + sales site – commercial exposure beyond the gallery walls
Final Checklist
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Are you a UK-based artist aged 18 or over?
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Is your work original (no AI)?
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Does it fit within the size and weight limits?
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For 3D work: can you provide a plinth or shelf?
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For moving image: can you provide PAT-tested display equipment?
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Have you paid the correct entry fee?
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Can you deliver selected work to Soho on 1–2 November 2026?
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Can you collect unsold work on 23 November 2026?
The Soho Open 2026
Up to 100 works exhibited | Solo presentations | £500 awards | Online catalogue
Venue: Great Pulteney Street Gallery, London
Exhibition: 6–22 November 2026
Deadline: Thursday 3 September 2026, 5pm
Enter Now via the ArtOpps Online Portal HERE
Soho Housing Association, in partnership with Parker Harris – providing a space for emerging and established voices to be seen and recognised in the heart of Soho.
