Baltic’s Open Submission initiative, now in its third iteration, seeks to give visibility to arts practice from individuals and collectives that may not previously have been seen by a public audience. No training, qualifications, or experience of exhibiting publicly are necessary to submit an artwork. A record 1400 artists and makers submitted artworks in 2024, of which 104 artists were selected to be displayed in the six-month exhibition.
Works seen in in Baltic Open Submission 2026 have been selected by a panel comprising North East-born, internationally-renowned artists Laura Lancaster and Rachel Lancaster; Will Hughes, Tees Valley Artist of the Year 2025; and Baltic Assistant Curators, Rose McMurray and Rosie Coleman Collier.
This year, Baltic also presents a Youth Open supported by Fenwick, featuring artwork by young people aged between 11–17 years old.
Baltic Open Submission 2026 showcases painting, sculpture, photography, video and more by artists, makers, self-taught creatives and hobbyists based in the North East of England.
