SELECTED ARTISTS - INSPIRED BY STANDEN
Presented by Sussex Contemporary in Partnership with the National Trust
Inspired By Standen, a national open-call opportunity for makers, designers, craftspeople and artisans of the UK to be presented at Standen House, West Sussex.
Standen House is well known for its significant expression of the ideas and principles behind the Arts & Crafts movement. Designed by the ‘father of Arts and Crafts Architecture’ Philip Webb with interiors by William Morris & Co. Standen embodies the belief that everyday life should be enriched by things that are both beautiful and useful.
Theme
Living Standen: A Contemporary Response to the Arts & Crafts Movement
Sussex Contemporary and the National Trust present the Standen House Open Call 2026. An innovative exhibition inviting UK-based and UK-connected makers, designers, craftspeople, artisans and artists to create contemporary responses to the Arts & Crafts movement.
The theme encourages submissions in all media including quilting, embroidery, painting, metalwork, tiles, domestic ware, rugs, wallpaper, furniture, dinnerware, kitchenware, glassware, lighting, textiles, ceramics, mixed media, illustration and many more.
The works to be shown in Standen House will be selected by a panel of world-leading expert judges, chaired by Ruth Young, the Head of House and Collections at Standen.
The Standen House Open Call 2026 marks the start of a beautiful partnership between the National Trust and Sussex Contemporary, offering multiple benefits for selected works.
Leading Exhibition: Selected works showcased in the South Room, expertly curated by our Creative Director, Jo Myles.
House Display: Key pieces curated in every room of Standen, creating a living dialogue between contemporary making, makers and historic interiors. Curated by the National Trust’s Head of House and Collections, Ruth Young.
Selling: All selected works will be available for purchase throughout the three-month summer show.
Additional Opportunities: Selected creatives may be invited to participate in events, talks, or workshops during the exhibition’s three-month run in July, August, and September 2026.
OPENING WEEKEND CELEBRATIONS
Judges
The final selection was chosen from more than (?) entries by an expert panel, bringing together leading voices from the worlds of art, culture, broadcasting and environmental advocacy:
-
ARTIST DROP-OFF & COLLECTION
Artist Drop-Off:
22nd June 2026
10am-4pm*
*we will email more detailed drop-off instructions
Artists collect unsold work from the venue:
5th October 2026
10am-4pm
Venue address:
Standen House, West Hoathly Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 4NE
What3Words: ///hills.video.lots
-
EXHIBITION DATES
Opening Weekend Celebration
TBC
Exhibition Open To The Public
2nd July – 30th September 2026
Check opening hours on Standen House’s visit page here
-
SALES & COMMISSION
All artworks in Inspired By Standen will be for sale, as agreed upon entry to the show and selection process.
Sussex Contemporary handles all sales.
The commission will be levied at 30% for all artworks sold, by Sussex Contemporary.
Artists will be responsible for collecting their work at the end of the exhibition and arranging delivery directly with the buyer. We do this to encourage contact between artists and buyers.
Artists will be paid for their sold art within seven days of the end of the exhibition by bank transfer, as long as artist payment details have been received.
-
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Press release & associated images
View the press release here.
Terms & Conditions
Please note; that by submitting an entry (or entries), you agreed to be bound to our terms and conditions and agreed that images of your work may be reproduced for use in marketing.
For full terms and conditions, please click the link below:
The Prizes