A UK-wide judged open call celebrating ambitious contemporary practice through a partnership with Fabrica.
About the Open Call
Following the success of Resonance, Sussex Contemporary and Fabrica are delighted to launch Unfold, our second UK-wide judged open call.
We invite artists working across all disciplines to respond to the theme Unfold, with selected works exhibited at Fabrica in Brighton in April 2027. Together, we continue our partnership to create ambitious exhibition opportunities that connect contemporary artists with new audiences.
The Theme: UNFOLD
Fabrica and Sussex Contemporary invite artists to submit work for Unfold, an open call exhibition exploring ideas of emergence, transformation and possibility.
To unfold is to reveal, develop or become. It describes the gradual opening of something previously hidden: an idea taking shape, a story coming into focus, a landscape changing, a relationship evolving or a creative practice growing over time. Unfolding can be personal or collective, deliberate or unexpected, quiet or profound.
We welcome responses that explore process as much as outcome, considering how people, places, materials and experiences shift, connect and transform. Artists might reflect on moments of change, resilience and renewal; on acts of discovery or becoming; on the ways identities, memories and futures continue to unfold. Others may approach the theme through the natural world, social and political change, or the unfolding qualities of time, movement and narrative.
As with all Fabrica and Sussex Contemporary open calls, the theme is intended as a starting point rather than a constraint. We encourage submissions in any medium that engage with the idea of Unfold in ways that are thoughtful, imaginative and unexpected.
“As a theme, Unfold seems like a natural development from Resonance, Fabrica and Sussex Contemporary’s first partnership exhibition. If Resonance was about connection, echo and response, Unfold asks what might develop, or be revealed through an active process. This speaks directly to how artists think about and produce their work through research and finding connection, experimentation, reflection, learning and sharing it with an audience.
I’m really looking forward to seeing how artists respond to these ideas and how, we can bring more of the background story of the making of the art to our audience.”
— Liz Whitehead, Co-Director FabricaWhy Exhibit at Fabrica?
Nestled within Brighton's historic Lanes, Fabrica is a space where everyone can take part in the arts. For 30 years, its programme has presented ambitious contemporary work while creating meaningful connections between artists, audiences and communities.
Through commissioning and showcasing emerging and mid-career artists, Fabrica has supported professional development and created opportunities for experimentation, dialogue and public engagement. Housed within a Grade II listed former church, the gallery offers a distinctive setting where contemporary art can be experienced in new and unexpected ways.
Selected artists for Unfold will become part of this continuing programme, exhibiting in a venue recognised for championing thoughtful contemporary practice and fostering meaningful engagement with audiences.
At Sussex Contemporary, we are committed to creating ambitious exhibition opportunities for artists. Through partnerships with leading cultural organisations, we connect contemporary artists with respected venues and engaged audiences.
Why apply
Be Part of Unfold
Join UK-linked artists in a curated exhibition exploring the theme of Unfold through diverse contemporary practice.
Independent Selection
Have your work considered by an independent panel of respected arts professionals who select solely on the quality of the work and its response to the theme.
A Curated Exhibition
Sussex Contemporary is known for creating thoughtful, professionally presented exhibitions that bring together artists working across disciplines. Unfold continues that approach in partnership with Fabrica.
Connect with New Audiences
Share your work with visitors from Brighton and beyond as part of a professionally curated exhibition. All selected artwork will be available for purchase throughout the exhibition.
Key Information
Eligibility
Open to artists working in all disciplines with a UK connection.
Entry Fee
£20 per work, with a maximum of three entries per creative.
Exhibition Venue
Fabrica, Brighton, UK
Selection
Selected by an independent panel of arts professionals.
Key Dates
Open Call Launch: August 2026
Entry & Submission Deadline: 21 February 2027, 11.59 pm
Artists Notified: Week commencing 8 March 2027
Artwork Drop-off: 12 April 2027 (1 pm - 5 pm)
Exhibition: 16 April – 9 May 2027
Artwork Collection: 9 May (4 pm- 6 pm) or 10 May (10 am - 1 pm)
Following the success of Resonance, our inaugural partnership exhibition with Fabrica, we're delighted to continue the collaboration with Unfold. Explore a selection of works from the 2026 exhibition below.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Unfold will be held at Fabrica’s Brighton home, a unique and much-loved cultural space in the heart of the city. With its striking architecture and long history of presenting ambitious contemporary exhibitions, Fabrica provides the perfect setting to celebrate its exhibition legacy while launching a bold new chapter for artists and audiences.
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Can anyone enter the Unfold open call?
This open call is open to both amateur and professional artists, provided they have a link to the UK. To be eligible, you must meet at least one of the following criteria:
You were born in the UK, or
You were educated or trained in the UK, or
You currently live or work in the UK, or
You can demonstrate another clear UK connection
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We welcome submissions of original artworks across all disciplines, including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, photography, jewellery, illustration and mixed media. We also welcome installations, moving image, sound and other contemporary practices.
For printmaking, we welcome original prints created using recognised printmaking techniques, including etching, engraving, linocut, woodcut, screen printing and lithography. We do not accept giclée prints, digital reproductions or other reproduction prints of original artworks.
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Yes. There will be two prizes and opportunities available to selected artists as part of Unfold. There is no separate application process to be considered for these.
WeAreBrighton Prize
One selected artist will receive a year’s access to the monthly WeAreBrighton talks, alongside a series of mentoring sessions with Jo Myles, Creative Director and Founder of Sussex Contemporary. The prize is designed to support the artist’s ongoing creative and professional development beyond the Unfold exhibition.Fabrica x Sussex Contemporary: Unfold in the Window
One selected artist will receive an additional exhibition opportunity to have their artwork shown in Fabrica’s street-facing Window Gallery on Duke Street in Brighton, following the main exhibition, between May and September 2027.The Window Gallery is seen by thousands of people passing by each day, offering the selected artist an opportunity to reach a wider public beyond the main exhibition. As the work will be displayed in a public-facing window, the selected artwork will need to be suitable for the location and meet Fabrica’s presentation requirements.
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Artists can submit up to three artworks. You can enter fewer if you prefer, and more than one submission may be selected.
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Yes. We welcome both new and existing work, provided it fits the theme of Unfold and meets the exhibition requirements. All submissions are judged on their quality, originality and how well they respond to the theme, regardless of whether the work has been exhibited before.
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If your diptych or triptych is sold as one artwork, it counts as one submission. If the parts can be bought separately, each piece must be entered as its own submission. Please note that if entered separately, there is no guarantee both parts would be selected.
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Yes. Entry costs £20 per artwork submitted.
We actively keep our open calls as affordable as possible while delivering professionally curated exhibitions. The entry fee helps cover the costs of organising and staging Unfold at Fabrica, including the temporary exhibition build, artwork installation, marketing and exhibition management.
The entry fee helps cover the costs of delivering a professionally curated exhibition at Fabrica, including exhibition build, installation, marketing, venue costs and administration.
Our £15 open calls take place in galleries with existing exhibition infrastructure. As Fabrica's exhibition space is built specifically for each exhibition, Unfold requires additional installation and technical costs.
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We use our own platform to manage submissions. It’s simple to use and will guide you through providing details of your artwork and uploading an image for the selectors to review.
Purchase your entries on this page, and then we will send you an email with a link to a closed artist page -don’t forget to check spam/junk email folders too.
On the closed artists page, you will find information about how best to submit your work, along with link/s taking you to our simple and easy-to-use submission form/s.
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Sussex Contemporary is an independent arts organisation creating ambitious exhibitions, artist opportunities and learning programmes across the South East. We work with artists, cultural partners and collectors to present professionally curated exhibitions that celebrate contemporary art in all its forms. Through collaborations with organisations such as Fabrica, we create opportunities for artists to exhibit in exceptional venues, connect with new audiences and develop their practice.
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Yes. All artworks selected for Unfold will be available to purchase. Some artists may also offer limited edition prints. Sold works remain on display until the exhibition closes and are identified with a red dot.
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We appoint an independent panel of respected professionals from across the contemporary visual arts sector. Depending on the exhibition, this may include artists, curators, writers, journalists and other cultural professionals. The organisers do not influence the selection process. Submissions are assessed anonymously wherever possible and selected on the quality of the work and how thoughtfully it responds to the exhibition theme.
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All applicants will be notified by email after the judging process has been completed. We expect to contact artists shortly after the selection panel has met, during the week commencing 8th March 2027. If your work is selected, we'll also send full information about delivery, installation and exhibition arrangements.
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If your work is selected, you'll be responsible for the cost of delivering your artwork(s) to and collecting them from the exhibition venue. There is no hanging fee. If your work sells, Sussex Contemporary retains a commission, with full details provided in the Terms & Conditions.
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The maximum file size is 1MB. We recommend photographing your work in good lighting with your artwork as the dominant part of the image. There’s no need to include frames, plinths, or lots of background - let your work be the star of the show.
Please note; once your image is uploaded to the submission platform then the form will only show you a preview of the image you have uploaded but when we download your image on our side we see it in full, as intended.
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Yes. We've provided a PDF of the submission form questions so you can see what information you'll need to provide before completing your submission.
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No. Once your submission has been completed and submitted, it cannot be edited. The submission form saves your progress while you're completing it, so you can return and make changes before answering the final question which is when your form is submitted. Once submitted, the form is locked and no further amendments can be made.
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All selected work must arrive ready for exhibition. Two-dimensional work should be professionally presented with appropriate fixings for hanging, while three-dimensional work should be stable and ready for display. Please ensure your work is exhibition-ready before delivery.
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We welcome video and installation works for this open call. Please note that any texhinical equipment needed to view the work, if selected for the exhibition, would need to be provided by the artist as Fabrica does not have this equipment on site.
If you opt to submit a video based work, please note when completing the submission form please add a single screenshot in the image section and move on to the next question where you can add a link to the video or a sound file etc.
For video art, please only include a link to an appropriate platform to view your submission e.g Vimeo or YouTube.
For installation works, there is a question on the submission form which asks for a short description of the specifications of the artwork. We also ask that, if selected, the artist is available to install work during the installation week commencing 12th April 2027.
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Yes. We welcome submissions of performance-based work. Your submission will be assessed by the judges via video, so please provide a link to a recording of the performance as part of your application.
If selected, your performance will take place live at Fabrica as part of Unfold. Performances will be scheduled on selected dates during the exhibition period, with a choice of available dates offered to selected artists.
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View the Terms & Conditions for Unfold HERE
THE JUDGES
We are delighted to introduce the first member of our esteemed five-person judging panel for Unfold. The remaining judges will be announced throughout the open call.
Liz is a Co-director at Fabrica, which she helped found as an artist 30 years ago.
Over this timeframe she has been instrumental in building Fabrica’s reputation as a commissioner and producer of new work for Fabrica’s unique space and audiences.
I’ve worked with hundreds of artists in Fabrica’s space since 1996 and I’m always amazed at how differently artists respond to the building and the ideas that they associate with it. I’m really excited about how this new partnership with Sussex Contemporary, is giving so many artists who are new to Fabrica the chance to exhibit here.
Liz Whitehead
Unfold 2027 Prizes
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FABRICA + SUSSEX CONTEMPORARY AWARD FOR THE WINDOW GALLERY 2027
As part of the open call for Unfold we will be awarding one artist the opportunity to show a photographic image in Fabrica’s picture window between May and September 2027, after the exhibition in the main hall has finished.
Fabrica is partnering with Sussex Contemporary for this award to present excellent photographic work by a UK-based artist.
With the window facing directly out onto Duke Street, one of Brighton’s busiest pedestrianised quarters, located between The Lanes and Churchill Square, which are two very popular shopping destinations. The main city centre pubs and clubs are also nearby so the street is normally busy into the evening and throughout the night.
The image would be exhibited between May – September 2027, though may be occasionally removed for short periods around Fabrica’s venue hire commitments.
Information about the selected artist and the image will be featured on Fabrica’s website and via other promotional materials produced by Fabrica.
This opportunity is only open to artists currently residing in the UK.
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THE WeAreSussex PRIZE
One selected artist will receive a year’s access to the monthly WeAreBrighton talks, alongside a series of mentoring sessions with Jo Myles, Creative Director and Founder of Sussex Contemporary. The prize is designed to support the artist’s ongoing creative and professional development beyond the Unfold exhibition. Working closely with Jo, the selected artist will have the opportunity to explore key aspects of building a sustainable career in the arts, from clarifying artistic direction and refining project ideas, to understanding audiences, partnerships, and opportunities for growth.
This programme brings together artists, curators, producers, and industry professionals to share knowledge, tools, and insights that help artists navigate the realities of working in the creative sector. Sessions explore topics such as developing your artistic voice, funding and income streams, presenting your work, building networks, and sustaining a creative practice over time.
Together, the mentoring and programme provide a supportive environment for reflection, learning, and strategic thinking. The wearebrighton Prize offers a valuable opportunity for an artist who is ready to invest in the development of their practice and gain practical guidance on turning creative ambition into a thriving professional journey.