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
Unfold invites artists to explore ideas of emergence, transformation and discovery. It might be interpreted through the physical act of opening or revealing, through the gradual development of an idea, or through experiences of growth, change and connection.
Whether your response is rooted in landscape, material, memory, identity, process or abstraction, we welcome submissions that engage thoughtfully with the theme. We encourage artists working across all disciplines to interpret Unfold in ways that are personal, imaginative and open to conversation.
Why 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 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.
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 RESONANCE 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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Sussex Contemporary began with one major regional exhibition in 2022. Now, as we enter our fourth year in 2025, we deliver an annual programme of four major exhibitions alongside workshops and talks through our dynamic learning programme, THE BUSINESS OF ART. We work with artists, creatives, and collectors from across the UK to create ambitious exhibitions that raise the profile of both our programme and the artists who take part. Looking ahead to 2026, we’ll be delivering major partnership projects as we embark on the next chapter of Sussex Contemporary.
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Yes — entry is £20 per submission. This helps us cover some of the costs involved in staging a major exhibition and remains lower than many comparable open calls (where £20–£30 is common). Please note that paying the entry fee does not guarantee selection, as submissions are judged on artistic merit.
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Yes — all artworks in the exhibitions will be available to buy, and some artists may offer limited edition prints. Sold work will remain on display until the exhibition closes, and we’ll mark it clearly with a red dot.
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We welcome submissions across all media, including (but not limited to):
drawing
sculpture
printmaking
jewellery
photography
ceramics
mixed media
illustration
We also have space for larger installations, audio, video and other contemporary formats.
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This project with Fabrica is a shared revenue project which means that any monies left after the total exhibition costs are paid the amound of money left is shared between Fabrica and Sussex Contemporary.
Some of our selected open calls cost £15, so why is this one £20?
This exhibition requires a total build of the exhibition space, Fabrica does not have exhibition ready space se we bring in our team of art technicians to build the gallery space so it is ready for us to hang onto.
We actively keep our open calls as affordable as possible. Our £15 open calls are for spaces that already have inbuilt high standard gallery space we can hang onto.
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View the Terms & Conditions for Resonance HERE
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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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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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No, once the form is submitted then the information cannot be changed. The form we use saves partial responses so you can change answers right up until you press submit but once the form has been submitted the form is locked and you cannot see, review or amend your answers. description
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We recruit a panel of independent selectors who are well respected in the art world. The organisers do not influence the choice. Work is selected on artistic merit alone, and submissions are assessed anonymously wherever possible. Selectors look at the quality of the work and how it responds to the brief/theme.
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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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If your diptych 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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No additional exhibition fee is charged if your work is selected. If your artwork sells, Sussex Contemporary takes a 30% commission.
Artists are responsible for:
delivering and collecting their work
ensuring work is gallery-ready (e.g., framed where appropriate and correctly strung)
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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.
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 BUSINESS OF ART PRIZE
The winning artist will receive six one-to-one mentoring sessions with our Creative Director, Jo Myles. These tailored sessions are designed to support artists in developing the practical and professional side of their creative practice. 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.
Alongside this personalised mentoring, the prize also includes access to our annual programme of talks and workshops, The Business of Art. 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 Business of Art 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.
People-First Approach
A Focus on Quality
Long-Term Relationships