Download as PDF

Black Swan Arts Open Competition 2026 - Terms & Conditions of Entry

Button to enter - Art Open 2018
Button to resume your entry - Art Open 2018
Button to terms & conditions - Art Open 2018
Button to guidelines - Art Open 2018
  1. Online submissions open: Sunday, February 1st 2026.
  2. Submission deadline: Monday, June 1st 2026.
  3. Entries will only be accepted once the submission fee has been paid in full.
  4. All artworks submitted must be for sale for no more than £1,250.
  5. Upon successful submission, the artist accepts that images supplied may be used by Black Swan Arts in promotional material.  If requested, the artist will supply high resolution images (between 1-4MB) of selected artworks for use in printed and electronic media and press releases. The artist agrees for these images to be reduced, enlarged or slightly cropped to suit promotional purposes if required.
  6. All artworks must be made and designed by the named artist on the submission form. If AI has been used in the creation of the work, this must be clearly stated at the time of submission. Works generated entirely by AI will not be accepted.
  7. All artworks must be made and designed by the named artist on the submission form. If AI has been used in the creation of the work, this must be clearly stated at the time of submission. Works generated entirely by AI will not be accepted.

    All artworks shown in the submitted images must be available for the full duration of the exhibition. Substitute works will not be accepted. If a selected artwork is unavailable or differs from the submitted image, Black Swan Arts reserves the right to disqualify the submission without refund.
  8. The submission fee is £20 per artwork entered. The maximum number of entries allowed is four. If your artwork is not selected for inclusion in the exhibition the entry fee WILL NOT be refunded.
  9. A panel of art practitioners and experts will select artworks for the exhibition.  From them the prize-winners will be chosen. The decisions of the selectors and judges are final and non-negotiable.
  10. Notification of selection: by Monday, June 15th 2026.
  11. Delivery of selected artwork to Black Swan Arts between Sunday, August 2nd and Monday, August 3rd 2026.  Successful applicants must ensure delivery of artworks to 2 Bridge St, Frome, BA11 1BB between10am and 4pm on those dates.
  12. All accepted 2-D artworks must be fitted with mirror plates.
  13. 2-D artworks should not be longer than 1.5 metres along the longest edge (including frame).
  14. 3-D artwork must require no more than 1 square metre of floorspace.
  15. Art deposited at the gallery must be unwrapped by the person delivering it and the wrapping taken away.  The artist must make suitable arrangements for the return of any artwork being posted or couriered.
  16. The judges will select the winners on the afternoon of Thursday, August 6th 2026.  Prize-winners will be informed by phone or e-mail. All prize-winners are asked to make themselves available to attend the Launch Evening and Prize-giving at 6pm on Friday, August 7th 2026.
  17. The judges’ decisions are final.
  18. The confirmed prize-winning artworks/artists will appear on the Black Swan Arts website: www.blackswanarts.org.uk
  19. At the end of the exhibition, collection of (unsold) artworks must take place on Sunday, September 27th (between 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. only) or on Monday, September 28th or Tuesday, September 29th, from the Long Gallery between 10am and 4pm. Couriers should be booked to pick up on either Monday, September 28th or Tuesday, September 29th 2026, between those times.  Black Swan Arts will not arrange your courier.
  20. Black Swan Arts will dispose of any artwork not collected within two weeks of the closing of the exhibition. Black Swan Arts will not pay any return postage costs.
  21. Transport and delivery of artworks and any associated costs are the responsibility of the artist.
  22. Work to be returned by post should be supplied in appropriate packaging (with a pre-paid return address label), which will be re-used.
  23. Black Swan Arts will not insure any artworks delivered against loss, theft, malicious, accidental or environmental damage while it is in transit or in another’s custody. After successful delivery to the gallery and until collection by the artist or designated representative, all items exhibited are fully insured for the duration.
  24. Black Swan Arts reserves the right to sell or dispose of any work not collected by Friday, September 16th 2026, with proceeds going to the Black Swan Arts.
  25. The gallery agrees to promote the exhibition within its programme of events via the website: www.blackswan.org.uk; e-newsletters; social media; monthly entries in appropriate listings magazines; press releases to local media and by posters throughout the building and other relevant sites.
  26. Black Swan Arts gallery will take 40% commission on all works sold. Black Swan Arts will collect payment from the purchaser and remunerate the artist 60% of this value by BACS. Bank details will need to be provided by the artist upon request.
  27. Black Swan Arts will not share entrants’ personal information with third parties.

Important dates

Open for entries Sunday, February 1st 2026.
Deadline for entries Monday June 1st 2026.
Selection day Friday, June 12th 2026
Email/phone call to artists selected: Monday, June 15th 2026.
Artwork drop-off Sunday, 2nd August, 10am – 4pm
Monday 3rd August, 10am – 4pm
Artists’ preview and prize-giving: 6:00 p.m. on Friday, August 7th 2026.
Exhibition dates: Saturday, August 8th – Sunday, September 27th 2026.
Artwork collection Sunday, September 27th (from 4:00 p.m.) – Tuesday, September 29th 2026.
Download as PDF