Open Call: Assembly 2026

Zealous Co; Walsall; On-site; GBP 1,500; Full time

Job summary

A local arts organization is inviting emerging artists residing in the Black Country to apply for an exhibition programme. Successful artists will receive development support, a £1,500 commission, and a chance to exhibit their work at The New Art Gallery Walsall. Applications must include a CV, work examples, and a statement on their artistic practice.

Qualifications

• Open to emerging artists of all ages currently living and creating work in the Black Country.
• Ability to communicate ideas through a statement and images, or video/audio clip.

Responsibilities

• Create new work with the commission fee and production budget.
• Participate in the group exhibition at The New Art Gallery Walsall.

Job description

Multistory & The New Art Gallery Walsall

Free to Apply

Closing: 15th October ’25

Assembly is an annual exhibition programme of newly commissioned work by emerging artists based in the Black Country (within the Sandwell, Walsall, Dudley and Wolverhampton boroughs). Three selected visual artists will receive development support and mentoring from both organisations, a commission fee of £1,500 to create new work, and access to a production budget. The programme culminates in a group exhibition at The New Art Gallery Walsall in the Floor 4 Gallery between July and October 2026. The opportunity is open to emerging artists of all ages who are currently living and making work in the Black Country – whether fairly new to their practice or having been making work for a while without adequate support or exposure. Applications require a statement (max 300 words) describing practice and ideas for new work, CV with contact details, and up to 10 images of work examples. Alternative applications can be submitted as video or audio clips up to 3 minutes long. The programme is part of Multistory’s Blast Creative Network (BCN) artist development programme.