Perennial 2026 – OPEN CALL

Haarlem Artspace’s annual community exhibition celebrating artists connected to Wirksworth and the surrounding creative community.

PERENNIAL is open to artists of all ages, disciplines and career stages. We’re interested in bringing together old friends, new faces and anyone who feels a geographic, academic or spiritual connection to Haarlem Artspace, Wirksworth or the wider region.

WHO CAN APPLY?

Artists with a connection to:

• Derbyshire
• Nottinghamshire
• Leicestershire
• Lincolnshire
• South Yorkshire

Artists with an academic, creative, spiritual or personal connection to Haarlem Artspace, Wirksworth or the surrounding region

Artists who would like to make a connection with the Haarlem Artspace creative community

WHAT CAN I SUBMIT?

• Up to 3 works (1 will be selected)
• Any discipline
• 2D, 3D, moving image, sound, installation etc
• Work must be exhibition-ready

IMPORTANT ACCESS INFORMATION

Please note:

• Haarlem Artspace is only accessible via a flight of stairs
• Large or extremely heavy works may not be suitable
• Artists selected for installation-based work may be contacted to discuss practical requirements

DELIVERY + COLLECTION

THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.

All selected artists must be able to:

• deliver work during the designated delivery period
• collect work during the designated collection period

Works must be delivered to and collected from either:

• Haarlem Artspace, Wirksworth
• Lime Gallery, Nottingham

Unfortunately we cannot store work outside these dates or arrange shipping/couriers on behalf of artists.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Applications should include:

• artist name
• brief bio/statement
• title, dimensions and medium for submitted works
• website/social links (optional)
• up to 3 JPEG images

Image guidelines:

• JPEG only
• maximum 1MB per image
• smartphone documentation is completely fine

SELECTION

Works will be selected by an impartial panel, not the gallery directors.

Due to space limitations, not all submissions can be included. We expect to exhibit approximately 100 works.

EVENTS

This year PERENNIAL will include:

• an opening party
• a literal wrap party & award ceremony

AND Two artists from the exhibition will also be selected for a future duo exhibition at Haarlem Artspace.

This year’s exhibition will run open on Friday August 28 and close on Sunday September 20.

ENTRY FEE

FREE

SUBMISSION DEADLINE

MIDNIGHT JULY 5

DELIVERY PERIOD

TO HAARLEM ARTSPACE

JULY 30 – AUGUST 2

&

AUGUST 7 – AUGUST 9

*NOTE WE WILL ACCEPT DELIVERIES VIA POST TO HAARLEM ARTSPACE BUT WORKS MUST BE COLLECTED IN PERSON

** ACCEPTED LARGER ARTWORKS MUST BE DELIVERED DIRECTLY TO HAARLEM ARTSPACE

TO LIME GALLERY, NOTTINGHAM

JULY 27 – AUGUST 1

COLLECTION PERIOD

FROM HAARLEM ARTSPACE

WRAP PARTY SEPTEMBER 20

This year we are holding a LITERAL wrap party for Perennial on Sunday 20th September. We invite you to come and wrap, pack and collect your work, have a drink at the famous Featherstar Alehouse (downstairs) and then join us at 4pm for the 2nd Annual Perennial Awards!

Alternatively, you can collect your work from Haarlem Artspace on the following dates:

SEPTEMBER 21 – SEPTEMBER 24 12-4pm

Or

FROM LIME GALLERY, NOTTINGHAM

SEPTEMBER 27 – OCTOBER 3 10-4pm