All competitions · Open call / exhibition
Wells Art Contemporary (WAC) 2026
Wells Art Contemporary · Wells, United Kingdom
Annual international open-submission exhibition of contemporary art in all media at Wells Cathedral, Somerset, with gallery and site-specific installation strands. Cash prizes and a residency; 2026 exhibition 10 October to 7 November.
Your eligibility
Tell us about yourself and we will check these rules against your details. Nothing leaves your device until you sign in.
Who can enter
- Location
- Open worldwide
- Age
- 18 and over
- Career stage
- Any
- Mediums
- Any medium
- Entries
- Up to 4 works per artist
- Size limits
- Max 3.5m (W) x 2.5m (H) x 2m (D)
- Submission
- Online submission
- Also
- Open to UK and international artists aged 18+. Maximum four works per artist. Two strands: Gallery (2D/3D) and Site-Specific Installations.
About
Wells Art Contemporary, established in 2012, is an international open competition and exhibition held in the cloisters and grounds of Wells Cathedral. Around 100 works are selected by a panel of artists and art professionals across two strands: a white-wall gallery exhibition for 2D and 3D work and site-specific installations for the cathedral interior or grounds.
It is open to UK and international artists aged 18 and over. Up to four works may be entered per artist; works must fit within 3.5m (W) x 2.5m (H) x 2m (D).
Selected artists exhibit to a large cathedral audience and are eligible for prizes including the Howden Art Award (£2,000), the Simon Gillespie Studio Painting Prize (£2,000), a People's Choice Prize (£500) and a three-week residency in Provence.