Festival Weekend 2026

Artist, Maker & Designer OPEN CALL

The Festival Weekend

2026 Open Call Process

This open call invites artists, makers, designers and workshop providers to apply for the 2026 Lady Bay Arts Festival Weekend on the 16th & 17th of May 2026. Apply here(hotlink)

You can apply as:

Artist, designer, maker category.  The ‘Festival Weekend’ is a brilliant opportunity to showcase your work irrespective of medium in a range of venues across the event. The primary focus of this category is showing your work to new audiences although selling of work is encouraged. You can also apply as a group.

Workshop Provider. We want to offer a broad range of activities over the festival weekend on the 17th & 18th May 2026. This open call invites workshop providers to be considered for selection.

Demonstrating work. We are keen to hear from people who would like to demonstrate their process

Lady Bay Arts supports all types of art, making and design and we will use the open call process to ensure diversity across the public venues, businesses, and home venues.

The open call will be live from 6pm on the 17th of December to 6pm on the 14th of January 2026.

All submissions must be made using the Google form linked below. Submissions by email will not be accepted.

The venues that are part of the Lady Bay Arts Festival Weekend

The Festival Weekend is a celebration of creative communities across Lady Bay. Home venues across Lady Bay make the festival distinctive by generously opening their space to the public.

The Festival Weekend Also includes Lady Bay Church & Halls, Lady Bay School, The Scout Hall, the Lady Bay Pub, the Poppy & Pint and local businesses.

Submission form:

Festival Weekend 2026 Open Call - Terms & Conditions

The open call process

  • This call is open to all creative practitioners aged 18+ working in any level and medium, including students.

  • Submissions from practitioners under the age of 18 are encouraged but require the support of an adult.

  • We will only consider one submission per applicant/applicant group.

  • There is no fee for submitting to take part in the Lady Bay Arts Festival Weekend, however a fee of £50 per person selected will be payable.

  • Submissions will only be accepted using the google form on this page, submissions sent by email will not be included.

  • The Open Call for artists, makers and designers will be open from 6pm on the 17th of December to 6pm on the 14th of January 2026. Any submissions made after this time will not be included in the selection process.

Participation in the Lady Bay Arts Festival Weekend 2026

  • Upon selection participants will be responsible for establishing and maintaining contact with Lady Bay Arts, the key contact relating to the venue and will need to ensure relevant information is provided at key points.

  • Participants will be responsible for transporting and installing work, and for adherence to health and safety best practice.

  • Participants are expected to ensure that that their work is monitored at all times over the Festival Weekend of the 16th and 17th of May.

  • Participants are required to be present over the weekend so that they are able to interact with the public.

  • The Lady Bay Arts coordinator and steering group will not be responsible for any damages should the work have not been correctly installed and monitored.

  • Participation in the Lady Bay Arts does not impact on the intellectual and artist rights.

  • Selected participants will receive a contract outlining the expectations of participation, key dates and the terms and conditions in greater detail.

Selection process

  • The aim of the Open Call is to ensure that a wide range of artists, makers and designers are included in the 2026 Festival Weekend.

  • Decisions will be made based on providing as wide a range of art, making and design as possible.

  • The Lady Bay Arts Steering Group will be part of the selection process and their decisions are final.

  • Lady Bay Arts is unable to offer feedback on submissions.

  • All information will be kept securely in line with the General Data Protection Regulations and will not be disclosed to third parties.