CATS! International Open Call 2026

    Exhibit and sell your work in Norwich, United Kingdom.Early Bird: £10
    Deadline: 31 May 2026    Open to artists worldwide · All visual media accepted

    Exhibition & Cat Art Market

    TWO WAYS TO PARTICIPATE[ THE MAIN EXHIBITION ]
    Selected works will be presented in a curated physical exhibition at Esselum Gallery in Norwich, United Kingdom, alongside an international online showcase.    [ THE CAT ART MARKET ]
    Artists not selected for the main exhibition may still be invited to participate in the Cat Art Market, where prints and merchandise will be available for sale to visitors and online audiences.    This structure allows more artists to be involved while providing additional opportunities for visibility and sales.

    Submission Details

    [ ELIGIBILITY AND ARTWORK REQUIREMENTS ]Open to artists worldwide at any career stage.
    All visual media is accepted, including painting, illustration, photography, printmaking, and mixed media.    Maximum artwork size: 100 cm on the longest side.
    All works must be ready to display.    ––––––––––––––––––––[ SUBMISSION FEES ]EARLY BIRD (until 15 April 2026)
    1 artwork – £10
    2 artworks – £13
    3 artworks – £16
    4 artworks – £19
    5 artworks – £22    STANDARD (16 April – 31 May 2026)
    1 artwork – £15
    2 artworks – £18
    3 artworks – £21
    4 artworks – £24
    5 artworks – £27    Selection is limited due to gallery space.––––––––––––––––––––[ SHIPPING AND PRINT SERVICE ]Artists may ship original artworks to the gallery or choose to submit digital files and use our gallery print service.
    This option is designed to make participation accessible for international artists and to reduce shipping costs.    ––––––––––––––––––––[ TIMELINE ]23 March 2026 – Open call launch
    31 May 2026 – Submission deadline
    4 June 2026 – Results announced
    July 2026 – Exhibition and Cat Art Market
    August 2026 – Sales reports, payments, and artwork returns    ––––––––––––––––––––[ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ]Can I submit digital artwork?
    Yes. Digital works can be exhibited using our print service.    Can I submit more than one artwork?
    Yes. You may submit up to three works and select the corresponding submission fee.    How are works selected?
    All submissions are reviewed by the gallery curatorial team.

    About Esselum Gallery

    "Located in the heart of Norwich's vibrant creative district, Esselum Gallery is a contemporary art space housed in a uniquely converted shipping container.
    We provide an intimate and high-impact setting for international works, connecting global artists with the local UK art community."    The gallery focuses on supporting emerging and international artists through curated exhibitions, experimental projects, and accessible art events.If you create work inspired by cats — whether playful, symbolic, surreal, or conceptual — we encourage you to submit and be part of this international exhibition and art market.📍 Location
    Unit 47, St Saviour’s Yard, Magdalen Street, Norwich NR3 1GQ, United Kingdom    Support & Assistance
    For any technical issues with the form or questions regarding the entry fee payment, please contact the Esselum Gallery team at [[email protected]].    Please include "CATS! Inquiry - [Your Name]" in the subject line for a faster response.

    Terms & Conditions

    A. Copyright & Ownership
    Copyright of the submitted artwork remains with the artist. However, by entering this Open Call, the artist grants Esselum Gallery a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, and display the images of the artwork for the purposes of exhibition, promotion, catalogs, and social media coverage related to the event.    B. Privacy Policy & Personal Information
    All personal information collected during the application process will be used exclusively for the selection, communication, and operational management of the International Cat Art Exhibition 2026. Esselum Gallery guarantees that your personal data will be kept secure and will not be shared with, or sold to, any third parties.    C. Announcement of Results
    The final selection results will be officially announced on June 15, 2026, via our official website and social media channels. Selected artists will also be notified individually via their registered email address.