OWTSIDE 2026

— APPLY NOW

OWTSIDE is our outdoor gallery space consists of 4 boards (120 x 120cm) installed on the outside of Community House in Peterlee. The work displayed will reflect our place, space, community and our programme.

The purpose of this public micro-gallery is to showcase excellent and diverse artwork and artists. Together, we’ll increase local awareness of the arts activity happening in Community House, and the county-wide No More Nowt programme.

There’s no theme for this submission-based callout, and no limit to the number of times an artist can apply.

This commission is specifically for artists from the Global Majority*, who are currently under-represented within our programme. 

 *Global Majority is a collective term. It refers to people who identify as Black, African, Asian, Brown, Arab, mixed-heritage, are indigenous to the global south, and or, have been routinely racialised as ‘ethnic-minorities’. Globally, these groups currently represent approximately eighty-five per cent (85%) of the world’s population.” - Rosemary Campbell Stephens

We would encourage visual artists working across different artforms to apply. You do not need a connection to Peterlee or County Durham to apply, though preference will be given to North East artists. 

Successful submissions will be wheat-pasted onto the exhibition boards on the side of our building. We will not be able to accept explicit artwork. The work displayed will be selected by the NMN team, alongside some of our community members. 

Successful artists will receive a fee of £500 per board. There are four boards available. 

The deadline for this round of OWTSIDE selection is Monday 12th January at 9am. 

Submissions & Queries: 

Please email: aaron@nomorenowt.org

We’re really looking forward to hearing from you!

FAQs:

Will my original artwork be installed outside?

No, we will accept photos of original artworks, or digital work. These will then be printed and installed on the boards.

Will my original artwork be installed outside?

No, we will accept photos of original artworks, or digital work. These will then be printed onto a weather resistant paper and installed on the boards.

Does my work have to be a square?

No, the boards are 120 x 120cm but we can accept square, landscape or portrait works. Works that aren’t square will be printed in A0 to fit.

I’d not call myself an artist, but I like being creative. Can I apply?

YES!

What happens if my work gets damaged?

We will look to get the piece reprinted and replaced if anything happens to it.

If I apply, then work is installed and I’m not chosen, do I have to reapply?

No, we will keep all applications on file and look at everything when we choose the next work to be installed. However, if you have new work you can send as many applications as you’d like to.

My work isn’t about place, space or the community. Should I apply?

Yes, we have no theme for this open call and will accept any creative work that can be replicated in print. However, we cannot accept explicit work.

When is the deadline for submissions?

The deadline for this round of OWTSIDE selection is Monday 12th January, 2026, at 9am.