Calling all Artists! The Nairn Open Exhibition returns for 2026, with this year's theme: 'A Sense of A Place: Overland and Underground'. 

Read on for all the information, including key dates, eligibility criteria, and entry guidance, and then click here to pay for and submit your artwork. We can't wait to see your creations!

Guidelines: Nairn Open Exhibition 2026

The Nairn Open Exhibition is an open submission exhibition, part of Nairn Book and Arts Festival, with a theme reflecting a strand running through the Festival programme as a whole. It aspires to showcase the work of artists from the northern regions of Scotland from Perth and Aberdeen to Caithness, Orkney and Shetland. The exhibition will take place at Nairn Community and Arts Centre from 3 – 28 September 2024. The private view will be at the Nairn Community and Arts Centre on Tuesday 2 September.

Eligibility criteria:  

• The Nairn Open Exhibition 2026 is open to artists and makers over the age of 18. 
• Submissions are welcome from Highland Region, Outer Hebrides, Morayshire, Aberdeenshire, Perthshire, Orkney, Shetland. Postcodes: Eligible postcodes: IV1-99, PH1-50, AB1-99, KW1-17, HS1-9, ZS 
• Paintings, original multimedia works, constructed paintings, textiles, prints (not giclee) and drawings accepted.   
• Work must have been produced in the last 4 years and not been previously publicly exhibited (excepting student degree shows).  
• Size of work not to exceed 100cm, including frame, on the longest side. 
• All works must be wall mountable using the hanging system provided at the venue, ie on suitable mounts with rings. Please check that your mounts will be compatible with the system at the Nairn Community and Arts Centre. 

To enter: 
Please download the submission form, or please email info@nairnfestival.co.uk for a submission form, with subject line ‘Open Exhibition’.  

Submissions by digital image only, jpeg format, max 2.5MB, 300 dpi. Please send with completed downloadable submission form to nairnfestivalassistant@gmail.com by 31st July, 2026.  

• Images must be submitted in digital format only. 
• Each image must only be in jpeg format and not exceed 2.5 MB at 300 dpi. 
• Each image must be clearly labelled and correctly orientated corresponding to the order of works on the entry form.  

Submission price £10 per work, second work £5 – limited to two works per entrant. The submission fee covers administrative costs and is non-refundable.    
If you are unable to pay online, you can email us for a submission form as above,  and send a cheque payable to ‘Nairn Book and Arts Festival’  to: Tanera Bryden,  Easter Tomloan, Littlemill, Nairnshire IV12 5UU with your contact details. 

Deadline for submissions: 31 July 2026. The deadline cannot be extended for any reason. Submissions without payment will not be accepted. 

If your work is selected for display: 

Selected works to be dropped off at Nairn Community and Arts Centre from 9am to 3pm on Saturday 29th August, or 9am to 5pm  on Sunday 30th August

Absolutely no late submissions will be accepted.   

Selected work must be ready to hang, framed, or otherwise suitably mounted, with rings attached to the back.  

Work must be adequately wrapped. The Festival will not accept responsibility for work damaged in transit.  

Following selection, the Festival reserves the right not to exhibit work in the event that is in poor condition or badly framed. 

Collection of work: 

Please collect your work from Nairn Community and Arts Centre on Saturday 26 September between 10.00am  and 5.00pm.  Please note that it is your responsibility  - or that of whomever is collecting work on your behalf -  to ensure that you have collected the correct piece of work!  

Sale of work: 

The Festival and Community and Arts Centre will jointly charge 30% commission on all works sold. All works sold must remain in the gallery until the end of the exhibition. A sales contract will be supplied to selected artists. 

Artists Not VAT Registered: 
The Festival and Community and Arts Centre will charge the Artist commission on artworks sold during the exhibition period at a rate of 30% of the selling price.  

Artists VAT Registered: 
The Festival will pay the Artist the selling price less 30% commission plus VAT at the prevailing rate.  If registered for VAT it is the responsibility of the Artist to pay VAT on income derived from sale of their artwork. 

Artist name, address, contact email telephone number, and price must be clearly marked on back of work using submission form. 

NB * Work must be adequately insured by the artist for transport and display in a public place.  

By submitting your work for selection you agree that if selected, images of your work can be used for press and marketing purposes by Nairn Book and Arts Festival. 

*Please note that if you share images of selected work on social media during the exhibition period which results in a sale, commission is still due to the Festival. 

*Please note that the festival will not send sold artwork to buyers. This is the artist’s responsibility. Art work must be picked up either by the buyer themselves or the artist at the end of the exhibition. 

Key Dates:  

Deadline for submission of digital images :  10pm on 1 August  2026 

Successful artists informed by:   10 August 2026 

Submission of work for installation:  Saturday 29 August  (9.00am – 3.00pm)/ Sunday 30 August (9.00am- 5.00pm) 

Preview:  Tuesday 1 September, Nairn Community and Arts Centre. 6.00pm – 8.00pm 

Exhibition dates:  Wednesday 2 September - Friday 25 September 2026 

NB The festival relies on volunteer support to function,  and we will be asking exhibiting artists to assist with invigilating the show where possible if you live relatively locally  - this is a good opportunity to meet your audience/ potential clients. 

Collection of exhibited work:  Saturday 26 September,  from Nairn Community and Arts Centre  10.00am – 5.00pm.