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 including Perth and Aberdeen to Caithness, Orkney and Shetland. The exhibition will take place at Nairn Community and Arts Centre from 2 – 25 September 2026. The preview will be at the Nairn Community and Arts Centre on Tuesday, 1 September. 

First entry: £10 + £1 booking fee
Second entry: £5 + £1 booking fee

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. Submission fee covers administration 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. 

Selection and notification: The selection for Nairn Open Exhibition 2026 will consist of a collective choice made by the selectors based on the submitted digital material.  Please note that the selectors’ decision is final. The organisers cannot enter into correspondence or discussion over their decisions. Every care is taken, but no responsibility can be accepted for the loss or damage of applications. All applicants will be notified of the selectors’ decision via email by 10 August 2026.