This award-winning annual competition is open to artists of all ages, both amateur and professional, submitting work exploring what is special about Derbyshire.
Entry guidance
The Derbyshire Open Art Competition is a mixed media exhibition of 2-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) works, representational or abstract, using Derbyshire as your inspiration.
What does this county mean to you? Just tell us the Derbyshire link on your entry form.
- Artists may submit up to 2 artworks, either 2D or 3D, in any medium except photographic prints. Digital manipulation may be used as an element of the original artwork. It will then be at the judges’ discretion whether to consider the work.
- All submitted artworks must be original works of art made by you, created in the last 5 years, and must not have been entered into this competition previously.
- 2D work should not exceed 1.5 metres in either dimension. Entries of large or heavy work should be discussed with the museum before the submission dates.
- 2D work must be framed and labelled with your name, address, title of work, medium, price or NFS (not for sale) and the Derbyshire connection. Protective corners should be fitted, and mirror plates attached centrally to the vertical frame sides. Clip frames will not be accepted. Read further guidance on getting your artwork exhibition ready.
- If it is not possible to attach a label to 3D work, please attach a corded luggage label with this information included.
- Work for sale is subject to 30% commission plus VAT at the current rate. Artists will receive payment by cheque after the end of the exhibition, when all monies from purchasers have been received by Derbyshire County Council.
Entry days
You should deliver entries in person at Buxton Museum on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 June, from 10.30am to 4pm.
Entry forms are available at the museum on the day. If you would like to complete one in advance, please email buxton.museum@derbyshire.gov.uk and we can send you a copy by return.
You will be issued a receipt for your work which you need to retain for collection.
Judging
A panel of 4 independent judges will meet on Monday 12 June 2023 to select work to be exhibited and to award prizes. Their decision is final.
The selected artworks will be shown in the 39th Derbyshire Open Art Exhibition at Buxton Museum and Art Gallery which opens on Saturday 24 June 2023.
Prizes
Prize winners will be chosen from the judges' selection as follows:
- the Derbyshire Trophy - £750 purchase prize
- the Friends of Buxton Museum and Art Gallery Trophy - up to £200 purchase prize
- Derbyshire County Council Awards - 5 £200 prizes
- Derbyshire County Council Young Artist Award - £100 prize for an artist aged 18 or under
- commendations - up to 10 £25 prizes
- Visitors' Choice Award supported by Derbyshire County Council - £100 prize
Prizes will be announced at the preview on Saturday 24 June 2023 from 2pm. All entrants are welcome to attend, and refreshments will be available. The Visitors' Choice winner will be announced in August, once visitors to the museum have had a chance to cast their vote.
Collection weekends
Both unselected work and selected work must be collected on the following dates:
Unselected Work:
- Saturday 17 June 2023 from 10.30am to 4pm
- Sunday 18 June 2023 from 12.30pm to 3.30pm
Unselected and Selected Work:
- Saturday 2 September 2023 from 10.30am to 4pm
- Sunday 3 September 2023 from 12.30pm to 3.30pm
Please bring your receipt with you when you collect your work. If you have lost it, please bring some identification along with you. If you ask a friend to collect your work, they must bring your receipt with them. If you have lost your receipt, give your friend a signed note authorising them to collect your work, including the number/s of the work/s.
Work cannot be collected at the preview.
A charge of £10 per work is imposed for collection outside the advertised dates.
The museum will dispose of uncollected work.
The 39th Derbyshire Open Art Exhibition
The exhibition will run from Saturday 24 June 2023 until Friday 1 September 2023. You can visit between the following dates and times:
- Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm
- Sundays, midday to 4pm
- bank holidays, midday to 4pm
- closed on Mondays
For further information email buxton.museum@derbyshire.gov.uk or tel: 01629 533540.