Chelmsford Museum invites local artists to submit artwork for display

Local artists are invited to submit their artwork for display at Chelmsford Museum. The museum has teamed up with the city’s creative network, Ignite Chelmsford, in a new rotating programme that will make space for local artists to showcase their work.

A professional space for Chelmsford creatives

Chelmsford Museum’s Gallery Wall is a dedicated space for Chelmsford artists to exhibit their work in a public gallery, located in a venue that receives over 80,000 visitors a year.

The Gallery Wall has showcased some incredible local artists in recent years. The 2D works previously exhibited have ranged greatly, from Oleksii Semenenko’s stunning photographic landscapes of Ukraine and Carole Wellby’s chalk and paint portraits of animals, to George Morl’s ‘Electrum Spektrum’ installation tracing the evolution of social and technological networks.

Varied artworks have been displayed on the Gallery Wall, from photographs of Ukraine and chalk drawings of animals to George Morl's 'Electrum Specktrum' installation.

New programme to highlight district’s diverse artistic community

This year, the museum is relaunching the Gallery Wall programme with a renewed focus on representing diverse communities of both emerging and experienced Chelmsford-based artists.

The museum aims to exhibit a range of artforms, themes and perspectives through regular rotating displays, and the team is now searching for new artists to get involved in 2024.

Artwork by Peter J Robson and Pam Bickle on display in 2022.

This callout aims to attract creatives from different backgrounds and is particularly looking for applications from groups traditionally underrepresented in museums and galleries, including non-graduates, disabled people, D/deaf people, neurodiverse individuals, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those from Black, Asian and mixed/multiple ethnic backgrounds.

Over time, the Gallery Wall programme will explore different artists and subjects, highlighting the huge breadth and depth of talent that exists across the district.

Chelmsford Museum curator, Claire Willetts, says the selection panel is looking for varied artwork that reflects Chelmsford’s contemporary creative industry:

“

We’re looking for works of art that really celebrate Chelmsford’s contemporary artists – whether that’s experienced professional artists or emerging talent. I’d love to see a varied mix of submissions covering all mediums of art, from photography and painting to glass, resin and mixed media – as long as it is 2D and suitable for hanging on a wall. I’d really encourage all creatives across Chelmsford to apply for this exciting opportunity to see your work displayed in a high-quality gallery space!

Claire Willetts, Curatorial and Learning Officer, Chelmsford Museum

Elaine Tribley, Ignite Chelmsford Partner and part of the Gallery Wall selection panel, hopes the programme will represent all of Chelmsford’s communities in a balanced way:

“

"We're really looking forward to seeing the range of artistic talent in the Chelmsford district and very excited to be part of the panel tasked with the selection. We want to create displays that are inclusive and challenging, exploring the variety of mediums and subject matter that you, our local communities, are making. Ignite Chelmsford is all about connecting and inspiring, so this is an ideal collaboration to meet new creatives in the City!"

Elaine Tribley, Ignite Partner, artist and designer

Who can apply?

Chelmsford Museum and Ignite Chelmsford are inviting anyone to apply for this opportunity. Applications can be submitted by an individual artist or a group, and varied art genres and themes are accepted. There is no minimum ability or formal qualification requirement to take part and people from different educational backgrounds are welcome to apply.

The only requirements of the callout are that applicants live, work or study in the Chelmsford district; that they are over 16 years of age; and artworks submitted must be in 2D in order to be hung to the Gallery Wall.

Apply by 31 May 2024

The open call for artists closes on Friday 31 May 2024. Following this, a panel made up of Ignite Chelmsford partners and Chelmsford Museum staff will review the submissions and contact successful applicants by 7 June.

The first exhibition of artwork will appear on the Gallery Wall in July 2024. The display will rotate to showcase a different artist or group of artists every three months. Some of the artwork on display will be available for purchase.

To make your submission, visit the Chelmsford Museum website.