Open Call Exhibition
Young Artists (Aged 4-18)
Sat 7 November – Sun 20 December
In this Open Call exhibition, we’re inviting young artists aged 4-18 to submit artwork responding to the theme of Play.
We want to celebrate the creativity, ideas and imagination of young people across Dorset and the New Forest.
Show us what inspires you, what you're curious about, what you love, or simply what ‘Play’ means to you.
Submissions Open: Mon 13th July 2026
Submission Deadline: Thurs 1st October 2026
About the Exhibition
Play is at the heart of Coda's creative practice.
For us, play means being curious - we love exploring ideas, experimenting with materials and making discoveries.
This Summer, we’re inviting young artists aged 4–18 across Dorset and the New Forest to submit artwork responding to the theme of Play.
We want to celebrate the creativity, ideas and imagination of young people across Dorset and the New Forest.
Show us what inspires you, what you're curious about, what you love, or simply what ‘Play’ means to you.
We can't wait to see the world through your eyes.
Selected artwork will be exhibited in the gallery at Coda Music & Arts Trust.
Submission Guidance
We love seeing creative ideas, experimentation and resourceful use of materials.
You can use any materials you enjoy working with, whether that's paint, pencil, collage, textiles, photography, clay, cardboard, digital tools, or something completely different.
To submit to this Open Call, we will ask for an image of your artwork. Start by registering for submission for £3 here.
Who Can Enter?
Children and young people aged 4–18 who live within Dorset and across the New Forest.
We will also welcome submissions from Dorset and New Forest based:
Schools
Youth groups
Community organisations
Arts organisations
Key Dates
Submissions open: Mon 13th July
This is when we will begin receiving digital submissions of artwork.
Submission deadline: Thurs 1st October
This is the final date to digitally submit your artwork.
Artists notified: Thurs 15th October
This is when we will be in touch about the exhibition, following the panel’s review of all artwork submissions.
Delivery of work: Fri 23rd & Sat 24th October
This is when we will need you to physically deliver your artwork to our gallery at Coda Music & Arts Trust (BH23 5QL).
Collection of work: Tues 22nd & Weds 23rd December
This is when we will need you to physically collect your artwork from our gallery at Coda Music & Arts Trust.
Exhibition open: Sat 7th November – Sun 20th December
Submissions
How to Submit
Read our submission T&Cs here. This will provide you with further guidance for submission.
Register your submission through the Coda online shop (£3)* - coda.org.uk/shop/p/open-call-submissions
We'll email you with instructions explaining how to send us your artwork and submission details.
Submission deadline: 1st October 2026
* The £3 submission fee helps cover the costs of running the exhibition and celebrating young artists across Dorset and the New Forest.
We don't want the fee to be a barrier to participation. If the cost would prevent you from taking part, or you have any general questions regarding submission, please get in touch with us via heidi@coda.org.uk.
When you submit your artwork, we'll ask for:
Artist name
Age
Address (of home OR school / group / organisation)
School, group or organisation (optional)
Artwork title
Medium
Dimensions
Artist statement (maximum 80 words)
One digital image of the artwork