Greater Manchester’s largest open art exhibition is set to take place from Sat 3 Feb to Sun 28 Apr at HOME. The 2024 edition of the Open will see the work of more individual artists than ever before exhibiting their work; 480 in total.

The work will include painting, print, photography, sculpture, ceramics, mixed media, video, audio and performance. Also varied is the age and experience of the artists, with submissions open to all – a fact that is reflected in this year’s entrants who range in age from 5 to 83 years old. As a celebration of art, Manchester Open brings together established professionals, students, graduates, communities, new and emerging talent, enthusiastic amateurs and first-time artists.

For visitors it will be a spectacular experience, with the Open showcasing the wealth of creative talent across Greater Manchester introducing striking and remarkable work, with many of the pieces listed for purchase. This is an exciting aspect for visitors, with the Open a great way to start collecting art or add to your collection. Accompanying the exhibition will be a series of events, which include artist tours, relaxed sessions, Audio Described and BSL tours, and Family Friendly activities.

Clarissa Corfe, HOME’s Creative Producer: Visual Art, says, “2024 is going to be a truly exciting year for Manchester Open. The breadth and quality of work entered has made for an inspiring and stimulating selection process and I’m convinced that in the exhibition there will be something for everyone.”

Over 1,800 submissions were made to the 2024 Open, the highest ever received, and it has been the job of the selection panel to consider every submitted artwork and chose those that will fill the walls and spaces of HOME Gallery. Made up of nine members, the judging panel is reflective of the scale and spectrum of the exhibition, with practicing artists, contemporary art professionals and community members all represented.

The prizes that will be awarded testify to HOME’s commitment to championing art and creativity within Greater Manchester and HOME is delighted to be once again working with Castlefield Gallery on the selection of the winners. There are three Professional Development Awards that are delivered in partnership with Castlefield Gallery, a HOME award that leads to a solo exhibition in the Granada Foundation Galleries at HOME and the Manchester Open People’s Choice Award, which is voted for by exhibition visitors. Each of the winners will also receive a trophy which ceramicist and designer Joe Hartley from Stockport has been commissioned to create especially for the exhibition.

Dave Moutrey, Director and CEO at HOME, says, “Manchester Open is a wonderful celebratory event at HOME that signifies so much of what we are about as an organisation; encouraging art for all and making art accessible to all. This will be the last time I enjoy the Open in my role as Director and CEO at HOME, before I move full time into overseeing the development and delivery of the City’s new Cultural strategy in the spring, so I’m delighted to see that it has gone from strength to strength and is now a highlight on the Greater Manchester cultural calendar.”

Selection panel for Manchester Open 2024: Rebekka Anstem, Lizzie Chapman, Oubowen Chen, Clarissa Corfe, Gherdai Hassell, Hamid Shabir, Kate Vokes, Helen Wewiora, Alice Wilde.

The Manchester Open 2024 is supported by the Oglesby Charitable Trust, the Brian Mercer Trust and The Granada Foundation.

Further information about Manchester Open 2024 can be found here:

Manchester Open 2024