Open Art 2009

• The Bolton Museum, Aquarium and Archive 2009 Open Art Exhibition will take place from 28 November 2009 to 23 January 2010.

• This year we are welcoming submissions of original craft as well as visual art.

• A maximum of two works may be submitted by each artist. 

Prizes

The 2009 Open Art Award will award the following prizes.

• £500 1st Prize - Sponsored by Bolton Community College
• £200 2nd Prize - Sponsored by University of Bolton
  
• £100 3rd Prize - Sponsored by University of Bolton

Entry guidelines

Who can enter?

• Artists must currently live, work or be in education within the borough of Bolton.
• Artists must be 16 years of age or over.

What can be entered?

• Work may be in any visual arts medium (except installations, performance or work requiring electricity).
• Original craft will be accepted.
• Work should not exceed 180cm in any dimension and should not need more than two people to carry it.
• All work entered must be original and produced within the last three years.
• Work that has previously been submitted to an Open Art Exhibition at Bolton Museum, Aquarium and Archive will not be accepted.
  
• Three-dimensional work should be sufficiently robust for open display on plinths: the museum will supply plinths. Display cases will not be used for large works. A limited number of display cases will be used to show small three-dimensional works.
  

There are two classes for submission:

• Class 1: Wall mounted work: e.g. painting, printing, wall hangings, photography, framed textiles.
• Class 2: Plinth, floor based or free standing work: e.g. sculpture, ceramics, glass.

How do I enter works of art?

• Each artist must submit one completed Entry Form.
• A maximum of two works may be submitted by each artist.
• Works will not be accepted at any other times than those stated below.
• All works must be delivered by the artist or by someone acting on their behalf. Works sent by post or carrier will not be accepted.
• Works should be submitted unwrapped. Please mark ‘TOP’ on back of works.

Class 1

• For Class 1 work, please complete the entry labels and attach one to the back of each piece of work.
• All frames, including metal ones, should be fitted with clean brass mirror-plates facing outward half-way down each side. Works will not be accepted unless they have screwed on mirror plates. Clip frames will not be accepted.
• All Class 1 works must be handed in at Bolton Museum, Aquarium and Archive on Friday 13 November, 10am to 4.30pm or Saturday 14 November, 10am to 4.30pm.

Class 2

• Artists submitting Class 2 work should post or deliver up to six good photographs of each piece of work, with a completed entry form. These have to be at the museum by 4.30pm on Saturday 14 November 2009.
• If a Class 2 work is selected, the artists must undertake to deliver the work to the Museum to comply with installation requirements.

How much does it cost to enter?

• The entry fee is £5 (£2 concessions) per work payable at the time of submission. This may be in cash, or by cheque made payable to "Bolton Council".
• The entry fee is not refundable.
• Concessions include senior citizens, those on Job Seekers Allowance and students (proof required in all cases at time of entry).

Is my work insured while in the exhibition?

• Bolton Council will not insure any works, and cannot be held liable for any loss or damage however caused.
• All works entered should, if required, be insured by the artist against loss or damage whilst on the premises of Bolton Museum, Aquarium and Archive.

How will the judging take place?

• The judges will select solely on their assessment of artistic quality.
• Display space is limited, and the exhibition may include none, one or two works by an artist.
• The judges decisions will be final and binding, and no discussion will be entered into.
• The results of the judging will be emailed (or posted) to the artists on Friday 20 November. Prize winners will be contacted by telephone.
• Work may be photographed to publicise the exhibition and may be illustrated on the museum’s website: www.boltonmuseums.co.uk.

Can works be sold during the exhibition?

• Yes, artists can choose to have their work for sale in the exhibition.
• Bolton Museum and Archive Service will charge a commission rate of 30% (plus VAT) on any work sold during the exhibition.
• Prices should include the frame where applicable. Prices cannot be advertised as negotiable or be altered during the exhibition.
• Work not for sale should be marked N.F.S. on the Entry Form.
• No exhibited work may be removed before the end of the exhibition.

When should work that is not selected be picked up?

• Work that is not selected should be picked up on: Saturday 21 November, 10am to 4.30pm or Tuesday 24 November, 10am to 7pm.

When should exhibited work be picked up?

• Exhibited work must be collected after the exhibition has closed on: Thursday 28 January 2010, 10am-7pm or Saturday 30 January 2010, 10am - 4.30pm
• Exhibited work cannot be collected before these dates.
• Any work remaining in the museum after Saturday 30 January 2010
• will be disposed of by the museum in any way it chooses.

When is the exhibition open?

• The official opening of the exhibition and presentation of prizes will
• take place at Bolton Museum, Aquarium and Archive on: Friday 27 November, 6.30pm to 8pm.
• The Open Art Exhibition is open to the public from:Saturday 28 November 2009 to 23 January 2010, Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm. Admission free.

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