The Rugby Open art exhibition brings together a diverse range of high-quality contemporary art from emerging and established artists from the local area and includes dozens of pieces from across the arts, from paintings and prints to textiles and ceramics.

Artists from Warwickshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and the City of Coventry are invited to submit up to 3 pieces for the exhibition. There is an adult and youth (14-19 years) category. An independent panel of judges selects works for the exhibition. The panel changes each year.

The judging panel for 2026 is:

Hettie Inniss, Artist (recipient of The Artsy Vanguard highlighting the most promising artists working today).
Timothy Davies, Director Grimm Gallery
Cllr Maggie O’Rourke Portfolio holder for Partnerships and Well-being (Adult category only)
Cllr Nooria Sayani- Rugby Borough Council Mayor (Youth category only)

Additional third professional artist judge yet to be announced.

Application Process - a summary

• Artists must live, work or study in Warwickshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire or the City of Coventry
• Artists submit the application form either online or on paper. However the physical work must be delivered for judging by the selection panel.
• Adult category artists can to submit up to 3 pieces for selection into the exhibition. At least one submitted work should be for sale
• Youth category artists can submit up to 2 pieces for selection into the exhibition
• Artists pay the relevant fee on submission of application form (Adult £8.70 per work Youth £5.00 per work - bulk discount available for adult and youth)
• Artists deliver their physical artworks to the gallery for judging by the selection panel
• Judges select works for exhibition.
• Artists collect any unselected works
• Selected artworks are put on exhibition

RUGBY OPEN 2026 IMPORTANT DATES SUMMARY:

• Application forms submission deadline: Monday 23 November
• YOUTH category delivery of physical artwork: Tuesday 24 November 12pm-6.45pm
• ADULT category delivery of physical artwork: Friday 27 November 10.30am-5pm & Saturday 28 November 10.30am-3.30pm
• Selection Panel meets: Monday 30 November
• Notification of selection panel decision: Tuesday 1 December
• Unselected works collection: Wednesday 2 December 12 noon – 7pm
• Preview Event: Tuesday 8 December 5.30pm – 8pm.
• Exhibition Dates: 9 December 2026 – 20 February 2027
• Collection of unsold works: Tuesday 23 February 2027, 10.30am – 7pm

Please see TERMS & CONDITIONS for full details

Applications welcomed from 2 September 2026

Prizes

Overall winner wins grand prize of £1000 plus £500 towards a Floor One Gallery exhibition scheduled for the 2027 Rugby Open

Other prizes:

Youth overall winner £250

Rugby Borough Council Mayor's Award

Brendan O'Rourke Award

The Roodhouse Award

Art at the Alex 2D award

Art at the Alex 3D award

Arts Society Trophy

Rugby and District Arts Society Award

Rugby and District Arts Society Award (YOUTH)

Peoples' Choice Award

Warwickshire Open Studios Award

Northants and Rutland Open Studios Award