Exhibition and Commission Opportunities

A place for your art

Championing creativity and giving artists a platform to share their voice is a vital part of why The Harris exists. We offer exciting opportunities for artists, makers, and creatives to exhibit work and develop new commissions that engage with our collections, communities, and contemporary conversations.

New spaces for your work

The Harris is more than a museum, library, and gallery, it’s a space where art, learning, and community come together. We’re preparing to reopen soon and we’re looking for the best people to help shape the next chapter of our story.

The Harris transformation means we now have a wider range of flexible and inspiring spaces for artists to exhibit in, including:

  • Gallery Two – a specific space designed for community input.

We always welcome proposals from artists. You can work in any discipline and be at any stage of your career. Whether you’re interested in a solo show, a collaborative project, or a site-specific commission, we’d love to hear from you.

Gallery Two Submissions

Interested in hosting your very own exhibition inside the Harris?

Gallery 2 is our community gallery space on the first floor of the building which welcomes any kind of exhibition proposal twice a year.

Whether you apply as an individual or a group, your Gallery 2 exhibition could be anything of cultural, artistic, scientific or historic interest!

  • A solo art exhibition
  • A group/community exhibition
  • A display of personal objects
  • A celebration of a hobby
  • A collection of artefacts

Submissions open on Friday 1st May 2026 and close on Sunday 31st May 2026.

To express your interest, you will need to complete a Gallery Two exhibition application form.

Apply here


Successful exhibition proposals will be selected by the Harris’ Programme Advisory Group – a group of nine people who represent Preston’s local community and the following backgrounds:

  • Young people. 
  • People from different employment backgrounds. 
  • People with young families. 
  • Local creatives and learners. 
  • People from underrepresented backgrounds. For example, people from an ethnic minority, people with disabilities or LGBTQ+ Individuals 
  • People who are acting as local community representatives. 

The Harris’ Programme Advisory Group exists to give a fresh perspective, make suggestions, bring a positive outlook, ask difficult questions, and use their local knowledge and experience to help shape the Harris’ future exhibitions and events so that they are relevant to the people of Preston.

We will be releasing the criteria to apply for a Gallery Two exhibition very soon. Please check back on this page for updates near to the submission date.

FAQs

When can I submit my exhibition proposal?

We have 2 submission dates per year usually one in the spring and one in the autumn. This year, the submission dates are 1st May 2026 and 1st September 2026. We programme 4 temporary exhibitions per year in Gallery Two, sometimes we plan a year in advance.

When will my proposal be reviewed?

We will review the submissions with the Harris’ Programme Advisory Group, at meetings which take place 6 times per year. You will then be contacted outlining the decision within 10 weeks of the submission deadline.

If my exhibition is successful, when will it open to the public?

There are two programming slots to fill:

  • 17th October 2026 – 10th January 2027
  • Saturday 23rd January 2027 – Sunday 11th April 2027

The Harris team will be in touch with you to discuss which slot is the best fit for you and your exhibition.

What if I have queries about my proposal?

You can contact the Gallery 2 team via email: [email protected]

What resources are available to help me with my proposal?

Proposals must be self-sufficient. We can support you with the design and installation of your exhibition. The Harris has a small budget to provide exhibitors with labels/other print and plinths/cases if needed. Members of The Harris team will be available to help with your installation and take down.

For artists and organisations who would like to apply for funding we are happy to give you a letter of support. We do not offer an artist fee.

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