ARTIST CALL-OUT FOR EXHIBITION PROPOSALS

Kendal Museum is launching a summer call-out for exhibition proposals to be considered for our People’s Gallery 2025/6 programme — deadline 31st August.

About The People’s Gallery

The People’s Gallery is a large exhibition space on the lower level of Kendal Museum, one of the oldest museums in the UK and home to an eclectic collection of local archaeology, history, geology and natural history from around the globe. Much loved by previous artists and audiences, the gallery is large (100 sqm) and open plan, with historic features such as the original stone floor and pillars from its time as a wool warehouse. The space was re-opened to the public in 2022 to showcase exciting contemporary art in Cumbria. There is a direct link between the gallery, the museum, and Kendal College’s Arts & Media Campus.

We are passionate about sharing emerging and innovative artists with our audiences. The Lake District has a fascinating historical cultural profile, particularly in connection to landscape arts & literature. We are eager to demonstrate that the region continues to thrive creatively, addressing themes and issues pertinent to our local area and its community. In line with this, we are adjusting our programme to be more inclusive and welcome a diversity of art forms, ways of working, and people.

Exhibitions typically run 7-8 weeks during museum opening hours. The People’s Gallery is always free, and open to the public during museum hours. The space is used for free with curatorial, logistical and maintenance support from the friendly Kendal Museum. A sales commission goes to the museum, and the rest goes directly to the artist.

Please note that currently primary access to the gallery is down two flights of stairs, though lift access is due for 2025.

Call-out

The People’s Gallery at Kendal Museum is looking for new artists to exhibit in 2025 and beyond. We are especially interested to support artists or exhibitions that fit one or more of our priorities:

Artists working with new media, or at the intersection of art and science.
Socially engaged practice (especially our audiences of young children and families, or to extend our audience to new groups).
Subject matter related to museum practices (history, storytelling, conservation, decolonising) or our specific collections (geology, taxidermy, entomology, archaeology, local social history).
Themes, methods or installation that are innovative and refreshing to local audiences, and will enrich students’ understanding of the arts.
Young, emerging, non-establishment artists or artists from unserved groups, or those experiencing barriers to arts participation not listed here.
Collectives and groups whose work influences each other or are part of wider projects or research.
Artists who are interested to run workshops in the gallery or museum space.
Concept exhibitions – solo or group exhibitions with a strong theme or story that create a dynamic experience in the space.

Eligibility:

Exhibitions must have a commercial component (works for sale)
Have not exhibited in this space within the last 3 years
Are currently based or have a significant connection to the local area

If you have a proposal that deviates from these guidelines, please be in touch to discuss.

* Applications from artists local to the area will be prioritised. This area is defined as South Lakes, extending to Cumbria more broadly, Lancashire and Yorkshire in special cases.

Submissions

If you are interested in an exhibition at Kendal Museum’s People’s Gallery, please send the following to ila.colley@kendal.ac.uk with “People’s Gallery exhibition proposal” in the subject line.