OPEN Exhibition

OPEN26 
Sustainability

Submissions opening soon!

It's time once again for Worthing Museum to celebrate the creativity of our local artists, communities, and the beautiful Sussex environment! What better way to reopen the museum after an extended closure than with OPEN26.

Thanks to National Lottery players, we've been able to remove the entry fee this year, making it easier than ever to take part in this much-loved community event and exhibition at Worthing Museum. However, we would be extremely grateful if you would consider supporting the museum by making a donation. 

Your museum has undergone a significant transformation to become more sustainable, and this is just the beginning. We'll continue to develop, transform and improve over the coming years. To celebrate this exciting new chapter, we'll invite you to submit up to three artworks inspired by the theme "Sustainability". 

Entries will open online via our website, with details available soon. You'll be able to submit details of up to three 2D or 3D artworks (with images) from Wednesday 3 December via the online entry system. 

If you're unable to enter online, hard-copy entry forms will be available from the Connaught Theatre and the Pavilion Theatre during opening hours. Forms can also be mailed out if needed. 

Just so you know, the museum remains closed until the end of March. 

The deadline for submissions is 5pm Monday 23 February 2026.

We are deeply grateful to the Worthing and Sussex communities, whose enthusiasm and creativity have made our open exhibitions such a success. The number of entries continues to grow each year, and we've listened carefully to your feedback. 

This year, we're introducing a two-stage selection process, one online and one in the museum. This approach reduces the need for artists to arrange a delivery and collection during the initial stage, saving time and effort if your work isn't selected online. It also helps us handle fewer pieces with greater care during the in-person selection process. 

Finally, we look forward to welcoming everyone, whether or not your work is selected, to the OPEN26 Celebration Event in March. This will be a truly special occasion, marking both the unveiling of a major transformation at your museum and the return of a much-loved and highly regarded community exhibition.  

This year's exhibition is completly free, thanks to the generous support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund. 

More about WTM's OPEN Exhibitions