Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair’s unique hybrid model of representing artists directly within a curated exhibition next to individual gallery booths creates opportunities for emerging artists to sit alongside some of the most prominent international printmakers and specialist dealers, while formulating new approaches to contemporary printmaking.

If successful, applicants will have the opportunity to:

• Gain exposure to a new and engaged audience, attracting new clientele

• Be scouted for representation by leading galleries and specialists in print, exhibiting at WCPF

• Sell work to international audiences via The Online Edition x Artsy offering

• Be part of our program of year-long exhibition opportunities

• Receive prestigious prizes and recognition

• Participate in WCPF monthly print drops throughout 2024

• Take part in live artist talks and demonstrations

In addition to this, all applicants (regardless of whether they are selected for the Fair) will receive:

• A free ticket to WCPF24

• Complimentary access to our Art & Business programme, curated with leading industry experts to assist independent artists navigate and stand out in the market

If you work with an original printmaking medium and want to exhibit at the largest celebration of contemporary print, then you’re eligible to apply.

We encourage non-UK based artists to apply too. If you can’t make it to the Fair, there is plenty on The Online Edition and our online programme for you to enjoy.

From vibrant block screen-prints to intricate lithographs and everything in between, if it’s an original print, we want to see it!

• We accept artworks created at any time by a living artist, not just recent work

• ​We accept work-in-progress

• We accepts all forms of original print*

• There are no size restrictions on works. Although works to be exhibited must be framed, unless specifically intended otherwise

*WCPF recognises the term ‘original print’ to be a work of art that was conceived as a print in its first instance, as opposed to a reproduction of another original work

Yes! For students, we offer a £5 discount to your Open Call application. This will be taken off your overall application fee at checkout when you supply valid ID.

We encourage all students to apply.

The application process is straightforward and easy, taking just 5 minutes. Within the application you must provide:

• Digital images of your artwork (no larger than 3MB)

• Artistic statement, written in the third person (max 200 words). See example statement here

• Dimensions in cm (framed & unframed)

• Prices (framed & unframed)

• Number of editions available for sale

• See full terms & conditions here

After the 26 May Deadline, our selection panel of industry experts will get to work. Selected works will be announced on 9 July. Successful artists will then be required to deliver their artwork off at their designated local drop-off point between 4-16 November, to be taken to exhibit at WCPF24!

Successful applicants will be required to adhere to the following outlined dates:

• Application Deadline | 26 May

• Shortlisted Artists Announced | 18 June

• Selected Artists Announced | 09 July

• Directors Cut | 20 July

• Work Drop Off | 04-16 November (at local designated drop off point)

• Private View | 20 November

• WCPF24 | 21-24 November

• The Online Edition | 21 Nov-01 Dec

• Collection of Unsold Work | TBC (from local designation drop off point)

We remain committed to giving artists as many opportunities as possible. Unfortunately we are unable to drop our application fee at this time given the enormous amount of administrative, marketing and technical costs involved in producing an event of this scale, and curating each and every artwork within the Fair. However, we maintain a flexible & cost-effective application fee working on a sliding scale depending on entries submitted, which makes us the lowest ‘cost-per-work’ open call in the UK for those having to take fees.

• Application Fee | £30.00 for first submission, £5.00 per application thereafter.

• Organiser's Commission | 40% +VAT on every sale (excluded framing - we do not take % on framing).

• The entry fee is non-refundable, you can submit up to 6 works.

• You must pay your fee & submit your full application, by 23:59 (GMT) on 26 May 2024.

• Please email info@woolwichprintfair.com if you feel you would qualify for hardship help towards this application fee. These are limited, so please carefully consider if this could be helping someone in greater need before getting in touch.

• Successful artists will be required to pay for framing and delivery of artwork. We have established partnerships available to make these as cost-effective as possible.

Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair is dedicated to providing a platform for independent artists to exhibit their artwork on an international scale.

All applicants (regardless of whether they are selected for the Fair) receive a free ticket to WCPF24, free access to our online Art & Business workshops, and further sales opportunities throughout the year. We hope these offers offset the application fee.

Whilst the open call application fee is as low and flexible as possible, in conjunction with our other offers and opportunities for applicants, we understand that for some artists it is unaffordable. As we are dedicated to supporting all artists, we offer an additional open call hardship fund and student discounts.

Without charging a small application fee, we would not be able to dedicate any space for independent artists and we would therefore be forced to revert to a gallery-only fair. WCPF provides a critical platform to help artists further their career through our direct support, opportunities and prizes.

We are a small organisation and do not receive any public or charitable funding. Although this is something we hope to look to in the future.