Solo visual art exhibition
University of Atypical for Arts and Disability invites visual artists to apply for an exciting Green Open Call Opportunity, for a solo exhibition in the Atypical Gallery, Belfast. The Atypical Gallery is the only gallery on this island solely dedicated to the promotion of artists who are d/Deaf, disabled or neurodivergent.
This call is open to visual artists who identify as d/Deaf, disabled, or neurodivergent. The exhibition will take place in the Atypical Gallery from November – December 2026
The artist who is selected will:
- receive a fee of £900.
- present a body of work for a solo exhibition in the Atypical Gallery.
- present a gallery talk (for those for whom a talk is not possible, we can work with you to deliver an audio or visual recording about your work).
Key Dates
Applications open: 12 March 2026
Submission deadline: 30 April 2026 4:00 pm
Open call decision by: 20 May 2026
Exhibition dates: November – December 2026
Theme
We are looking for an artist whose work connects with issues affecting our climate, environment, and creating a sustainable future. We are open to different approaches to this theme. For example, your approach could relate to one or more of the following words:
- Sustainability.
- Eco-ableism.
- Climate change.
- Conservation.
- Climate activism.
- Other interpretations on the theme can be considered.
Eligibility
- You must identify as D/deaf, disabled, or neurodivergent.
- You must be based in Northern Ireland.
- You must be aged 18 or over.
- Undergraduate students are not eligible to apply.
- Artists at any career stage can apply.
Our Decision-Making Process
Your application will be reviewed by a selection panel. The panel will assess your application against the following criteria:
- How your proposal matches the theme of climate change, environment and creating a sustainable future.
- The quality of the proposal.
- The quality of supporting material.
- How you will use the gallery space.
How to Apply
You can apply in two ways:
- You can complete an application form from the University of Atypical for Arts and Disability website.
- You can email your proposal and supporting material to applyto@universityofatypical.org
- If you apply in an email, you must include the following information:
- A short artist biography (100 – 250 words).
- A statement about your art practice which includes what you make and why you make it. (250 – 300 words).
- A description of your proposal which explains how your practice and the work you will exhibit fits with the theme of climate, environment and a sustainable future. The proposal should include how the process of making the work connects to sustainability, rather than simply how the finished exhibition addresses the theme. This may include how you work, where you work and what you work with. (500 words)
- A description of what gallery visitors can expect to see or experience during the proposed exhibition. Please tell us about what you intend to do or make, and how the work will fill the gallery space (500 words). Images of the gallery space are below.
- An Artist CV, OR description of your artistic practice, listing exhibitions and residencies.
- Evidence of artistic practice. You should include a maximum of 10 images.
- A completed monitoring form (you can email us for this form).
- You must self-declare as d/Deaf, disabled, or neurodivergent to be eligible to apply for the open call. University of Atypical for Arts and Disability works from the Social Model of Disability. Please state whether you self declare as d/Deaf, disabled or neurodivergent. If you are successful, you will sign a contract about publicity. While all our exhibiting artists will be referred to as being d/Deaf, disabled or neurodivergent, no further information on the nature of your disability will be disclosed unless directed or agreed by you the artist.
All information must be included with your application form or email. All documents and images must be clearly labelled with your name and document details.
We welcome applications from artists with diverse cultural backgrounds, including global majority artists, and artists who are racially, ethnically or linguistically minoritised in Northern Ireland.
If you need assistance, please contact Zara:
Email: administration@universityofatypical.org
Phone: 028 9023 9450
We accept applications in different formats. Please contact us to discuss access requirements.
