North East Open Call 2026
It’s that time of year again, and we’re excited to launch the North East Open Call back out into the world. Each year, the project grows through the support and generosity of artists and organisations who help shape the selection process, and we’re grateful to once again be working alongside an incredible group of collaborators.
We’re delighted to welcome back David Hoyland and Garth Gratrix, whose continued involvement brings valuable experience and insight to the programme. This year, we’re also thrilled to be joined by Harriett Sutcliffe from Newcastle Contemporary Art and Olivia Mason from Future Artists Fund, expanding the perspectives and conversations that inform the selection.
And of course, special recognition goes to Penny Payne, who has helped shape and deliver the programme, establishing NEOC as a recognised and anticipated event within the North East contemporary arts calendar.
In Penny’s own words ‘The NEOC is an inherent part of MAW - its how we discover new voices. Its how we support risk and how we remain responsive to the art being created in the North East’
From Liam, MAW’s artistic director “NEOC is always a highlight of the MAW programme. We’ve worked hard to listen to artists, to understand what they need and to respond accordingly, and I think we generally get it right. This year. I’m sure, will be another strong edition, and I’m genuinely excited on behalf of the artists putting work forward. With the Turner Prize opening on the same night, this year’s NEOC exhibition will benefit from an extra level of visibility and spotlight.”