open invitation

This is not an ‘open call', it’s an ‘open invitation'. We are keen to see the exhibition transform the gallery from an empty space to a shifting gathering of artworks, ideas and processes.

Now That’s What I Call Art 3 wants to foster collaboration between artists. This is in the understanding that collaboration makes everybody a novice as it requires working within each other’s discipline / practice. As such, collaboration enables us to act with resourcefulness and generosity.

For the first time, Now That’s What I Call Art is coming to Middlesborough. The previous two were held in Newcastle and we are very grateful to The Auxiliary for allowing us the opportunity to spread our wings. Artists are still welcome to take part from across the Northeast and beyond, however we really hope that having it in Middlesborough means that more people will have the opportunity to exhibit their artwork.

Over July we invite artists at all stages to display one artwork or set of artworks. There is no selection process, and we will support up to 72 artists to exhibit their work on a first-come first-serve basis through the Eventbrite page which will go live on Saturday 24th at 10am. The link will be available across our socials so be sure to check back on the 24th.

Please note there is no exhibition fee. Installing your artwork:

For each 90-minute time slot there is space for up to 8 artists to book. You'll arrive in this slot with your work, ready to install, and will need to work together with the other artists on how best to present and curate your work.

Depending on the time slot there may already be other artists’ artwork in the gallery that you will need to curate around. We hope that this will attract people of various experience and skill levels, the idea is that we learn and work together. At least one of us will be on-hand to advise and help, but not to lead – that’s on you!

For more complex or larger artworks which may require a bit more time than what is available in the time slot, you will need to do the installation yourself or bring any help/tools you may need.

Please get in touch if you have any questions: theauxiliaryprojectspace@gmail.com

Collecting your artwork at the end of the exhibition:

We have a number of days for artists to come and collect their work (27th, 28th & 29th of July). If those don’t work for you, we may have some flexibility. However, if you don’t collect during those days/times and don’t let us know, we will do our best to hold onto the work, but we cannot guarantee its safety or hold onto it indefinitely.

If you have any issues around the install, collection of the work, or if you have any other questions, please reach out to Spaghetti Factory and System Gallery over their socials or email theauxiliaryprojectspace@gmail.com