Deadline for submissions: 23 August 2026 

Artists with lived experience of migration are being invited to contribute to our new exhibition exploring the realities of the UK's immigration system. 

The exhibition, Taking Liberties: Detention, Reporting, Resistance, is scheduled to open in London later this year, and we are launching an open call for artwork from people with lived experience of migration.  

About the exhibition 

The exhibition aims to challenge narratives and policies that dehumanise, isolate and criminalise people because of their immigration status. Centring the leadership, creativity and experiences of people directly affected, it explores the human impact of the immigration detention and reporting and our resistance. 

The project is led by a steering group of people with experience of the hostile environment and is facilitated by Bail for Immigration Detainees and Migrants Organise. 

More than a space for learning, the exhibition creates opportunities to grow networks, amplify resistance and build our movement to end immigration detention and reporting. 

Who can submit: 

We are looking for submissions from people who are 18 or older, based in the UK, with lived experience of migration, however this may look for you. It is not a requirement to share your experiences although we will ask if it aids in contextualising your work and your submissions. You do not need to be a professional artist to submit works. 

Please see the submission form for more details on the criteria. 

Artist fees 

Three selected works will be included in the exhibition. We are offering the following fees per artwork: 

  • £500 
  • £250 
  • £250 

Selected artists will also be invited to attend the exhibition opening event, with reasonable travel costs covered.

The Selection criteria: 

Entries will be judged by the exhibition steering group and curator on the following criteria. 

Connection to the goals of the Detention, Reporting, Resistance exhibition: 

  • Challenge perceptions by humanising those impacted by detention 
  • Educate and inform on how the system works and its effects 
  • Platform resistance by highlighting organising by affected people and allies 
  • Inspire engagement and dialogue on justice and solidarity 
  • Impactful storytelling behind artwork 
  • Fills the gap of what is missing in our show. For example we have are missing a lot of textured work such as soft sculpture. However we have a lot of photography. 

Key Dates 

  • Submission deadline: 23 August 2026 
  • Artist notifications: Week commencing 24 August 2026 
  • Contract acceptance deadline: 4 September 2026 
  • Artwork delivery deadline: 11 September 2026 

For further information about the open call check the submission form or contact [email protected]. 

Read more and submit