Call for AA2A Artists

Submission deadline: 11 June 2026, 5pm

AA2A and the University of Chester are delighted to announce an open call for AA2A artists to participate in a special exhibition celebrating the 30th anniversary of AA2A.

Taking place at Contemporary Art Space Chester (CASC) from 16 July – 13 August 2026, the exhibition will bring together artists from across the AA2A community, creating a unique opportunity to showcase work alongside fellow practitioners connected through three decades of residencies, creative exchange and collaboration with further and higher education institutions.

The exhibition is led by the University of Chester in partnership with AA2A and forms part of the University’s CASC Gallery programme. It celebrates the impact of AA2A’s mission: connecting professional artists with universities and colleges to foster experimentation, learning, dialogue and artistic development.

Applications are invited from:

• Artists who have completed an AA2A residency at any point during the programme’s 30-year history

• Current AA2A Student Ambassadors, in recognition of their support for artists and the scheme

Artists may submit up to five works for consideration, including:

• Painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, textiles and mixed media

• Sculpture and installation

• Video and audio-visual works

📸 Sophia Rosenthal, AA2A artist in residence 25-26 at New City College

The exhibition will be hosted at CASC – Contemporary Art Space Chester, based at the University of Chester’s Creative Campus Kingsway. CASC has established a strong reputation for presenting contemporary art, supporting emerging and established practitioners and contributing to the cultural life of Chester through an ambitious exhibition programme spanning more than 15 years.

• Submission deadline: 11 June 2026, 5pm

• Notification of selection: 18 June 2026

• Artwork delivery: 19 June – 3 July 2026

• Private View: 16 July 2026, 5–8pm

• Exhibition dates: 16 July – 13 August 2026

• Deinstallation: 14 August 2026

• Final collection deadline: 1 September 2026

Applications should be submitted via the AA2A exhibition submission form, which includes full submission and participation details:

https://aa2a.org/exhibition-submission-form/

We look forward to celebrating 30 years of AA2A with an exhibition that reflects the breadth, diversity and creativity of the artists who have shaped the programme. If AA2A has been part of your journey, we would love to see your work.