Emerging Artists Programme FAQ’s

Applying

Can I apply for this artist opportunity at the same time as another opportunity you have live?    

Yes!    

Can I apply if I live outside the borough?    

Yes, this opportunity is open to all UK-based artists.    

Can I apply if I live abroad?    

No, unfortunately the project budget would not be able to cover artists who live/work outside of the UK.

What does ’emerging’ mean?    

This opportunity is open to artists who are within the first ten years of their professional practice. You might start counting these ten years from when you started exhibiting work (rather than from a graduation date, for example). We understand that there are many reasons why artists may have a career break, and therefore we consider ten cumulative years of practice rather than ten continuous years of practice.

Can I visit the gallery?    

Yes, but this will need to happen independently. We’re unable to accommodate site visits with a member of the team at this stage of the application. Orleans House Gallery is open Tuesdays-Sundays 10am – 5pm.    

What file-format should media be sent in?    

Please send the application document as a Word document or PDF. We are not able to accept Pages documents.    

For images, audio or video, we accept the following formats: PDF (.pdf); Windows Media formats (.asf, .wma, .wmv, .wm); Audio Visual Interleave (.avi); Moving Pictures Experts Group (.mpg, .mpeg, .m1v, .mp2, .mp3, .mpa, .mpe, .m3u); Musical Instrument Digital Interface (.mid, .midi, .rmi); Audio Interchange File Format (.aif, .aifc, .aiff); Audio for Windows (.wav); QuickTime Movie file (.mov); MP4 Audio file (.m4a); MP4 Video file (.mp4, .m4v, .mp4v, .3g2, .3gp2, .3gp, .3gpp)    

How do I send images/audio/video without exceeding the attachment size limitations?    

We recommend media is compressed before sending. This can be achieved using specific media editing software (e.g. Photoshop, Final Cut etc). Free equivalents such as Audacity audio editor, G.I.M.P image editor and Handbrake video compressor are available to download online with corresponding tutorials available on YouTube to guide you. The optimum file size for images should be roughly 1 Mb. Video and audio will depend on the length of the file. Alternatively, there are several free compression services available online, and work by uploading the files you wish to be compressed and clicking the download link which shortly follows.     

Can I apply via video or audio recording instead of written text?    

Yes! If you prefer, you can submit your proposal in video or audio format, using the same question outline as the application document. Please keep 100-word limit responses to a 1-minute recording, 200-word limit responses to a 2-minute recording, etc.   

What are the gallery’s values that the judging panel will consider?    

The Richmond Arts Service vision has the following values, and we are particularly interested in proposals that interrogate or support this direction. We will select against these values.     

• Collaborative – we work with people in innovative and inspiring ways, we invite artists, communities and individuals to create the public programme with us and help develop the arts service.     

• Socially engaged – we respond to the needs and wishes of local people, widen participation in the arts and connect people from different backgrounds, enabling them to have a say over issues that affect them, and promoting opportunity particularly for underrepresented groups.     

• Experimental – through the arts we test new ideas and approaches and share our learning to support the work of the borough. This might involve being playful, adventurous and taking risks. 

Additionally, the panel will consider the feasibility and the quality of each application.

When do I find out if my proposal has been accepted?    

Applicants will be notified by the first week of May 2026. Accepted applicants will be invited to view the exhibition space with our team to agree to the show in situ. 

The Exhibition    

If I am accepted for an exhibition, what happens next?    

Once a date is confirmed for the exhibition, you will be sent an exhibitions contract and invited to meet with the gallery team to discuss associated logistics in more detail.     

Before install, the Arts Service will require:    

• Images and copy for publicity use    
• Floor plan    
• Press release (to be signed off by the Arts Service before distribution)   
• Interpretation texts (to be signed off by the Arts Service before the artist organises printing) and printed interpretation materials    
• A completed pricelist (with images) if works are for sale. (Template will be sent)    
• A signed Vendor Agency Agreement if works are for sale. (Will be sent)    
• A complete risk assessment and method statement. (Template will be sent and you will be given assistance in completing these documents if needed)    
• Confirmation of opening event    
• Confirmation of volunteer tour    
• Pack for volunteers (Template will be sent)    
• Proof of public liability insurance   (Multiple providers offer coverage for less than £40 a year, such as the a-n The Artists Information Company and Axis membership.)

Can I have an opening celebration event?     

This can be arranged according to the gallery availability. If agreed, all costs (including physical publicity material) would be the responsibility of the exhibitor(s). We recommend that this takes place during gallery opening hours to reduce any costs associated and maximise engagement from the public.    

How much commission does the Orleans House Gallery take on exhibition sales?    

Orleans House Gallery receives a commission on all sales of original art and must also charge VAT on our commission rate. The commission supports our work across Orleans House Gallery programmes.

The commission is calculated by adding 40% on top of what the artist receives rather than as a percentage of the full sale.

Pricing example

£100 = Artist’s share

£40 = Orleans House Gallery’s 40% commission

£8 VAT only on £40 (Orleans House Gallery’s commission)

£148 = Total selling price

If you are VAT registered, kindly let us know as we will need to charge VAT on the entire selling price.

If my work is chosen, will I be able to also sell a print run or postcards in the gallery shop?   

Artists who are chosen for the Emerging Artist programme may be able to sell existing merchandise in the shop during the run of their exhibition, at the discretion of the gallery’s Shop Manager. If you are interested in doing so, you can discuss this with Orleans House Gallery during our initial exhibition meeting. The shop commission structure will be discussed with the artist in advance. 

Can I submit work requiring a power supply?   

Yes, however any items requiring mains power will need to be PAT tested privately (if selected), and a certificate of completion delivered to the gallery when artwork is dropped off.    

Can I sell work with the option to sell framed or unframed?   

Works that are presented in a frame must be sold as such.    

Do you have any tech equipment?

We have limited equipment, including TV monitors and projectors, which may be in use by other exhibitions on our site. Our team will discuss tech availability with successful applicants. We recommend including any tech purchases or rentals in your budget breakdown in case we do not have the equipment you need.

How big is the exhibition space?   

Here is the floorplan of the Stables Gallery. The gallery is an irregular rectangle with the four walls measuring approximately 6.5m, 19m, 3m and 9m of hangable space. There are windows along the same wall as the entrance door, represented by rectangles on the floorplan, and support beams represented by small square outlines on the floorplan.