Artists across Staffordshire, Cheshire and Shropshire are invited to apply for the Three Counties Open Art Exhibition – a free annual exhibition and pathway to the ACAVA Residency Prize at Spode Works Studios.
Open to artists aged 16 and over, the exhibition welcomes work across painting, sculpture, photography, installation, performance and more. There is no set theme, and applicants can submit one artwork created within the last two years.
ACAVA residency prize
One artist will be selected from the exhibition applicants for the ACAVA Hosts: Three Counties Open Residency – a funded development opportunity based at Spode Works Studios.
- A dedicated studio within ACAVA’s artist community
- Time and support to develop new or ongoing work
- A one-week public engagement outcome
There is no separate application process. Artists simply opt in when submitting to the exhibition.
About Spode Works Studios
Spode Works Studios is part of a historic ceramics factory, now home to 43 artist studios, an exhibition space and a growing creative community. The site supports a wide range of practices and provides a supportive environment for artists to develop their work and connect with others.
Previous residency artists
Recent residency artists include Jon Paul Green (2025), April Star Davis, Jan Agha and Qianhui Yu (2024). Since 2022, the programme has supported emerging artists at different stages of their careers to develop new work and expand their practice.
Key dates
- Submissions open: Monday 14 April, 9am
- Deadline: Monday 26 May, 11.59pm
- Notifications: Late June / early July
- Exhibition: August (Stoke-on-Trent)
How to apply
Applications are free and completed online via the exhibition submission form. Support is available for artists who need assistance with the digital process or accessibility requirements.
The Three Counties Open offers a platform to share work, reach new audiences and access meaningful development opportunities through the ACAVA Residency Prize.
To learn more about submission requirements and accessibility support, visit the official submission page or contact open.art@keele.ac.uk.
