Community arts exhibitions give local artists a platform, bring original artwork to people who might never visit a commercial gallery, and add cultural richness to an area. You do not need a gallery space or an art degree to organise one. What you need is a suitable venue, willing artists, and a bit of planning.
Finding a venue
Think beyond traditional gallery spaces. Community arts exhibitions thrive in unexpected locations:
- Village halls and community centres -- Affordable, accessible, and often available for weekend hire at £50 to £150 per day
- Church halls and places of worship -- Often have good wall space and natural light
- Empty retail units -- Landlords sometimes allow temporary use of vacant shops. This brings life to empty high streets and gives artists a high-footfall location
- Cafes and restaurants -- A rolling exhibition on cafe walls costs nothing to maintain and gives artists ongoing exposure
- Libraries -- Many libraries actively welcome community exhibitions and provide the space for free
- Outdoor spaces -- Sculpture trails, park installations, and outdoor displays work well in summer
Whichever venue you choose, assess the wall space, lighting, and hanging systems. Many community venues have hard walls that cannot be drilled, so you may need freestanding display boards or picture hanging systems that attach to existing rails. Lighting makes a significant difference to how artwork looks. If the venue has poor lighting, budget for a few portable LED spotlights (available from about £15 each).
Recruiting artists
Put out an open call for submissions. Post on local Facebook groups, community noticeboards, art society websites, and in local newspapers. Contact art groups, painting classes, college art departments, and community education programmes. Be clear about what you are looking for: medium, size restrictions, theme (if any), and submission deadline.
Decide whether the exhibition is open to all or curated. An open exhibition where anyone can submit up to three pieces is the most inclusive approach and works well for a community event. If you want a curated show, establish a small selection panel and set clear criteria.
For a first exhibition, aim for 20 to 40 pieces from 10 to 20 artists. This fills a medium-sized venue without overwhelming it. Ask each artist to provide a title, medium, dimensions, price (if for sale), and a short artist statement.
Practical matters: hanging and display
Hanging an exhibition is more involved than putting nails in walls. Plan the layout before the hanging day. Group works by artist, theme, or medium, and consider how pieces relate to each other visually. Larger works need more surrounding space. Small works can be grouped together.
The standard hanging height places the centre of each artwork at approximately 150cm from the floor (average eye level). For a mixed exhibition with varying sizes, maintain a consistent centre line. Use a spirit level and measuring tape, and mark positions with low-tack tape before making any fixings.
Every piece needs a label: artist name, title, medium, dimensions, and price (if for sale). Print labels in a consistent format and position them to the lower right of each piece. A simple laser-printed label on white card looks professional and costs almost nothing.
Insurance and artwork care
Clarify who is responsible for insuring the artwork. In most community exhibitions, artists are responsible for their own insurance, and you should state this clearly in your terms of entry. If you want to provide cover, event-specific fine art insurance is available but adds to your costs.
Take a condition report for each piece when it arrives: note any existing damage, frame condition, and how it is wired for hanging. Return each piece in the same condition. Have a secure storage area for any work waiting to be hung or collected.
The private view
A private view (opening night) is the social highlight of any exhibition. It generates buzz, attracts press coverage, and gives artists a moment in the spotlight. It is also when most sales happen, if work is for sale.
Hold the private view on the evening before the exhibition opens to the public, or on the first evening. Provide drinks (wine, soft drinks, and perhaps some nibbles) and create a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Invite local press, councillors, community leaders, and anyone who might champion the event.
A short speech from the organiser and perhaps one of the exhibiting artists adds a personal touch. Keep speeches to five minutes maximum. People are there to look at art and talk, not to listen to lectures.
For ticketed private views, use a free ticketing platform to manage RSVPs. This helps you plan catering quantities and manage capacity. Our guide on planning your first event has more on managing ticketed events.
Selling artwork
If artwork is for sale, agree commission arrangements with artists in advance. A 20% to 30% commission to the exhibition organisers is standard for community shows. This helps cover costs and fund future exhibitions. Be transparent about commission rates from the outset.
Display prices clearly on labels or in a printed price list. Have a system for handling sales: red dots on labels to indicate sold works, a sales record book, and a clear process for payment and collection. Buyers should pay at the time of purchase, and works are usually collected after the exhibition closes.
Accept card payments. A portable card reader (Square or SumUp) costs under £20 and ensures you do not miss sales from people who do not carry cash.
Promotion
Create a simple poster and distribute it widely: libraries, cafes, shops, community noticeboards, and online. Feature one strong image from the exhibition (with the artist's permission) to catch attention. Share individual artist profiles on social media in the weeks leading up to the exhibition.
Submit press releases to local newspapers, arts magazines, and What's On listings. Local press often covers community arts stories, especially if there is a human interest angle (a first-time exhibitor, an unusual venue, or a connection to a local cause).
Ask every exhibiting artist to promote the exhibition to their own networks. Word of mouth from artists and their supporters is one of the most effective channels. For more promotion ideas, see our guide on promoting your event on a budget.
Funding
Community arts exhibitions can be funded through entry fees from artists (typically £10 to £20 per piece submitted), sales commission, small grants, and sponsorship. Arts Council England offers project grants for community arts activities, and many local councils have small grants programmes for cultural events. Check whether your parish or town council has a community grants budget.
Keep costs low for your first exhibition. The main expenses are venue hire, printing, and refreshments for the private view. A well-organised exhibition in a free venue can cost as little as £50 to £100 to put on.
After the exhibition
Return all unsold artwork promptly and in good condition. Send artists a statement of any sales made, less commission. Publish attendance figures and sales totals if appropriate. Thank everyone involved publicly.
Gather feedback from artists and visitors. This will help you improve future exhibitions and demonstrate demand to potential funders and venues. A short online survey works well. Keep your artist mailing list active and start planning the next one while enthusiasm is high. For follow-up best practices, see our post-event follow-up guide.
