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Highlights: Disability Arts Exhibition 2026
A digital exhibition celebrating young deaf, disabled and neurodiverse artists
Submissions close on Friday 23 January, 4pm
Sunderland Culture is delighted to present an open call for deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent artists aged 16–25 to take part in Highlights: Disability Arts Exhibition 2026.
Highlights celebrates creativity, imagination, and expression. It provides an opportunity for artists to showcase their work and share their perspectives. We want to highlight the diversity of talent and provide an opportunity for young disabled and neurodiverse artists to be seen and celebrated in a supportive environment.
Digital exhibition
All work submitted will be included in our digital exhibition.
Images of your work will be published on our website and social media channels. You will also have the opportunity to see your work on our exhibition screens on the dates below:
Arts Centre Washington
Saturday 7 February – Saturday 14 March
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
Saturday 21 February – Saturday 28 March
This exhibition is not competitive, providing a platform for all artists to showcase their skills.
Exhibition theme
The theme for the exhibition is Challenges, Celebrations and Connections. Artists are invited to interpret this theme in any way that is meaningful to them.
Here’s a few suggestions about how the theme could be interpreted:
- Challenge – physical, health, emotional, social, or accessibility challenges
- Celebrations – achievements, resilience, overcoming barriers, celebrating personal or community strengths
- Connections – to family, to friends, the planet, nature, to other times, places, hobbies, interests
Submissions are now closed.
We invite deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent young people (aged 16-25) who live, study or work in Sunderland to apply.
Please submit just one artwork per person.
All visual art forms are welcome, including drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, film, digital art, and mixed media. The work will need to be photographed and submitted to us.
All works must be an original creation by the artist.
Artwork should be age-appropriate and suitable for younger audience members. Avoid explicit language, violence, or mature themes. Steer clear of discriminatory, offensive, or harmful material.
Artists are asked to submit images or digital copies of their work. Please provide clear photographs or digital files.
All works will be exhibited. The exhibition is inclusive and non-competitive, providing equal opportunity to showcase creativity and artistic voice.
Submissions close: Friday 23 January, 4pm
Email confirmation of your submission and outline of next steps: Friday 30 January, 4pm
In-person preview and celebration: To Be Decided (TBD)
Online exhibition: Friday 20 February – To Be Decided (TBD)
During the course of the exhibition you or your artwork may be photographed or recorded on video, with consent. On occasions this material may be used for promotional purposes by Arts Centre Washington or Sunderland Culture.
If you would like a step-by-step walkthrough on how to submit your work, download our Easy Read Guide
If you require support with your application, please contact
Submission guide and resources
Submit Your Work
Fill out the form below to submit your work. This can be completed by the young person themselves, or a nominated adult.
We ask for contact information so that we can invite you to our showcase event. The information provided on this form will only be used for the purposes of this exhibition.
Submissions are now closed.
Highlights: Disability Arts Exhibition 2026 is part of the Autonomy project. The Autonomy project is generously supported by the Association of Independent Museums (AIM) Connected Communities programme, which is funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Know Your Neighbourhood Fund, through Arts Council England.
