Important Visitor Notice

National Glass Centre is closed on Sundays. Read the full statement from University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland Statement

Skip to main content

The Graduates Exhibition Call-Out

About the exhibition

The Graduates will be the final exhibition presented at National Glass Centre before the building closes at the end of July 2026. The show will be a celebration of achievement, showcasing the artists who have studied at National Glass Centre and developed careers working with glass and ceramics.

Anyone who has graduated from the University of Sunderland’s BA(Hons), MA or PhD programmes at National Glass Centre from 1998 onwards can apply to show work in The Graduates. Applications must be made by completing the form and submitting it along with up to five images of the object you would like to show, and a copy of your CV.

Please fill out the form below and your application will be considered for inclusion.

Deadline for applications is Sunday 14 September 2025.

The selection panel

All applications will be considered for inclusion in the exhibition by a selection panel. The members of the panel are:

Reino Liefkes

Senior Curator Ceramics and Glass
Decorative Art & Sculpture Department
Victoria & Albert Museum

Helen Ritchie

Senior Curator of Modern & Contemporary
Applied Arts
Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge

Julia Stephenson

Head of Arts
National Glass Centre

Important Information

Please consider the following information before you submit your application.

Application guidance

We advise that applicants submit one artwork for the consideration of the selection panel. We do accept that one artwork may consist of a number of parts in some cases.

There is no size restriction, but it may be difficult to include very large works if, for example, they are difficult to transport, or if the work takes us so much space in the gallery it prevents the inclusion of a number of other artists.

In certain circumstances we will include photographs of artwork in the exhibition.  Examples include public art, site specific installations and stained glass included with the structure of a building.

You can submit artwork that has been created at any point from your graduation to date.

Submitted artwork must not present a danger to the building, staff or visitors.

Display

National Glass Centre primarily exhibits work on open display.

We have a limited number of barriers to create a secure space around certain artworks and a limited number of plinth covers to protect smaller works. 

The gallery space is staffed while open.

It is anticipated that the exhibition will be displayed in the National Glass Centre Gallery and along the length of the balcony running from reception to the Pod.

Transport of work

Wherever possible, we will aim to support the cost of artwork transported within the UK. We have a fixed budget for this and will only be able to confirm support for transport costs once we have completed the selection process.

While we are keen to receive work from outside of the UK, we are unable to cover international shipping and import and export charges.  Unfortunately, this decision has had to be made due to budget limitations.

Sale of work

We are unable to sell work through the exhibition. However, we can include a website address on the object label and advise visitors to contact artists direct to discuss potential sales.

National Glass Centre will not add commission for any sales.

Insurance

If National Glass Centre arranges shipping, the artwork will be insured from the point of collection and until it is returned to the artist.

If the artist arranges shipping the artwork will be insured from arrival at National Glass Centre and until it leaves the building.

Retail

If your application is successful, we may be able to display additional examples of your work in National Glass Centre’s shop.

Use of images

Artists making a successful application will agree to allow National Glass Centre to use images of artwork for non-commercial use to promote the exhibition.

We recommend sending images with a minimum size of 300dpi

Key dates

Application deadline: Sunday 14 September, 11.59pm

Applicants will be notified of the selection panel’s decision during the week beginning 6th October 2025.

We may not be able to provide individual feedback to applicants. However, we will aim to do so depending on the number of applications received.

Work must be received by 5pm on Friday 19 December 2025.

Artworks will be held in National Glass Centre’s secure store and unpacked during the week beginning 5 January 2026.

The early arrival date has been set to avoid potential problems occurring over the busy Christmas period.

The exhibition will be installed from 12 – 30 January 2026.

Artists are not required for the installation period unless there is are specific installation requirements which mean that attendance is necessary.

The Graduates will open to the public on Saturday 31 January 2026 and will run until Friday 31 July 2026.

Artworks will be returned as soon as possible after the exhibition closes.

Celebration event

A celebration event will be held.

It is yet to be decided whether the focus will be an exhibition preview or a closing event.

Application form

The Graduates
National Glass Centre: 31 January – 31 July 2026

About the Exhibition:
The Graduates will be the final exhibition presented at National Glass Centre before the building closes at the end of July 2026.
The show will be a celebration of achievement, showcasing the artists who have studied at National Glass Centre and developed careers working with glass and ceramics.
Participant Name(Required)
Postal Address(Required)
Max. file size: 10 MB.
Drop files here or
Max. file size: 10 MB.
    The deadline for receipt of applications is Sunday 14th September 2025.
    We reserve the right not to accept applications after midnight on the 14th.

    Inclusion in the Exhibition
    Anyone who has graduated from the University of Sunderland’s BA(Hons), MA or PhD programmes at National Glass Centre from 1998 onwards can apply to show work in The Graduates. Applications must be made by submission of a completed application form, along with up to five images of the object you would like to show, and a copy of your CV.

    The Selection Panel
    All applications will be considered for inclusion in the exhibition by a selection panel. The members of the panel are:

      Reino Liefkes: Senior Curator Ceramics and Glass, Decorative Art & Sculpture Department, Victoria & Albert Museum
      Helen Ritchie: Senior Curator of Modern & Contemporary, Applied Arts, Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge
      Julia Stephenson: Head of Arts, National Glass Centre

    Guidance on Submitting Work
    We advise that applicants submit one artwork for the consideration of the selection panel.
    We do accept that one artwork may consist of a number of parts in some cases.

    There is no size restriction, but it may be difficult to include very large works if, for example, they are difficult to transport, or if the work takes us so much space in the gallery it prevents the inclusion of a number of other artists.
    In certain circumstances we will include photographs of artwork in the exhibition. Examples include public art, site specific installations and stained glass included with the structure of a building.

    You can submit artwork that has been created at any point from your graduation to date.
    Submitted artwork must not present a danger to the building, staff or visitors.


    Display
    National Glass Centre primarily exhibits work on open display. We have a limited number of barriers to create a secure space around certain artworks and a limited number of plinth covers to protect smaller works. The gallery space is staffed while open. It is anticipated that the exhibition will be displayed in the National Glass Centre Gallery and along the length of the balcony running from reception to the Pod.


    Transport of Work
    Wherever possible, we will aim to support the cost of artwork transported within the UK. We have a fixed budget for this and will only be able to confirm support for transport costs once we have completed the selection process.

    While we are keen to receive work from outside of the UK, we are unable to cover international shipping and import and export charges. Unfortunately, this decision has had to be made due to budget limitations.


    Sale of Work
    We are unable to sell work through the exhibition; however, we can include a website address on the object label and advise visitors to contact artists direct to discuss potential sales. National Glass Centre will not add commission for any sales.


    Insurance
    If National Glass Centre arranges shipping, the artwork will be insured from the point of collection and until it is returned to the artist.
    If the artist arranges shipping the artwork will be insured from arrival at National Glass Centre and until it leaves the building.


    Retail
    If your application is successful, we may be able to display additional examples of your work in National Glass Centre’s shop.


    Use of Images
    Artists making a successful application will agree to allow National Glass Centre to use images of artwork for non-commercial use to promote the exhibition.

    We recommend sending images with a minimum size of 300dpi

    Key Dates
      The deadline for receipt of applications is Sunday 14th September 2025. We reserve the right not to accept applications after midnight on the 14th.
      Applicants will be notified of the selection panel’s decision during the week beginning 6th October 2025.
      We may not be able to provide individual feedback to applicants; however, we will aim to do so depending on the number of applications received.
      Work must be received by 5pm on Friday 19th December 2025
      Artworks will be held in National Glass Centre’s secure store and unpacked during the week beginning 5th January 2026.
      The early arrival date has been set to avoid potential problems occurring over the busy Christmas period.
      The exhibition will be installed from 12th – 30th January 2026.
      Artists are not required for the installation period unless there is are specific installation requirements which mean that attendance is necessary.
      The Graduates will open to the public on Saturday 31st January 2026 and will run until Friday 31st July 2026.
      Artworks will be returned as soon as possible after the exhibition closes.


    Celebration Event
    A celebration event will be held. It is yet to be decided whether the focus will be an exhibition preview or a closing event.

    Please confirm your consent for us to store your answers on this form(Required)
    For more information, please read our Privacy Policy
    This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.