background and context

​

BASE is excited to announce the opening of a new artist-led space in the city of Lincoln. Co-founded by Oliver Ventress and Madara Vimba, BASE is a contemporary exhibition / project space and artist studios, built to support and connect artists locally, regionally and nationally. 

 

BASE will open its doors in two phases: 

 

 - Launch Exhibition - A group exhibition celebrating local talent and the ‘soft opening’ of the space. 

​

 - Studio Open Call - Following the completion of the second floor refurb, BASE will open a call out for artists looking for studio tenancies. 

​

​​​

the launch exhibition

​

BASE is inviting artists based in Lincoln, and/or with a connection to Lincoln* to submit artworks for the Launch Exhibition and celebration, which will take place on Friday 10 July 2026. Location of the building to follow. 

 

The Launch Exhibition will be the first ever group exhibition hosted by BASE in the city of Lincoln. This exhibition will celebrate the contemporary practice of artists and the incredible talent on our doorstep. The exhibition also marks the beginning of BASE; a new platform for exhibiting contemporary art in Lincoln - one which is inclusive, experimental and supportive. 

 

*Connection to Lincoln could mean having lived, worked or studied in Lincoln.

​

​

the public vote: artist residency and solo exhibition

​

As part of this open call, participating artists will be invited to opt-in to be considered for BASE’s first self-directed artist residency and solo exhibition, taking place in September - October 2026. 

 

During the Launch Evening and throughout the run of this exhibition, visitors will be invited to anonymously vote for their favourite artwork on display. The artist with the most votes will be announced during an event at BASE in August (date tbc). 

 

The artist with the most votes will receive: 

 

 - A month long residency with 24/7 access to the downstairs space

​

 - A public solo exhibition, hosted and managed by BASE

 

 - Creative sounding board and peer-to-peer support from Oliver and Madara for bouncing ideas, work-in-progress crits, and development if required by the artist

​

 - Technical and practical support from Oliver Ventress with exhibition layout planning, lighting, AV and physically installing the show

​

 - Dedicated marketing and promotional support from Madara Vimba for physical media such as exhibition text, online and digital outreach such as PR and promotion through BASE’s channels

​​

​

​​

theme: how do artists remain artists?

​

BASE is co-founded by two artists, Oliver Ventress and Madara Vimba, who both work full-time alongside their creative practices, often developing ideas in the evenings and weekends. This is the reality of MANY artists, navigating precarity, juggling day jobs, and managing multiple roles while trying to sustain a creative practice. 

 

Rather than asking for a literal response to a theme, BASE is treating this open call as a conversation about these realities. 

 

Artists are invited to submit work made under these real-life conditions. It feels urgent to talk openly about the actual realities of being an artist today. This exhibition is a space to celebrate the work that gets made anyway. 

​

​​

​

who can apply

 

 - This Call for Entries is open to all artists living in Lincoln and/or with a connection to Lincoln 

​

 - Open to artists working in any medium: painting, sculpture, video, sound, textiles, performance, photography are all welcomed 

​

 - Artists are invited to submit up to three works that best represent their current practice, in any medium, along with a short written statement about their works (please note that this does not mean that all three pieces will be selected, but provides an opportunity for BASE to select works that consider the curation of a cohesive show) 

 

​

​

how to apply

 

To apply, complete an online form which can be accessed here

​

The online form is open from Friday 15 May to Monday 15 June (midnight). The online form will automatically close after the deadline. Unfortunately we will not be able to accept submissions after the deadline due to the quick turnaround of submissions and exhibition install. 

 

If selected, we will work with you to agree on the final work for the exhibition. Artists will be expected to deliver the artwork during Wednesday 24 - Tuesday 30 June ready for exhibition install beginning on Wednesday 1 July. 

 

Each artist may submit only one application. Duos or collectives may submit one joint application.

 

For any questions not answered on our website, please email us at info@baseinlincoln.co.uk.

​

​​

​

key dates