Open Call: Voyager 2000: Worldbeing & Wonder

31st January 2025

As part of our summer exhibition Voyager 2000: Worldbeing & Wonder, we are inviting artists to submit their artwork to be considered to be shown in the group exhibition.

Voyager 2000 is a group show reflecting on The BT Voyager 2000, an early interactive TV system which was first trialled in Colchester back in 1995, which supported education, communication, learning, and playing games.

Art too has played a central role in the growth of social networks, through exploring imagination, communication, and recording locations of food. From the figurative depictions of wild animals found this year on the Indonesian Island, Sulawesi, all the way through to today’s video games.

Taking inspiration from developments in Essex such as radio to the first video game, ‘Voyager 2000: Worldbeing & Wonder’ will explore how – historically and in pop culture – artists and communities have used machines, technology, networks, and virtual worlds for imagination and connection, including the problems with them.

Artworks of Interest:

We are interested in artworks that explore technology, history of technology, social media, internet, online culture, identity online, avatars, communication, video games, toys, community, human connection

We are excited to celebrate what different people see as art, and the stories that they may tell, or what values we place on objects

An audio recording of the application instructions will be provided shortly.

Open Call Criteria:

• Artworks can be in any materials including drawing, sculpture, painting, video, photography, mixed media, digital, sound, objects, installations, diagrams
• Artists can submit up to 5 examples of works
• Artworks need to be available between 1 Jul and 16 Nov 2025
• Submissions are for artworks that have already been made, or in their final stages to be completed
• Applicants must be based in the UK, but we will consider our environmental impact when deciding
• Applicants can be any age, but you must have parental or caregiver’s permission to submit if under 16
• Priority will be made to artists who have not shown work before at Firstsite, and/or those who have links to East Anglia

• Artists will be paid a minimum fee of £350 in line with artist union day rates and being part of a large group show

• Submissions should be made using the Voyager 2000 form. Download a submission form by clicking the button below.

• You can also submit via picture or flow diagrams, a 5 minute (or less) raw video or audio files answering the questions in the form.

• Applications must be sent via email to [email protected]

The closing date for submissions is Sun 2 Mar 2025, 5pm. Due to anticipated high interest, we may need to close submissions early. To ensure your work is considered, we recommend submitting as soon as possible. Submissions received after the closing date will not be considered.

Should you require any further information or guidance on completing a submission form please email [email protected]

Download Application Guidance Form    Download Application Submission Form

Please note that due to the high number and calibre of applications we receive, applicants will be informed on the decision of their submission by the beginning of Apr 2025.