The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon is excited to announce the theme Speaking Out: Changing Times for the Documentary Photography Open 2024. Held during February and April 2024 in our temporary exhibition gallery. The Open is free to enter with a public prize of £300 for the most voted-for image.

This year’s theme, Speaking Out: Changing Times asks entrants to comment on the recent political, social and environmental events that are affecting North Devon. Whether you’re documenting the strength shown in communities, the changes affecting our towns, villages and countryside or local protests about national or worldwide interests – entrants can focus on whatever this theme means to them.

The exhibition provides a platform for everyone with an interest in photography from camera phone enthusiasts to established contemporary photographers.  The museum hopes to inspire photographers, offer valuable exposure and help keep the tradition of photography alive in North Devon.

The exhibition also features works from Gideon Mendel’s ‘When I’m 40’, showing a selection of photographs of young Devonians as they explore the likely impact of climate change on the landscape they love.