Open Frequency

Open Frequency was initiated in 2003 by Kay Pallister, a Glasgow-based curator, and developed as an Axis programme. It became a vital research tool for curators, critics, writers, collectors, and students exploring contemporary art practice, attracting a national and international user base.

Each year, a panel of Curatorial Advisors was selected to nominate artists for the programme. The panel included emerging and established artists, curators, and writers with diverse interests in contemporary art. Advisors nominated artists to highlight both emerging talent and new projects by mid-career or established artists.

Artists selected for Open Frequency had their profiles presented regularly throughout the year and moved to the archive for continuous accessibility. Each profile provided a clear and accessible introduction to the artist’s practice, often accompanied by catalogue essays, reviews, or statements from the nominating Curatorial Advisor.

While the panel prioritised nominating artists from England, Scotland, and Wales, they could also nominate UK-based artists working beyond these boundaries. Open Frequency showcased 200 artists between 2004 and 2014, offering a national and international platform for emerging, mid-career, and established artists.