Deadline: 31-Aug-21
UK New Artists (UKNA) is inviting artists to apply for the New Artist of the Year Award 2021.
From a free open call across the UK they are seeking to discover 10 outstanding artists whose work demonstrates a strong and original voice, and is of exceptional artistic quality. They are looking for artists who represent the UK’s richly diverse population, and embody the experiences of their community.
Artists who create bold, unique pieces of art that reveal their own perspectives and experiences and who represent unique viewpoints and will help start new conversations in the UK art scene.
Themes
- In 2019 the award posed the question, What is Contemporary Britain and presented 10 exceptional artists from over 500 submissions. Finalists provided them with a selection of visual art work exploring the diasporic image, heritage and hybridity, to the everyday and domestic through their own uniquely personal and at times sensationalised existence.
- In 2021 they are interested to understand Where do they go from here Is there to be a ‘new normal’.
Award Information
The 10 shortlisted artists’ work will be exhibited at the Saatchi Gallery in London for a VIP awards evening, curated by Garth Gratrix, as well as in a virtual gallery space, online for one month following the award.
- First Award:
- £10,000 cash prize;
- The winner’s work will be shown at the Robert Walters Group head office for a period of 12 months following the award.
- Second Award:
- £5,000 cash prize;
- People’s Choice Award:
- Decided by a public vote during the virtual exhibition 5th November – 10th December and announced on Monday 13th December;
- The winner will have the opportunity to take part in one of UK New Artists’ international presentations.
Financial Support
Robert Walters Group will provide a stipend of £200 for each of the ten shortlisted artists to attend the awards evening in London on Thursday 4th November, and will cover all shipping costs for works to be delivered to and from the Saatchi Gallery.The partners will also be producing an exhibition booklet and there will be extensive promotional activity of the shortlisted artists.
Eligibility Criteria
- To be eligible for the award, you must be aged 18 or over, and within the first 10 years of your professional practice, and have the right to live, work or study in the UK. Upon application, they will ask you to define the start of your professional practice using one of the following:
- the date that you registered as a self-employed artist;
- the first public exhibition or performance you presented;
- your first paid commission;
- The year you completed your education or training;
- You are yet to do any of these things, and self-define the start of your professional practice.
- If shortlisted, you must be available to be in Central London on Thursday 4 November 2021. Artists should be working withinthe following fields:
- Applied arts: ceramics, glass, textiles, jewellery;
- Digital Arts: moving image, performance video, technological arts;
- Fine Arts: painting, printmaking, drawing, photography, installation, sculpture.
For more information, visit https://uknewartists.co.uk/rw-award-2021