The prize originated as a concept by Chamber staff who have academic and practical experience within the arts sector. Our ambition is to create a prize which has regional relevance, as well as national and international significance.
In providing this prize, we hope to help support and retain artists within Greater Manchester. As the UK’s largest Chamber of Commerce, the prize will connect artists with businesses, encouraging creative partnerships.
By presenting this prize at our Annual Dinner, which has been running for over 50 years and attended by over 800 representatives from the business community, we want to provide maximum exposure for the artists.
We want to build a legacy, a prize which contemporary artists can be proud to say they have won.
1 Overall Winner to be awarded: £1500 Cash Prize
Supported by Fred Aldous with £150 of vouchers and paper products from G.F.Smith.
A Greater Manchester Contemporary Artist Prize 2020 Award Winner’s artwork displayed in our Exhibition at the Old Courts in WiGan
3 Runners Up to be awarded: £750 cash prize each
Supported by Fred Aldous with £50 of vouchers and paper products from G.F.Smith.
A Greater Manchester Contemporary Artist Prize 2020 Award Winner’s artwork displayed in our Exhibition at the Old Courts in Wigan
Fred Aldous’ story began in Manchester in 1886 with a man called Fred. Fred had been working in a cotton mill, like many people in the city at the time, when he noticed that the cotton was being trundled around in baskets. This gave him the idea for a business, to start importing the cane for the baskets from abroad. Fred Aldous Ltd was born out of that idea.
Based in the Northern Quarter, Manchester, Fred Aldous support people who have the urge to pick up a pencil, brush or needle and want to create. That’s why they are constantly developing fresh ideas and coming up with new schemes and that’s why Fred Aldous can provide the right tool or material for whatever project you might be working on.
Website: www.fredaldous.co.uk
In 1885 George founded G . F Smith & Son as a paper merchant. It was his vision and ambition that steered the company through challenging times; his belief in the business saw him expand its horizons. These ambitions include the continued development and global expansion of business adding new chapters to what already stands as a great British success story.
With a distinct identity and a concerted marketing and sales push, the company is seeing growth in exports to new markets including Australia, China, Germany and America. G . F Smith offers paper products, special makes and highly bespoke services tailored specifically to the needs of the creative industries. The specialist team works to a level of craft and customisation and degrees of flexibility that are almost impossible to replicate.
Website: www.gfsmith.com
Shortlisted artists, the runners up and the overall winner will be invited to display their artwork in ‘The Greater Manchester Contemporary Arts Prize Exhibition 2020.’ The exhibition will run from Thursday 4th June 2020 and Friday 3rd July 2020, supported by a high profile opening, with attendees from the Greater Manchester business and arts community.
The exhibition will be supported by a handout, detailing the artist’s work, along with an opportunity for artists to sell/promote their work.
The Greater Manchester Contemporary Arts Prize 2020 will be awarded to semi-professional or professional contemporary artists.
Entries will be judged on a range of criteria and not necessarily on the tastes of individual judges. Our main aim is to find contemporary artists who show significant ability, captivating subject matter and emotive messaging
Our Judging Panel reflects an array of knowledge and specialisms, so as a collective will effectively identify the best entries. Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce’s aim in running the prize is to find and build the careers of contemporary artists, encouraging commerce and business connectivity through the sale of artist’s work.
Ghislaine Howard is a painter whose works chart and interpret shared human experience.
Ghislaine Howard is a painter whose works chart and interpret shared human experience. Named as a ‘Woman of the Year’ in 2008 for her contribution to art and society, she has exhibited in many prestigious venues including Manchester Art Gallery, The Whitworth, Imperial War Museum North, Canterbury Cathedral and the British Museum. A monograph relating to her life and work, ‘The Human Touch’ written by her husband, the art historian Michael Howard was published by Manchester Metropolitan University in 2017.
Ghislaine is delighted that the GMCC have asked her to curate a selection of her works throughout the impressive spaces of Elliot House.
Julian is curator of the Weavers Factory gallery. He is an urban landscape artist and ex-Art Director of the Daily Telegraph.
Julian is curator of the Weavers Factory gallery. He is an urban landscape artist and ex-Art Director of the Daily Telegraph.
Nigel is manager of the Weavers Factory gallery. He has worked as an art psychotherapist, TV production manager and celebrity booker for EMI and Virgin.
Nigel is manager of the Weavers Factory gallery. He has worked as an art psychotherapist, TV production manager and celebrity booker for EMI and Virgin.
General & Legal Counsel at MAN Energy Solutions, Collector of Northern Art
Louise Durose is General Counsel International Diesel for MAN Energy Solutions which has its global headquarters in Augsburg, Germany. Louise is based at the UK headquarters in Stockport. The MAN Diesel & Turbo Group designs and manufactures large diesel engines and turbo machinery.
Louise is responsible for legal services to the aftersales business worldwide which has annual revenue of €1 billion+ and operates in over 50 countries. Louise is a passionate advocator of the arts and maintains a personal collection of Northern Art.
Competition stages are below:
Key dates are below:
Criteria for Artworks & Artists
Greater Manchester Contemporary Artist Prize
Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Elliot House, 151 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3WD