Do you want to be crowned Best of Manchester? I love that title, what an accolade. To be the king or queen of Manchester, you have to do something worthy in the categories of art, music or fashion. Now, I have already put forward the suggestion that these awards are re-named the Manchester Is Ace Awards, so I’m just waiting to hear if that will go ahead (ahem).
Organised by Urbis, the Best Of Manchester awards launched in 2007 and do a marvellous job in rewarding creativity and innovation in this great city of ours. And there are now just 10 weeks to drum up as many applicants as possible.
Manchester has always been noted for creativity in its people, so it’s important to encourage and develop this as much as we can.
There’s a fine set of judges this year, which includes among others: Peter Saville; Wayne Hemingway; Turner prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller; Tim Marlow (White Cube, London); journalist Miranda Sawyer; Yvette Livesey from In The City and Luke Bainbridge, from Observer Music Monthly and former City Life editor.
The press release says the categories have been left deliberately broad to include as many people as possible.
For example, the art category includes graphic design, photography, installations, illustration and fine art. The winner will get a cheque for £2,000 and the chance to be involved in a major exhibition at Urbis, which is a pretty good way to kickstart a career.
The awards are open for entry until midnight on May 1, 2009, and is open to anyone who lives or works in Greater Manchester. Entry is online, at www.urbis.org.uk/thebestofmanchester.
Also look at the Best of Manchester blog for the latest updates.
But still no writing category!
It was great to meet you the other night, hope to see you again soon,
Emily.
But writing about art, fashion or music would qualify. Just as art about writing would. The first art BoM award (2007 rather than 2008 for a slight correction) went to a musical. That’s the joy of them.
(thanks for the hat-tip, btw)
Thanks for the date correction, Urbis. I’ve changed it now.
Also, thanks for the clarification on writing. I thought the lack of writing category was because you are primarily about the visual arts. But it’s good to know people can write about art, fashion or music.
Carolyn