Manchester Open 2022 Awards: Shortlisted artists announced
Thu 20 Jan 2022
On the eve of the Manchester Open Artist Launch Weekend (Fri 21 – Sun 23 Jan), we’re excited to announce the finalists for the Manchester Open Awards 2022.
All five winners will receive a tailored artist development package managed by Castlefield Gallery and HOME to help guide and invest in their practice. In total, over £10,000 of prize funding will be distributed to local creative talent, with one artist receiving a solo exhibition at HOME in our Granada Foundation Galleries. The final award, The People’s Choice Award will be voted by the public.
It’s an honour to have been asked to be part of the Manchester Open judging panel again. Submissions for the 2022 exhibition evidence the wealth of artistic and creative talent in the city and city region. The finalists shortlisted for the Manchester Open Awards this year further demonstrate a high level of creative skills and artistic promise. We are looking forward to working with the 2022 winners after they are announced later in the year! – Helen Wewiora, Director and Artistic Director, Castlefield Gallery
The nominated artists have been broken down into five sub-categories to judge the final shortlist on, based on the strength of differing styles of work submitted during the entry process.
These awards are as follows:
• Granada Foundation Gallery Exhibition
• Castlefield Gallery: Artist Professional Development Award 1
• Castlefield Gallery: Artist Professional Development Award 2
• Castlefield Gallery: Artist Professional Development Award: Aged 50+
• People’s Choice Award
This year’s awards have been designed and constructed by Manchester Open 2020 People’s Choice Award winner George Fell. The award statues are small architectural geometric forms inspired by the aesthetics of the HOME building.
The following 20 artists are shortlisted for one of four Manchester Open Awards. The criteria were decided by our selection panel, following over 2,000 submissions. A further award – the People’s Prize – is chosen by visitors to the exhibition.
Special thanks to the Manchester Open Panel: Bren O’Callaghan, Anne-Louise Kershaw, Short Supply, Jessica El Mal, Venessa Scott, Kate Vokes and Helen Weiwora.