Contest to award rising art talent

GREATER Manchester Chamber of Commerce is once again holding a competition for emerging contemporary artists.

The GM Arts Prize was launched last year, thanks to a grant from Arts Council England and the business community.

Joy Sewart, head of skills development at the chamber, said: "We launched the prize to provide a platform for emerging contemporary artists in Greater Manchester to showcase their work to the business community.

"We feel passionately at the chamber that we should not work in isolation, but work alongside artists from a variety of genres that can not only enrich our businesses, but also provide opportunities for artists to be recognised on a national and international scale."

Last year, the chamber received 220 entries for the inaugural prize. The winner was Manchester-based photographer, digital artist and film maker Andrew Brooks. Work by him and the runners-up was displayed at the chamber's offices in Manchester city centre.

This year's prize is open to practising semi-professional and professional artists working or living in one of the 10 local authorities across Greater Manchester. The winner and three runners-up will get an award at the chamber's Annual Business Dinner on May 18 at Victoria Warehouse, Old Trafford.

Artists can submit work online at gmartsprize.co.uk