THE NATIONAL OPEN ART COMPETITION 2009

The National Open Art Competition, Chichester, is open to all artists of any age from around the UK; professional or amateur, willing to submit their contemporary work before a distinguished panel of judges. The artwork must be designed to hang on the wall, and can be a painting (mixed media is accepted), an original print, or a drawing.

The judging panel for 2009 is chaired by Gavin Turk, a key member of the Young British Artist Movement and one of our foremost contemporary artists. He will be assisted by Catherine Lampert, former Director of the Whitechapel Art Gallery in London, James Stewart, director of the Zimmer Stewart contemporary art gallery in Arundel, West Sussex and David Barrie, a director of RK Harrison Insurance Brokers Ltd. Their collective and diverse experience will be put to the test when choosing approximately 140 works for the final exhibition, from the broad spectrum of work submitted.

Despite the economic crisis and thanks to the generosity and commitment of certain sponsors and individuals, we are thrilled to announce that a prize fund of £40,000 has been raised and will be awarded to prize winning artists selected by our distinguished panel, for the National Open Art Competition 2009.

Initiated in 1996, by the current Duke of Richmond, this year will be the 13th National Open Art Competition. The Duke’s vision was to develop Chichester as the “The City of the Arts” and the exhibition was part of this concept. The results are clearly visible today and Chichester is booming with art establishments including; Pallant House Gallery, The Cass Sculpture Foundation, Chichester Cathedral, West Dean College, The University of Chichester and The Oxmarket Gallery, to name but a few.