Organised by Urbis, led by Peter Saville and judged by a panel of industry experts, the Best of Manchester competition spotlights the work of Manchester's creative professionals. There is no age limit, no hype and no rules: just the best creative thinking by the best creative professionals working in Manchester today, say the organisers.
Anyone working within the fields of music, art (including graphic design) and fashion - who lives or works in Manchester - can enter the competition. The prize? The chance to have work judged by both national and regional industry leaders, long-term professional development, a one-off cash prize and an exhibition at Urbis.
Last year's Best of Manchester - which received over 150 entries - celebrated the kind of cutting-edge creativity for which Manchester has long been renowned, from a musical based on the life of abstract expressionist artist Jackson Pollock to Art Deco-inspired commercial design. The three categories - music, visual art and design - are deliberately broad, designed to encourage entries that blur boundaries, mix disciplines and are genuinely innovative.
"There are plenty of competitions out there for young people," confirmed Urbis chief executive, Vaughan Allen. "But there's very little for those who've spent years grafting at the coalface of the creative industries. It's easy to champion young people, and easier still to celebrate it when they make it big. But what about those left in the middle? The Best of Manchester is a chance for Manchester to recognise and support its creative professionals when they need it most - when they're on the verge of making it to the next level of their career."
The competition runs until 30 June. The exhibition of shortlisted entrants' work opens on 8 August (until 28 September), with the winners announced by Peter Saville at an awards ceremony on 7 August.
Entry to the competition is via the Urbis website. Full details can be found at www.urbis.org.uk/bestofmanchester
(Claire Beeson)
