31 March 2010 Eastbourne’s new contemporary art museum is calling on the people of Sussex to get behind it and vote Towner for the chance to win the £100,000 Art Fund Prize 2010, the UK’s largest single arts prize.
Towner is one of 11 institutions long-listed for the prestigious prize and the only museum in Sussex to be in the running to receive the award later this year.
Recognising a museum or gallery completed in the last year that demonstrates originality, imagination and excellence, Towner, housed in a dramatic new building and offering major exhibitions and public programmes, has positioned itself as a leading arts centre to be considered for this year’s Art Fund Prize.
With public voting now open online at the Art Fund Prize website, Towner is calling on residents and visitors across Sussex to show their support for the region’s most exciting new arts museum and help it on its way to this significant prize.
Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Susan Morris said “We are extremely excited and privileged that Towner has been recognised for the country’s largest and most prestigious arts prize. The last 12 months have been a real whirlwind for Eastbourne as an emerging cultural destination with the eagerly anticipated opening of Towner in April followed by plenty of encouraging feedback from visitors to our new gallery, the critically acclaimed Dark Monarch exhibition and a successful workshop and outreach programme.
“I’m sure that it’s a combination of all of these factors that helped the Judges to recognise originality, imagination and excellence in Towner and we now just need the whole of Sussex, as well as visitors from further afield, to do their bit and cast their votes for Towner in the online poll!”
Towner made the long list after being selected by a panel of Judges chaired this year by broadcaster Kirsty Young who recently visited Towner. With the long list usually comprising just ten institutions, this year it has been extended to allow an 11th entry, testament to the high quality and volume of applications received.
Voting is open online through the Art Fund Prize 2010 website until 7 May when the long-list will be whittled down to a final shortlist.
Housed in an iconic new building in the heart of Eastbourne’s cultural quarter next to the resort’s premier theatre and in front of the historic Devonshire Park, Towner offers a range of purpose built spaces that enable it to operate as a regional centre of excellence for the visual arts, showcasing major contemporary and historical exhibitions alongside changing displays from the permanent Towner collection.
The £100k Prize is sponsored by the UK’s leading independent art charity, The Art Fund and aims to increase public appreciation and enjoyment of the UK’s museums and galleries.
To vote Towner for the 2010 Art Fund Prize got to the Art Fund Prize website before 7 May and for those who want to visit Towner and see the museum for themselves, find out about what’s on including the brand new FREE Underwater and East Sussex Open exhibitions online at Visit Eastbourne.
