Sir John Hurt art prize opens for entries with increased prize money

As the Holt Festival enters its 10th year, the Sir John Hurt Art Prize and Sworders Prize have increased their prize money for artists, following a record number of entries last year.  

With the pandemic seeing cancellations and postponements for exhibitions and workshops, many artists have found inspiration to be hard to come by at times. 

The festival will see the Sir John Hurt Art Prize increase to £2,000, with the Sworders Prize offering a £500 prize for 16 to 18-year-olds and £750 for 19 to 23-year-olds. 

The winner of the Sir John Hurt Art Prize will be displayed at The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts and the 19 to 23-year-old winner of the Sworders Prize will be offered an exhibition at The Gallery in Holt. 

Sir John Hurt spent many years of his life in North Norfolk. Whilst known for his roles such as as Mr Ollivander in Harry Potter, he was a large supporter of Sheringham Little Theatre and the chancellor of Norwich University of the Arts. 

One of last year’s judges and past winner of the Sovereign European Art Prize, Susan Gunn, said: “The quality and standard of entries increases year-on-year, with entries from regional and nationally renowned artists and amateur practitioners too. I look forward to seeing how the prize develops."

The online entries are open now and close on June 20. Shortlisted entries will be displayed at The Adrian Hill Gallery in Holt from the July 24, with winners being announced on the July 25.