Calling all Northern artists who specialise in sculpture! After the huge success of the New Light Art Prize, the first-ever New Light Sculpture Prize will be opening for entry on 1 January 2024.

Attracting artists who have links to Cheshire, Cumbria, Durham, Lancashire, Northumberland or Yorkshire, the prize is open to those who were either born, studied at degree or postgraduate degree level in an arts-based subject or currently live in these historic northern counties.

Part of the prestigious New Light Art Prize, this is the first year the New Light Sculpture Prize is open, welcoming talent from across the region to enter their very best 3D artworks, allowing artists previously prohibited from entering non-wall hung work to take part for the first time.

The New Light Art Prize exhibition will be opening at Bankside Gallery in London on 26 February.

The New Light Sculpture Prize is sponsored by The Biscuit Foundation and judged by their 3D Curator, Sam Waters. The winner will receive £1000 and the opportunity to showcase their work at The Biscuit Factory in Newcastle, which has a generous space to display the winning piece.

Sam Waters, Judge for the New Light Sculpture Prize and 3D Curator at The Biscuit Factory in Newcastle, says, “It feels particularly significant to be able to offer another aspect to the New Light prize.

Opportunities for artists working in sculpture are perhaps even more scarce than those available to artists working in other media, so it is a great privilege to contribute to raising the profile of this art form.

We’re looking forward to seeing a breadth of work from artists engaging with sculpture in a new and illuminating way.”

The sculptures can be large and freestanding, plinth-based or suspended, and the final day for entries is 30 March 2024. The winner will have their work shown on display in front of a huge audience of art enthusiasts coming to the gallery from 29 June until 22 September 2024.

Artists can enter online through newlight-art.org.uk. They can enter as many pieces of art as they like, with the first entry being £15, the second and subsequent pieces being £10. All requested information must be completed before 29 March 2024 to be considered for entry.

Rebekah Tadd, Development Director at New Light, says, “We are very excited to be launching the New Light Sculpture Prize. This will add a new dimension to the exhibition for visitors and enable us to showcase 3D artists from across the north alongside the shortlisted 2D artworks.

There are a huge number of talented sculptors across the region, and we are delighted to be able to work with The Biscuit Factory to provide this opportunity.”

Established in 2010, New Light is a charity that celebrates and promotes both well-known and emerging artists by offering some of the region’s best awards and opportunities.