Bath Spa University has said it is delighted with a new partnership with the Trinity Buoy Wharf Trust to deliver the annual Drawing Prize, led by its founding Director, Professor Anita Taylor.
The exhibition will now become known as the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize after seventeen years of support from the Jerwood Charitable Foundation and identity as Jerwood Drawing Prize.
The Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize is the largest and longest running annual open exhibition for drawing in the UK and has established a reputation for its commitment to championing excellence, and for promoting and celebrating the breadth of contemporary drawing practice.
In offering emerging, mid-career and established artists a national platform to exhibit their work, the project has developed new insights into the role and value of drawing in creative practice today.
Between 2001 and 2017, the open call has attracted 43,974 entries and the annual exhibition over 360,500 visitors, underlining the importance of the Drawing Prize for audiences across, and beyond the contemporary visual arts.
Anita Taylor, Executive Dean at Bath School of Art and Design, said: “I am excited that the Trinity Buoy Wharf Trust has become the new sponsor of the Drawing Prize and, as it celebrates its twentieth anniversary, we are delighted that the Trust has chosen to celebrate drawing and creativity and to support artists and makers in the UK who value and champion the role of drawing within their practice.
“We look forward to working closely with Trinity Buoy Wharf Trust who share our exciting vision for the future of the Drawing Prize project.
“Trinity Buoy Wharf Trust is delighted to become the new sponsor of the Drawing Prize, and to join with Bath Spa University to promote artists’ endeavours and commitment to drawing.
Eric Sorenson, of the Trinity Buoy Wharf Trust, said: “The Trust works with a wide range of artists and creative businesses, and we look forward to working with Professor Anita Taylor, Bath Spa University and Parker Harris to maintain and develop the success of the Drawing Prize.”
Trinity Buoy Wharf is a thriving centre for the arts and creative industries with a rare community of over 500 like-minded people enjoying the unique riverside location.
Free from overdevelopment, the site’s fascinating history can still be seen in its buildings and installations. Current residents include the Royal Drawing School and The Big Draw.